06 Sep PGF announcement on the Sarjeant Gallery’s 100th birthday
Parlimentary Under-Secretary Fletcher Tabuteau announces the PGF funding on Sept 6 inside the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6 September 2019
Chairman of the Sarjeant Gallery Trust Nicola Williams says news that the Sarjeant Redevelopment project has secured Provincial Growth Funding is the best possible way to celebrate the Gallery’s 100th anniversary.
She says the $12million grant, which was announced by Parliamentary Under-Secretary Fletcher Tabuteau during a formal public ceremony at Pukenamu Queen’s Park on Friday September 6, has enabled the project to get underway almost immediately as planned and secure the future of the Sarjeant Gallery and its nationally significant Collection for the next 100 years.
Whanganui District Council released a press release today which can be read in full here.
Ms Williams says the Provincial Growth Fund grant recognises the potential economic, social, educational and cultural benefits that the redeveloped Sarjeant Gallery will be able to provide to the region of Whanganui.
“I would like to acknowledge the community of Whanganui and the multitude of supporters around New Zealand and further afield in the UK, Europe and America who have been unwavering in their backing for the project.
“Thank you to each and every one of you for your support for the Sarjeant Trust’s fundraising and friend-raising efforts over many years.”
She also paid tribute to Greg Anderson, Director of the Sarjeant Gallery and his team for their outstanding work in relocating the Collection and maintaining a high standard of professionalism in the temporary gallery premises with a number of award winning exhibitions.
“I also wish to thank Whanganui District Council for their caretaking of the gallery over the past century, and in particular the work done in the past eight years by elected members and staff to make the development a reality.”
Mr Anderson says “The future is now wide open. With the strength of a hundred years of collecting and exhibiting now behind the Sarjeant, we can use that as a basis from which to launch new ideas and partnerships; further enhanced community engagement and stronger iwi connections and collaborations. It was the intention of Henry Sarjeant that the Gallery be a source of inspiration for us all, and by following the examples of collaboration and leadership laid down by Sir Archie Taiaroa we will achieve this for our generation, and the generations to come.
“Having celebrated the last century of achievement, we are keenly looking forward to another hundred years of inspiration and celebrating the legacies of Henry Sarjeant and Sir Archie Taiaroa.”
The Sarjeant Gallery Redevelopment Project will see the 100 year old Sarjeant Gallery building at Pukenamu Queen’s Park earthquake strengthened and the construction of a new wing called Pataka o Sir Te Atawhai Archie John Taiaroa.
For further information or to arrange an interview with Chairman of the Sarjeant Gallery Trust Nicola Williams or Sarjeant Gallery Director Greg Anderson, please contact Jaki Arthur, Relationships Officer at the Sarjeant Gallery on jaki.arthur@sarjeant.org.nz or 027 577 4923