Nelson’s Suter Art Gallery looks as if it will get a $12 million upgrade, beginning next year. Photo: Andrew Board.

Art gallery secures $2.3m govt grant

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Nelson’s historic Suter Art Gallery is expected to announce it has reached a fundraising total of $12 million at its AGM tomorrow, meaning it can proceed with an extensive upgrade of the gallery.

The gallery was granted $2.3 million from the government on Sunday, the second to last piece of a giant fundraising puzzle. The final piece – an application to the Lotteries Foundation – is expected to come through before tomorrow night’s AGM which will give the trust the $6 million it needed. Nelson City Council will match that with $6 million of ratepayers’ money.

Chair of the Suter Art Gallery Trust, Craig Potton, says the government announcement came as a “shock” but it was an “absolutely delightful” shock.

“We’re over the moon. The gallery is on a roll, we’re filling all the openings and growing our permanent collection so we’re bursting at the seams and the seams are falling apart anyway so we really need this upgrade.”

Craig says once the money is raised it will only take a few weeks to finalise design plans, which will then go out to tender. He expects work to begin in July or August next year.

“It will be the biggest art project in Nelson ever, just the sheer cost and size of it. We’re proud of the fact that Nelson people have responded positively. It’s been the ratepayers, the special interest arts people through their giving and the government.”

The latest grant, from the Regional Museums and Art Gallery Capital Fund, was awarded to The Suter on Sunday in a public presentation by Hon Chris Finlayson, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage.

Nelson mayor Rachel Reese says the grant is an incredible milestone that brings the gallery’s refurbishment one step closer to reality. “It is truly great news to receive a grant of this size. We were eligible for government funding thanks to the generous people of Nelson who have shown tremendous local support for the project. Clearly, The Suter is a community treasure that is valued.

“I’m sure I speak for all of Nelson when I say that I am looking forward to seeing construction start soon and this wonderful facility starting another facet of its life.”

Craig paid tribute to his committee and in particular Dame Ann Hercus, who headed up the fundraising for the project.  The Suter Art Gallery is the oldest continuously used art gallery in New Zealand.