The 2020-21 year has presented extraordinary challenges for our country and our communities.
Covid-19 is a constant threat of the unknown making planning for the future difficult and demanding but making us more resilient to adaptation and change. With the closure of Te Papa from 20 March to 28 May 2020 all on site programmes, including the Foundation’s planned events, were temporarily suspended.
Covid-19 Te Papa reopening May 2020, 2020. Photo by Jo Moore. Te Papa (157908)
During this time, however, the Foundation continued with the Digital Learning Campaign which raised $26,125.00, with amounts distributed to the Learning Team to support Hīnātori Learning Lab and the Raranga Matahiko Programme. Special thanks to the Withiel Charitable Fund for their generous contribution to this programme and for their ongoing support.
The Foundation remains focused on growing our donor base both here in New Zealand and in London to support Te Papa by building wealth and attracting donations and this year we received three generous donations all focused on Toi Art.
Our activities started in February 2021 with the hosting of an evening for our current donors and guests to view the World of WearableArt Up Close Exhibition. Stephen Blackburn, Head of Production for WOW, spoke about the exhibition and how this competition has evolved over the years. This event also gave guests private access to view The Web of Time by award-winning artist Chiharu Shiota.
Trustee Lyndsey Partridge (center) with husband Roger Partridge (left) and Director of Museum and Commercial Services, Ian Crowe at WOW - Up Close
A highlight for Founding and Major donors was the opportunity to attend an event at Government House in May hosted by our Patrons Dame Patsy Reddy and Sir David Gascoigne. This was a guided and personalized tour lead by Te Papa curators Dr Rebecca Rice and Justine Olsen, through Government House. It focused on the history of the Furniture and Art with personal comments added from Dame Patsy and Sir David.
Major donors Andrew Barnes and Charlotte Lockhart stand either side of Governor General, Dame Patsy Reddy at our Government House event
An outcome from this event was a $80,000 donation for the purchase of "That Vase" by Dame Robin White and we thank Chris and Kathy Parkin for this generous gift and for their support of the Foundation.
A series of Back of House tours covering a diverse range of areas have continued to be well supported and enjoyed by many. In September 2020 we hosted A Donkey’s Tail (Natalia Goncharova), November featured Jewellery, February 2021 we looked at the Rita Angus works and in March the exhibition A Web of Time by Chiharu Shiota.
In London two virtual Back of House events by Zoom were held for our UK Foundation supporters and a very big thank you to Louise Parkin in London and our NZ staff who organised these special events to keep people connected during the UK Covid-19 lockdown. Invitations were sent and platters of NZ wine and cheese were delivered to the participants. The first one was held in November and was titled Decoding Rita Angus’. Filmed in the heart of Te Papa’s conservation lab, Lizzie Bisley, Te Papa’s Modern Art Curator shared insights into these works from her recent research.
On this occasion $155,000 NZD was raised towards the purchase of Rita Angus’ Works on Paper and we would like to extend our sincere thanks to Kent Gardner and Paul and Gill Kendrick for their exceptionally generous pledges. The Foundations focus has been on supporting the purchase of these nationally important works and we are grateful to all those donors who have supported the Rita Angus campaign to date, bringing us closer to acquiring these works for the Te Papa’s national collection and in doing so ensuring they will be retained in New Zealand.
We are thrilled to announce that Pippa Lady Blake has taken on the role of UK Te Papa Foundation Ambassador and Whaea Esther Kerr-Jessop accepted the honorary role of Pou Tuara. As longtime supporters for both New Zealand and the UK Te Papa Foundation we are incredibly fortunate to have their guidance and support as we continue to grow the presence of the Foundation.
Above: Major Donor, Charlotte Lockhart with Trustee Dame Fran Wilde
The Foundation this year was able to assist with the sponsorship of two of Te Papa’s signature exhibitions – A Web of Time by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota and Surrealist Art: Masterpieces from Museum Boijmans. This exhibition is made up of 180 surrealist works, from paintings and photographs to books, sculpture and film. We are delighted to be able to support these exhibitions as part of our commitment to supporting the Arts at Te Papa.
Above: Visitors view Salvador Dalí’s Mae West Lips Sofa, 1938, in Te Papa’s Surrealist Art: Masterpieces from Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen exhibition. © Salvador Dalí, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí/VEGAP. Copyright Agency, 2021. Photo by Jo Moore, 2021 | Te Papa
