Staff recruitments keep MTG director busy

Laura Vodanovich,

Sitting at my desk surrounded by ever-growing mountains of paperwork, a full email inbox and an extensive to-do list, I'm wondering what on earth has happened to get me in this state.

It's been two weeks now since our latest displays opened so it certainly hasn't been to do with those, so what's been going on?

Looking back at my diary I can see that we've been discussing and debating some potential new collection items, consolidating the collections in off-site storage to be more space efficient, and finalising details of the exhibition schedule over the summer months.

I've been to theft prevention training, shortlisted candidates for a maternity replacement position, planned ways to cover an extended leave period for one of the educators, and completed performance reviews.

A lot of time has been spent finalising staff recruitments, related paperwork and preparing for the arrival of our new staff members.

This week Sarah Stroud joined us in the new Community Programmes and Events role. I can already see that she's going to be a fabulous addition to the museum and take our events and public programmes to new heights.

Next week our Māori Engagement person starts, followed the week after by our Graphic Designer and Visitor Engagement Coordinator.

After what seems like a lifetime we'll be close to a full complement of staff again which will, I hope, reduce the chaos and pressure in my office.

We're also heading into the busy season with lots of planning and organising around Christmas and summer functions.

A major event in our upcoming calendar is the next free entry day, on Saturday November 26th, which has been scheduled to coincide with both the Diwali Festival and the Santa Parade.

Santa's sleigh will be back on the forecourt again prior to the parade starting at 12.30pm, and Santa himself will be at the museum from 10am - 12pm for children to visit.

We particularly wanted to link our free day with Diwali as the Tiffany Singh and Jo Blogg art installations are inspired by this festival of lights. We do hope you will take this opportunity to visit the museum for free and see what's new in our gallery spaces.

The final exhibition for the year, Out Of The Box: Highlights from the Fine Art Collection, opens to the public on the December 3.

This exhibition is a huge logistical exercise, with over 240 works from the fine art collection to be hung on the walls from floor to ceiling. It's also a great way to share the strength and breadth of the trust's collection held on behalf of the Hawke's Bay community.

On a personal front, like many, I've been mesmerised by the United States presidential election and stayed glued to the TV and social media for longer than normal.

I'm wondering how history will record this moment and upcoming period of time - what will museums in the US collect to tell this story for future generations?

I've also had three days off work for my son's prizegiving and graduation dinner and voila there you are - chaos at the work desk! With the new staff coming on board, however, I can certainly see some light at the end of the tunnel.

*Tomorrow, Sunday 13 November, last day for Petrus van der Velden: Art of Two Halves exhibition
*Fabulous new children's range available at the museum shop.
*Saturday 19 November from 8pm, The Lady Killers - Live and Kicking. Tickets $45 available from Ticketek or the Municipal Theatre.
*Sunday 20 November from 2pm, The Lady Killers - Live and Kicking. Tickets $35 available from Ticketek or the Municipal Theatre.
*Laura Vodanovich is the director of the Museum Theatre Gallery (MTG) Hawke's Bay.