Become a Thousand Star
Become one of our cherished Stars by committing to donate $5 (or more) a week for four years to support the Sarjeant Gallery Endowment Fund.
The Thousand Stars: Building the Legacy of the Sarjeant
Launched in 2014 the Thousand Stars initiative made it possible for any individual or family to play a meaningful role in the Sarjeant Gallery redevelopment project by contributing as little as $5 a week over four years.
As at the end of 2021, 365 people signed up to be a Star. Not only does this mean these people have a stake in the project but it has also allowed the gallery to report that this number of families and individuals have actively supported and contributed to the Sarjeant Gallery redevelopment project. This grass roots support has proved invaluable when the Sarjeant Trust made applications to Government, Trusts and other groups seeking further funding.
In 2020 the Sarjeant Gallery redevelopment project reached a significant funding milestone thanks to a Central Government grant of $12million announced by then Minister Shane Jones on July 2, 2020.
It was at this point the Thousand Stars moved to the next phase of fundraising support for the Sarjeant Gallery and began making contributions towards the Sarjeant Endowment Fund.
As publicly stated, the original intention was for the Thousand Stars to “raise $1 million over four years towards the redevelopment project – and looking beyond that, to provide an ongoing base of support for acquisitions and major exhibitions at the Sarjeant” The fund was about “building a strong financial base for the Gallery’s future development and enhancing its collections”
The Sarjeant Gallery Endowment Fund
An endowment fund is commonly established by galleries, libraries, archives and museums to pay for all the things that happen inside the institution. At the Sarjeant Gallery, the endowment fund will attend to:
- supporting the acquisition of works
- creating major exhibitions
- collection conservation work
- securing national and international touring shows
- producing education courses and opportunities
- supporting partnerships, and knowledge and expertise sharing
The Sarjeant Gallery Endowment Fund will be essential for the delivery of a world class programme and it will populate the Sarjeant with the content that will inspire, engage, educate and entertain the people of Whanganui, the region, New Zealand and ultimately our visitors from all over the world.
Each individual Thousand Star financial goal is $1000 over 4 years. Receipts will be sent at the end of every tax year (or on request).
To become a Thousand Star please email info@sarjeant.org.nz and to receive your unique ‘star’ ID number for your direct debit payments.
