Chairman's Report

We have pleasure in presenting the Annual Report for the Trust for the year ending March 31, 2010. There were no art acquisitions during the year and Trust Funds increased by $378,678 to $6,377,551. A solid performance in a very volatile investment climate.

The redevelopment of the Auckland Art Gallery is now nearing completion and the scale and quality of the redeveloped Gallery can now be appreciated. The Gallery is going to be a fantastic asset for the people of Auckland and the Gallery's collection will be able to be appreciated in an exciting and conducive environment. The Trust has committed to contribute to the Capital raising campaign and to sponsor a major work to celebrate the opening of the redeveloped Gallery.

Voyager, New Zealand Maritime Museum completed its Blue Water Black Magic project and the redeveloped Edmiston Gallery and these were both opened last year. Again this was an exciting development and one, which we were very proud to be involved in. The public feed back to the changes at the Museum and the museum in general have been very positive.

All the works in the Domain Sculpture Walk are back in situ with the Greer Twiss Graftings having been replaced following their theft in 2008.

Auckland City has been active in the last two years developing the vision and plans for outdoor public art in the city. Exciting concepts have been developed and possible ‘precincts’ identified. The Trust has maintained a good liason with the Managers of the Programme and the Council staff involved and expects that this will lead to an involvement in some of the projects in coming years.

We acknowledge Jane Sanders, our art coordinator, for her energy, enthusiasm and hard work, and appreciate her involvement.

There have been changes to the Trust since the end of the year with the retirement from the Board of Laurie Mayne and John King and we thank them for their significant contribution to the Trust. Laurie and John have been replaced by Chris Darlow and John Avery and we welcome them to the Board.

D.A. Clark, Chairman.
August 2010