History
In 1999 the former Bank of New Zealand building on the corner of Willow
and Wharf Streets was purchased by the Tauranga Art Gallery Trust
(TAGT), for the purpose of conversion to the Tauranga Art Gallery.
The Bank of New Zealand first opened in Tauranga on 23 October 1873 as an agent of the Auckland branch. In
| First Bank of New Zealand, 1931 |
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Reconstructed Bank of New Zealand, 1964 |
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Tauranga Art Gallery, 2007 |
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Inside Tauranga Art Gallery |
In 1930 a new Bank of New Zealand was built on this site. Constructed of concrete with blue gum piles the interior was an elegant mix of wood panels and leadlight window screens.
By the early 1960s the building was found to be inadequate and plans were drawn up by local architects Johnston & Denniston for the modernist glass curtain building. Construction began in October 1962, with the bank officially opened in July 1964. Interestingly, it was the first building in Tauranga to have air-conditioning.
The building was a two-storey structure of reinforced concrete floor and foundations, plastered concrete exterior and has undergone a number of extensions and alterations over the last four decades. Elements of the 1964 building such as the white exterior tiles, columns and the bank vault remain in place today.
The BNZ sold the building to the TAGT in 1999 for $1.7m with funds from the [former] Tauranga District Council and the Vanetta Miles Estate.
Further capital funding was made available from the Ray (Urania) Macmillan Estate and the Joy Owens Trust. The TAGT also raised capital from individuals, groups and trusts in the Tauranga and Bay of Plenty community.
In May 2003, Mitchell and Stout Architects Ltd were engaged to undertake the design for the refurbishment of the BNZ into the Tauranga Art Gallery. The architects comment:
“The old building with its banking hall, vault and upper storey, offered an excellent range of exhibition spaces to the new gallery. Few structural alterations had to be made to the building, but it was completely sheathed with insulated panels and given new windows and linings. This was done to meet the stringent thermal, lighting and display standards of modern international art galleries.”
(Julian Mitchell 8 May 2007)
In January 2006, the contract to refurbish the former BNZ building was awarded to Watts and Hughes Construction, Waikato/Bay of Plenty Ltd. Construction was completed in May 2007.
Tauranga Art Gallery was officially opened by Prime Minister Helen Clark on 20 October 2007.
The building provides 1,300 square metres of floor space, over two levels, with 700 square metres of exhibition space.
The Gallery Spaces
A total of 700 square metres of exhibition space has been created.The Atrium
The Atrium is the largest and most public of the spaces, and can be hired for functions after hours. It has been specifically designed for large scale artist projects and as a space for recitals, musical events and private functions.
The Vault is a small gallery in the old bank vault. The concrete walls have been retained giving a space that is ideal for installations, boutique exhibitions and new media.
The Cube
A 5.5 metre square gallery that is used for new media (moving image) work and installations.
Education Studio
This space is used for school groups and lectures. It can also act as an exhibition gallery.
Tauranga Art Gallery Trust
The Gallery is governed by the Tauranga Art Gallery Trust (TAGT). The Trust was formed in 1998 with the vision to establish a public art gallery to enhance the cultural life of the region.The TAGT is a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) of the Tauranga City Council but remains an autonomous Charitable Trust. The Gallery is managed by the Director, who reports to the Trust Board.
Collections
The TAGT does not have an acquisitions budget but will accept gifts of art that are significant to the region and/or of national interest.The TAGT holds a substantial collection of work by New Zealand artist Edward Bullmore (1933-78). Other gifts to the Trust have included works by John Gully, Robin White, Betty Wishart, Barbree Gummer and Nigel Brown.
The TAGT holds a small collection of original contemporary New Zealand prints by artists such as Nigel Brown, Michael Smither, Dick Frizzell, Jeffrey Harris, Barry Cleavin, June Ritchie, Marilyn Webb, Tom Burnett, Paul Chapman, Vanessa Reed, Stanley Palmer and Carole Shepherd.
Capital Costs
The complete refurbishment and fitout cost $5.9m. When added to the cost of the building purchase of $1.7m the total cost is $7.6m.Of this $2m of capital funding has been contributed by the Tauranga City Council (TCC).
© 2009