Ponsonby's Objectspace gallery seeks partners for big boost to country's creative economy

An artist's impression of how the Rose Rd, Ponsonby, site in Auckland could look like when it becomes Objectspace's new home.

When the exhibition Susan Holmes: Fabric Artist finishes at Objectspace in February, the 12 year old gallery will shut the doors to its Ponsonby Rd premises for the final time.

But the closure signals the start of big plans for the organisation, one of New Zealand's only venues specialising in exhibiting craft, applied art and design. Director Kim Paton and its board, led by Ben Corban, want to raise $500,000 for a new centre.

Ms Paton says extra space is needed to keep pace with the "incredible growth" of craft, design and architecture in New Zealand.

Kim Paton, Objectspace's new director.

"The size of the organisation has effectively doubled at a time when the interest in craft and design-based practice, including architecture, graphic design and industrial design, has grown significantly," she says. "A broad and diverse visual culture is emerging which needs a distinct home of its own."

Arts funding organisation Creative New Zealand has increased Objectspace's annual funding by 75 per cent - $200,000 per year - but extra money is needed to undertake the expansion programme.

Community trusts, businesses and individuals have been approached for donations which range from $100,000 for potential naming rights to $300 for those wanting to make a one-off contribution.

Paton hopes architect Richard Naish can transform a site at 13 Rose Rd, Ponsonby into a new gallery with four exhibition spaces and a multi-use public programme area. She describes the creation of a bigger dedicated space for craft, design and architecture as a significant cultural move, but also an economic one because it will help to grow the country's creative economy.

Extra and more modern space means Objectspace can offer more training and support to makers, designers, writers and curators; expand its services to include publishing, online archiving and displays; offer more exhibitions - some of which could tour nationally - and a greater number of public programmes.

"We believe in the work of makers, designers and architects. We believe we need a dedicated space to showcase the work that they do."