A campaign aimed at helping the keep the Suter Art Gallery open and accessible is hoping to attract 200 new supporters.
The Friends campaign is not a new concept and has helped support the Suter for years. But rising costs mean the gallery now needs extra help to keep the lights on and ensure arts education remains free for local tamariki.
“Our friends community supports our education programmes, our collection care, and they support keeping art free for everyone,” The Suter's Lia-Arorangi says.
She says the gallery has faced rising costs without a corresponding increase in funding.
The gallery receives less than $1 million in funding each year, but with operating costs now at $1.44 million, it must fill a $480,000 shortfall to keep its doors open.
Almost 5000 tamariki visit the gallery each year through its education programmes at no cost to schools or students.
“That arts education is so primary in building a thriving community through the whole of Whakatū because it educates in creativity and creative thinking,” Lia-Arorangi says.
“The Ministry funds part of our educators' wages; the Suter covers roughly a third of that cost itself, so we can meet demand from schools and keep education free. The gallery also pays for all materials used in workshops and school visits – paint, clay, paper, and other supplies – which comes to about $30,000 per year,” she says.
The gallery's collection numbers in the thousands and up to 90,000 visitors come through the doors each year.
“There are some key pieces in there that hold so much history for the whole region, and they really show us where we've come from and where we're going.”
The collection includes an artwork of Huria Matenga and historic works ranging from the 18th century through to pieces by contemporary artists.
“Every work that enters the collection is a long-term responsibility. It needs to be documented, researched, stored, conserved and cared for, and made available to the public.
“Our funding cannot be used for the collection's care, display, or ongoing maintenance – conservation, climate control, storage, insurance, and the day-to-day work of keeping the collection intact and accessible. That work is funded separately and requires ongoing support.”
Lia-Arorangi says the gallery has consistently cut staffing and worked to reduce costs during the past four years, but it’s not enough.
For as little as $2 a week, residents can sign up to become a Friend of the Suter and help ensure the enduring life of the collection.
“Arts and the mana of the arts really need to be protected, and that's a collective kaitiakitanga through the whole community. It's a collective responsibility, so we're putting that call out for the duty of collective care to our whole whānau.
“This is about building a long-term sustainability, a long-term community and long-term relationships.”
To become a Friend of the Suter, visit thesuter.org.nz/friends.
