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Gallery survey
You are joking! A survey of 60 people conducted by the Invercargill Public Art Gallery, in the foyer of the Invercargill Public Library, (on one of our coldest days) then given profile and status by The Southland Times - even warranting comment from the chair of the Strategy for Southland’s on its outcome! Really?
If this is the same survey that was presented at the annual general meetng of the IPAG, it is one of the most unprofessional surveys I have ever encountered.
We were informed at that meeting that it was a survey of only 30 people, conducted by an employee of IPAG, in one small location, using questions developed by that organisation.
A professional and credible survey on an important issue like the collection of art from Anderson House, needs to be conducted by an independent organisation like SIT, and target a much wider catchment of people from across the city and Southland.
This is to avoid conflict of interest from the organisation seeking information. Questions need to deliver independent results and involve at least 1000 people from every social sector.
If this rudimentary survey is a measure of information used to drive relocation of a valuable art collection I fear for its future and the outcome. In spite of the negative information, given by several people at the annual general meeting of IPAG, on the atmospheric conditions, suitability and security of Anderson House to retain this significant art collection, we were informed that there has not been a recent condition report conducted on the collection still held there.
Again raising many concerns about the care given to this very important collection. Wherever the collection is located in the future, it needs to be done carefully, professionally, respectfully and with quality prudent evaluation, obviously this is not a priority thus far. MGMiller Invercargill
Collaborate please
Kathryn McCully’s thoughts (July 29) on the siting of Invercargill’s Public Art Gallery deserve a response and some clarifications.
I also invite Kathryn to work with us in ensuring our public collections become more accessible. The historic buildings that Kathryn referred to (ie Aigantighe, Settlers Museum) were only able to continue hosting its collections after substantial additions and costly refurbishment.
There is limited support for substantially changing Anderson House so that it can manage a growing art collection. I also cannot see why the house couldn’t still exhibit art once the necessary maintenance is completed and continue to be a wonderful place to visit.
All the public galleries that Kathryn listed are centrally located and the Southland Regional Development Strategy work supports that outcome, as do around 80 percent of the responses to The Southland Times poll.
It does not make sense for Invercargill’s public art collection to be situated on the city’s north boundary, some distance from south Invercargill and with no public transport connection.
It is important that those who value the arts in the city collaborate. That is why our gallery committee is working with the City Council, the Southland Museum, Venture Southland and the Southland Art Society and continues to engage with our wider community.
We have never ‘‘ceased operating’’ and continue to exhibit our collection despite the difficulties in doing so. Dave Kennedy President, Invercargill Public Art Gallery Society