MEDIA RELEASE – 23 Dec. 2010

- Look Forward to an Exciting New Year –
-
Art Museum to be re-sited to Town Basin

In February 1996 the Whangarei District Council formally adopted a report by art consultant Scott Pothan finally establishing a fully professional public art museum in the current Cafler Park building. The Whangarei Borough Council had actually voted for a public art gallery in 1935 but this had never eventuated in the intervening 60 years. Almost exactly fifteen years on the new council have now agreed to re-site the art museum to the Town Basin as part of a cultural hub for the Rugby World Cup in 2011.

"Significant Funding Grants Awarded"

The art museum is also pleased to announce significant funding grants awarded in the past month: from the NZ Lottery Environment and Heritage $12,000 and $6,000; from the Oxford Sports Trust and form the ASB Trust's Arts and Culture Fund $22,000 for a new state of the art 'interactive' website with Collection research facilities, On-line collection exhibitions, Widgets to download to keep you informed plus much, much more.

“Major Touring Exhibitions Secured for 2011”

The art museum is pleased to able to bring to Whangarei several major exhibitions to celebrate an exceptional year including three for the 2011 exhibition schedule: Ceramics - Ann Verdcourt - A Survey Toured by Te Manawa Trust and developed by Te Manawa, Palmerston North and Sarjeant Gallery, Wanganui plus the much praised Te Papa Tongarewa Touring exhibition Rita Angus- Selected Works and the exhibition Hard on the Heels which catalogues over 40 years of All Black history in the compelling photographs of Peter ‘ Bushy’ Bush.

© Scoop Media