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 fantastic 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 updated in 2013 and is made up of three connected parts.
Contents
History of MTG Hawke's Bay
Early Beginnings: 1865
The story of MTG Hawke's Bay began way back in 1865. The very first building on this site was called an "athenaeum." This was a special place for people in Hawke's Bay to learn and enjoy culture.
A group called the Hawke's Bay Philosophical and Mechanic's Institute used this building. They shared new ideas about art and science. Important people like William Colenso, Henry Hill, and Augustus Hamilton helped start these early learning places.
Surviving the Earthquake
In 1931, a big earthquake hit Hawke's Bay. It caused a lot of damage to the collections inside the institute. But the building itself was one of the few that stayed standing!
This earthquake showed everyone that Hawke's Bay really needed a strong, purpose-built museum and art gallery. It was important to keep the region's valuable treasures safe.
A New Building for Art and History
In 1936, a brand new building was constructed. The money for it came from people in the Hawke's Bay community. Architect James Augustus Louis Hay designed this new space.
Leonard Bestall became the first honorary director of the new Hawke's Bay Art Gallery and Museum. Many generous gifts helped the museum grow its collection. These gifts even paid for a famous painting called Renaissance by Roland Hipkins.
Growing the Collections and Adding a Theatre
After Leonard Bestall passed away in 1959, many different directors led the museum. Each one added their own special interests to the collections and buildings.
James Munro became director in 1959. He focused on collecting beautiful decorative art objects. He also believed the museum should do more for the community. This led to the building of the Century Theatre in 1977.
The Century Theatre
The theatre was named to celebrate 100 years of the city of Napier. It was designed by a modern architect named Guy Natusch. This theatre became a popular place for concerts and performances.
In 1980, Robert McGregor became the director. He worked on improving the storage areas for the museum's collections. In 1984, some special Māori treasures, called taonga, from the museum were part of a big exhibition. This exhibition, called Te Māori, traveled to famous museums in America.
Modernizing for the Future
In 2006, the Napier City Council took over managing the Hawke's Bay Museum. Douglas Lloyd Jenkins was appointed director, and the name changed to Hawke's Bay Museum & Art Gallery.
The Hawke's Bay Museums Trust was also re-formed. This Trust now holds all the museum's collections for the benefit of the community.
The Big Renovation
In July 2010, the Hawke's Bay Museum & Art Gallery closed its doors. It was time for a huge three-year renovation project! The new MTG Hawke's Bay facility officially opened on September 21, 2013.
This new building connects the two older buildings with a brand new section. Architect Richard Daniels designed this new part. The building even won two awards for its design in New Zealand!
What You Can See: The Collections
The amazing collections at MTG Hawke's Bay are looked after by the Hawke's Bay Museums Trust, Ruawharo Tā-ū-rangi.
Art Collection
The fine arts collection includes artworks by famous New Zealand artists. You can see pieces by Rita Angus, Roland Hipkins, Jenny Campbell, Avis Higgs, Frank Carpay, Joan Trollope, and Walter Bowring.
Historical Treasures
The museum also has many important historical items. These include old documents, natural history specimens (like plants and animals), and objects that show how people lived in the past.
You can also find beautiful Taonga Māori objects, which are treasures from Māori culture. There are also costumes and textiles, and a collection of items from different cultures around the world.
