MTG Hawke's Bay facts for kids
MTG Hawke's Bay building
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| Former name | Hawke’s Bay Museum & Art Gallery |
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| Established | 1865 |
| Location | Napier, New Zealand |
| Type | Museum, theatre and art gallery |
| Founder | William Colenso, Henry Hill and Augustus Hamilton |
MTG Hawke's Bay Tai Ahuriri is a cool place in Napier, New Zealand. It's a museum, a theatre, and an art gallery all in one! That's why it's called MTG. The building you see today was made new in 2013.
Contents
History of MTG Hawke's Bay
Early Beginnings
The first building on this spot was built in 1865. It was a place for learning and culture, like a library and a community center. A group called the Hawke's Bay Philosophical and Mechanic's Institute used this building. They shared ideas about art and science. Important people like William Colenso, Henry Hill, and Augustus Hamilton helped start these early groups.
Rebuilding After the Earthquake
In 1931, a big earthquake hit Hawke's Bay. It damaged many of the items in the collections. But the building itself was one of the few that stayed standing! The earthquake showed everyone how important it was to have a special building. This new place would keep the region's treasures safe.
So, in 1936, a new building was finished. People in the Hawke's Bay community helped raise money for it. James Augustus Louis Hay was the architect who designed it. Leonard Bestall became the first honorary director of the new Hawke's Bay Art Gallery and Museum. Many kind gifts of money helped the museum get more items. These gifts even paid for a painting called Renaissance by Roland Hipkins.
Growing the Collections
After Bestall passed away in 1959, many different directors took over. Each one added their own special interests to the museum. James Munro became director in 1959. He focused on getting a strong collection of beautiful art pieces. He wanted the museum to do even more for the community. This led to building the Century Theatre in 1977. The theatre was named because it was 100 years since Napier became a city. It was designed by Guy Natusch and was a place for concerts.
In 1980, Robert McGregor became the director. He worked on making the storage areas better for the museum's collections. In 1984, some amazing Māori treasures (called taonga) from the museum were part of a special exhibition. This exhibition, called Te Māori, traveled to big museums in America.
Modern Changes
In 2006, the Napier City Council started managing the museum. Douglas Lloyd Jenkins became the director. The museum's name changed to Hawke's Bay Museum & Art Gallery. A group called the Hawke's Bay Museums Trust was also re-formed. This Trust now holds the museum's collections for everyone in the community.
In July 2010, the museum closed for a big three-year project. They wanted to make it even better! The new MTG Hawke's Bay opened on September 21, 2013. It includes the two older buildings and a new part designed by architect Richard Daniels. The building even won two awards for its design!
What You Can See
The museum's collection is looked after by the Hawke's Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Tā-ū-rangi. The art collection has works by famous artists from New Zealand. These include Rita Angus, Roland Hipkins, Jenny Campbell, Avis Higgs, Frank Carpay, Joan Trollope, and Walter Bowring.
The museum also has many important historical items. These include old documents and records, items from nature like plants and animals, and everyday items from the past. You can also see old clothes and fabrics, Māori treasures, and items from different cultures around the world.
