"There is no doubt in my mind that Len Lye is an extraordinary artist and national icon. A Len Lye Centre would become a major cultural attraction for both New Plymouth and New Zealand." Dr Seddon Bennington, Chief Executive, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
Of the 64,000 people that come to New Plymouth's Govett-Brewster Art Gallery each year, a significant number request to see Len Lye's work. To meet this demand while enhancing the visibility and preservation of the large and fragile collection, New Plymouth District Council has agreed to fund the running costs of a proposed Len Lye Centre.
Funds for the acquisition and construction of the centre, estimated at $10 million, would be raised outside of local authority sources. The annual net operating cost of the Len Lye Centre is projected at $683,000, with the expectation of significant returns to the community.
The centre would guarantee consistent access to Lye's work and see New Plymouth become the world centre for the care, display, research and development of the works and ideas of this extraordinary thinker and visionary artist. The centre would be a significant cultural attraction for New Zealanders and international visitors alike.
"The centre would attract domestic and international visitors to New Plymouth and has the potential to boost the city's creative economy" Bill Macnaught, Manager Puke Ariki
The preferred site for the Len Lye Centre is in central New Plymouth, on the corner of Devon St West and Queen St, adjacent to the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery. This site acknowledges the long association between Len Lye and the gallery, and maximises the benefits of shared facilities, services and staff.
Plans for New Zealand’s only single artist museum include a programme of dynamic exhibitions showing the full range of Lye’s work in sculpture, painting, film, photography and creative writing. The inclusion of a cinema to show Lye’s work alongside other independent filmmakers is planned as well as online access to the whole of Lye’s archives will also be made available. The Len Lye Foundation also has a commitment to developing a series of major works as part of this vision.
Len Lye Committee Chair, Barry Finch comments: “With the Council’s support we can now move forward with the Len Lye Centre project and ensure New Plymouth becomes the world centre for the care, display, research and development of the works and ideas of Len Lye, an extraordinary thinker and visionary artist.”
The Len Lye Foundation in partnership with the New Plymouth District Council and museum leadership from the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery are key to the development of the Len Lye centre. Currently work is being done to secure public and private investment and a rigorous fundraising campaign to build the centre is in its early development stages.
Len Lye Centre frequently asked questions
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