McDougall Gallery may acquire more space

Press, 25 February 1987, Page 8

McDougall Gallery may acquire more space

Because of the urgent need for more exhibition space at the Robert McDougall Art Gallery it is likely to assume management of the Arts Centre Gallery. The Christchurch City Council’s cultural and community services commititee yesterday recommended that finance be provided to alter the Arts Centre Gallery for use by the Robert McDougall gallery.

The director of the Robert McDougall gallery, Mr John Coley, said the pressure oh the present display areas would be relieved by the extra space.

The problems of housing the present permanent collection of 3666 art works and at the same time presenting exhibitions had become acute, he said. Under the proposed structure smaller travelling exhibitions could be staged at the renamed Artspace Gallery and part of the permanent collection could be set up

as a narrative type exhibition.

Last year about 216,000 people visited the gallery. The public now expected stimulating imported exhibitions. The cost of alterations is estimated at $95,000 with the council’s share about $63,000. Total annual running costs of the new Artspace were estimated about $59,000.

The committee recommended that public sponsorship be sought and provision be made in the coming budget for the cost of Artspace. It also recommended that the two new positions of supervisor and assistant supervisor be filled.

Cr Clive Cotton was the only councillor to oppose the recommendation, saying the council had a commitment to keep rates as low as possible. He said the cost would be an unfair burden on ratepayers. Other councillors felt strongly that the alterations should go ahead. Cr

Linda Constable said she would be astounded if the council did not underwrite the proposal as the council’s role was not confined to providing drains and wiring but also included enriching people’s lives. Mr Coley also sought three additional staff members for the Robert McDougall gallery — a registrar, photographerdesigner, and security attendant

The total cost of salaries would be about

$63,000, he said. He emphasised that a registrar was vital and said the workload on the 12 existing staff was excessive.

“We are like a V 8 engine running without one cylinder,” he said.

The committee voted to recommend that the three positions be created. The vote to create a registrar’s position was unanimous. Cr Cotton voted against a photographer-designer, and the vote to appoint a security attendant was 5-3 in favour.