Mercury Bay Museum Joins Campaign to Save Museums and Galleries.
Today Mercury Bay Museum joined a nationwide campaign to emphasise the value of
galleries and museums in Aotearoa New Zealand, and highlight the existential risks they’re
facing.
The campaign is a result of research by industry group Museums Aotearoa into the galleries
and museums that comprise its membership, who warn their ongoing viability is under threat.
“While Mercury Bay Museum is grateful to our council and supporters for the funding we receive, unfortunately, like many GALLERIES/MUSEUMS around New Zealand,
this is simply not enough to cover our ever-increasing costs. Insurance costs have tripled, funding sources are decreasing, and we are concerned about our future,” said Rebecca Cox, Manager, Mercury Bay Museum.
Museums and galleries educate almost a million school children annually, welcome over 17
million domestic and international visitors, and contribute $272 million in GDP a year.
Museums Aotearoa says that the value to New Zealand’s education and tourism sectors is
not reflected in the amount of funding received from local and central government.
The campaign, Keep the Lights on for Museums and Galleries, aims to remind the public of
the worth of institutions and to warn that many are in danger.
“As an industry, we are worried that many of those who are under financial pressure today
may not be around in five years. Museums and galleries perform key roles in our
communities – if we truly value them, we need to fund them adequately” said Museums
Aotearoa CEO, Adele Fitzpatrick.
“Mercury Bay Museum is supporting the call for museums and galleries to be
sustainably funded. We are guardians of our nation’s taonga and play a crucial role in
promoting art, culture, science, and community in New Zealand. We hope that this
call to action will be listened to.” said Rebecca Cox.
The campaign will run on social media and in other advertising until 25 April, and includes a
Lights Off activation on Monday 15 April, with museums and galleries from Southland to
Northland, and even in the Chatham Islands, taking part.
“Institutions will be turning off their external lighting at night, as a symbol of what may be
coming if we don’t support them,” said Fitzpatrick. “We have a lot to lose, and we need to
support galleries and museums before it is too late”.
Visit the Keep the Lights On website here.
Visit the Mercury Bay Museum website here.
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