The Gallery will close its doors as the City’s public art gallery on 16 June, 2002, with the new Christchurch Art Gallery due to formally open in April 2003.The Council intends to retain ownership of the building.

The Canterbury Museum has already made a formal approach to the City Council to use the McDougall as an extension to the museum complex. It wants to use the space to display a significant portion of the collections currently in storage because of lack of space.

Future uses have also been discussed with the direct descendants of Robert McDougall.The family has confirmed a desire for wide community use of the building to continue.

Discussions have also taken place informally with a number of interested heritage groups and representatives of Friends of the Botanic Gardens.

City Council property manager Rob Dally says any decision made will be following consultation with the community.

“The Council has resolved to seek the views of the public by calling for submissions on alternative compatible uses, as well as on the museum proposal.”

Compatible uses refer to the special character of the building. The Group One-listed heritage building is a purposebuilt art gallery whose exhibition spaces have not been altered since construction more than 70 years ago. An administration wing, the Canaday Wing was added in 1982. The building boasts 770m2 of high quality exhibition space. A conservation plan is in place, which protects the heritage features of the building and restricts any alterations.

Any change in use must also meet with Parliamentary approval. The original 1925 Act of Parliament allowed the Council to use the land for the purpose of an art gallery. The Council will draft a local bill for Parliamentary approval for wider use of the building, once it has heard and considered submissions.

A Council sub-committee will hear submissions on possible future uses in May. A draft bill will then be circulated to interested individuals and groups for consideration in July.A formal notification period will take place in September and 1925 the bill sent to Parliament in October.

Public submissions close at 4pm on Friday, 12 April, 2002 and should be addressed to Peter Mitchell, Legal Services Manager, Christchurch City Council, 163-173 Tuam Street. Please indicate on your written submission if you wish to speak before the sub-committee.

For further information on the legal process please contact Peter Mitchell on 941 8549. For further information on heritage issues please contact Christchurch City Council Senior Heritage Planner Jenny May on 941 8518. Further information can be found at www.ccc.govt.nz/consultation/mcdougall More information about the Robert McDougall Art Gallery building can be found at www.mcdougall.org.nz.

Facts and Stats

• The Robert McDougall Art Gallery is situated in the Botanic Gardens, behind the Canterbury Museum, at the corner of Worcester Boulevard and Rolleston Avenue, and opposite the Arts Centre.
• The Managing Director of Aulsebrooks and Co., Mr Robert E. McDougall gifted the Gallery to Christchurch City.
• The Gallery opened in 1932 with 160 paintings and sculptures.
• An administration wing was added in 1982.
• The building is listed as a Category One heritage item in the City Plan and is registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust Pouhere Taonga as a Categeory One Historic Place.