Opinion: Future for Te Manawa Art Gallery

John Fowke.

Palmerston North is about to hold a community-wide discussion about the future home of art, science and history.

Te Manawa is made up of nine buildings — some leak, some are earthquake-prone, our exhibition spaces are too small to hold host international exhibitions, and we're having to rent storage space.

Thankfully, the art, history and science communities in Palmerston North are passionate about creating a solution to bring pride to our city through the development of Te Manawa 2025 (TM2025).

At present, we are refurbishing the 41-year-old Art Gallery. We are fixing leaks, replacing the floor, removing asbestos and a whole host of other work.

The Art Gallery will reopen in stages next year. While it won't look too much different, it will be an improved environment that will help safeguard the art collection that was created by the generosity of Palmerstonians, as well as visiting exhibitions.

Sadly, some mistruths have been circulating. So, for the record:

■The Art Gallery is not closing — it is being refurbished.

■Numbers through the doors are not dropping — they have been stable at more than 20,000 people every year for the past five years.

■No collections are being sold.

■No decision has been made to demolish the Art Gallery as part of TM2025.

■Te Manawa takes the storage, display and preservation of our collections seriously.

■Te Manawa is well aware of the importance of the collections in its care and its standing in New Zealand.

■Exhibitions are being booked for 2019 once the Art Gallery reopens.

While the refurbishment is under way, Te Manawa will talk with residents from all walks of life about TM2025 — an ambitious seven-year journey to create a new home.

We want a facility that will better protect our collections and larger gallery spaces to allow us to showcase more of it.

TM2025 is working with the Art Society, the Museum Society and the Science Society.
Rangitāne stands with us, and the project has the support of Palmerston North City Council.

Council has asked us to consider two options for the future — a national powerhouse or a regional asset.

The Board of Te Manawa is committed to creating an open and accessible space that leads the way in terms of sustainability and attracts more people for generations to come.

To find out more visit temanawa.co.nz and sign up for our newsletter.