Gallery gears up to deliver Paradigm Shift Plan

Media Release 11 May 2006 2 pages

Gallery gears up to deliver Paradigm Shift Plan

The Christchurch Art Gallery is proposing to realign its organisational structure to deliver the Gallery’s new Vision and the Paradigm Shift Plan.

Christchurch City Council General Manager Community Services Stephen McArthur announced the proposal to staff this morning, saying he was confident that what was proposed would foster a positive environment at the Gallery in which team work and creativity would flourish.

Mr McArthur first signalled the proposed change last December following a peer review of the Gallery which identified the need to increase visitor numbers.

“It has taken a little longer than first expected to finalise the proposed new structure but it has been important to spend time looking at all the options, gather feedback and reflect on the work being done by the Paradigm Shift team.”

He said the realignment of the Gallery’s organisational structure was paramount to ensure the Gallery could deliver the Paradigm Shift Plan, the framework that will guide the Gallery in the next five years to achieve its Key Performance Indicators (KPIs),

The Paradigm Shift Plan or Five-Year Strategic Plan is expected to be completed by the end of June.

Under today’s Change Proposal, two positions will be disestablished and four new positions created.

If adopted, a new Visitor Experience Team will be created, bringing together the current exhibitions, curatorial, programmes and education teams. Mr McArthur said this team would play a key role in developing educational public programmes, exhibitions, events and publications that would drive the Council-endorsed KPI of 400,000 visitors by 2009-10.

Also proposed is the establishment of a project management function at Management Team level to ensure staff work together more effectively and deliver the outcomes and the transfer of the two community arts adviser positions from the new Recreation and Sports Unit to the Art Gallery. “It is important to have the right resources in the right place,” he said.

“The Christchurch Art Gallery is entering an exciting next phase of development. We have a magnificent building, a significant collection that celebrates and preserves our legacy of artistic achievement and most importantly, a dedicated and professional staff and strongly supportive community.

“With the Paradigm Shift, there is a strong new Vision for the Gallery and with the proposed organisational realignment there is a new structure to support the Vision and the culture that will enable the Gallery to deliver the Paradigm Shift Plan.”

Staff submissions are open until 29 May on the proposed changes with a final decision expected to be announced in early June.

ENDS

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