Key Management Appointment made at new Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu

Unfettered public access to the arts is the driving force behind new Manager of Public Programmes, Hubert Klaassens' vision for the new Christchurch Art Gallery.

"Hubert has considerable knowledge of the workings of the Robert McDougall, returning to us with a wealth of experience from Wellington and, most recently as Manager at the Nelson Provincial Museum" says Director of the Robert McDougall Art Gallery, Tony Preston. "We're delighted to have Hubert on the team again."

Hubert is excited about the opportunity to help shape the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu experience. "It will be a wonderful community asset, with great potential to provide enjoyable art experiences for all."

The new facility will be a key contributor to the Gallery's overall success and Hubert believes New Zealand couldn't hope to offer a better environment in which to see local and international art, and "I believe it will offer one of the best Gallery experiences in Australasia", he said.

Providing more programmes for more people is Hubert's main aim. "To nearly double our visitor tally (to 400,000 per year) is a big undertaking. It will test traditional values, and require some lateral thinking and a lot of hard work to achieve. The challenge is to make our conventional programme more accessible, and to introduce new programmes and services which attract more people."

Hubert started as the new Manager of Public Programmes for the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu on Tuesday, 4th June, 2002.

For any additional information please contact:

Catrina McDiarmid
Christchchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu
Ph: 03 941 7991
Email: catrina.mcdiarmid@ccc.govt.nz