| The Gallery has established the Auckland Art Gallery Foundation -
a charitable trust whose principal aim is to raise the additional
capital required to support Auckland City's development of the Art
Gallery.
The Auckland Art Gallery Foundation will work with individuals,
trusts and
the corporate sector to encourage support for the development, and
will also organise major fundraising events and activities to support
the project.
Raising the money
The estimated cost of the development project is $96.4
million. The gallery's owner, Auckland City Council, has agreed to provide
funding of $33 million provisional upon the balance being raised from other
parties.
This project is the largest fundraising project of its kind in New Zealand.
It presents an ambitious goal to raise $63.4 million towards the development
costs.
Massive ASB Trusts Donation
to Auckland Art Gallery development project
The Auckland Art Gallery development project has received a massive boost to its
capital campaign with a grant of $6.5 million from the ASB Trusts.
Auckland Art Gallery Foundation chairman John Judge says "we are all thrilled
and encouraged by this enormously generous contribution, which brings the total
donations to date to more than $15.5 million. It is hoped a grant of this
magnitude will not only demonstrate the Trusts’ belief and commitment to the
project, but will encourage other potential funders."
ASB Trusts' CEO Jennifer Gill says that Auckland Art Gallery is acknowledged as
a leading national art gallery and has the most significant New Zealand
collection in the country. "Our trustees knew that having the significant backing of the ASB Trusts as a
key regional funder would be of critical importance to the level to which other
funders come on board with this project. We are sure that this extra injection
of funds will make an immediate and significant difference to the success of the
project," Ms Gill says.
The $6.5 million Auckland Art Gallery allocation lifted the ASB Trusts'
total community group grants for the 2005 financial year to $55 million, $10
million more than in 2004.
The Mayor of Auckland City, Dick Hubbard, said "This is great news and
congratulations to the foundation on reaching this major milestone. This is an
important project for the city that is future-proofing the gallery for the
community it serves, as well as creating a place that inspires all New
Zealanders."
Gallery director Chris Saines said "I am delighted that ASB Trusts have seen fit
to revise and very generously expand their initial commitment to our project,
making them by far our most significant donor. Their confidence in the
development project gives me even more certainty that we are doing the right
thing in the right place at the right time. I am deeply grateful to the board
for their belief in this project."
The gallery is to undergo a multi-million dollar development which will increase
its size and create better linkages with Albert Park, as well as undertake
necessary earthquake-proofing and protection of an iconic heritage building.
The restoration and expansion of the building creates approximately fifty per
cent more space for exhibitions.
The $96.4 million project was announced in 2003 and now has a $33 million commitment by
Auckland City Council. Winning architects, trans-Tasman group FJMT+Archimedia, were
announced in late 2004, with preliminary designs launched in July 2005.
The gallery will move its operation to the New Gallery across the road,
temporarily, at the end of 2007 and restoration and building work is
expected to commence in early 2008.
Contributing to the Foundation
Enquiries about donations and sponsorship can be
directed to Liz Hauraki, Fundraising Manager on (09) 307 7700 or
gallery@aucklandartgallery.govt.nz
Keep updated
If you would like to receive regular updates on the fundraising campaign, please
email
gallery@aucklandartgallery.govt.nz and include the following in the subject
line: 'Art Gallery Foundation updates'.
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