City art gallery visitor numbers have jumped more than 7000 in six months due to a changing line-up of historical and contemporary art, strong marketing and extra workshops.
A total of 37,129 people visited the art gallery in the six months to December 31, 2013, up from 30,740 in the previous period. This represents a rise of more than 20 per cent.
Females made up most visitors (79 per cent) according to the gallery's six month report, which was presented at yesterday's Tauranga City Council's City Delivery Committee meeting.
Of those surveyed, 44 per cent were first time visitors, up from 30 per cent.
Director Penelope Jackson said the increase was "significant" and was likely the result of the mix of exhibitions held in the latter half of last year, including Rosemary McLeod's With Bold Needle & Thread, Meridian Lines, a selection of art from Te Papa, and an exhibition of work by sculptor Jeff Thomson.
"You never know what is going to tickle people's fancy," she said.
"We have had a great mix recently and we have also made a real effort to hire the venue out to various groups for private functions, which has brought in both revenue and people."
Councillors Rick Curach, Bill Grainger and Catherine Stewart raised the question of charging for entry after the gallery's $26,745 deficit was highlighted, but Ms Jackson said the gallery was on track to break even by the year's end.
"The gallery's exhibitions do not work around the financial year unfortunately," she said.
Ms Jackson said the gallery was pursuing several corporate sponsors and was trying to increase revenues by holding workshops, floor talks and hiring out the gallery for private functions. The gallery's revenue was $96,676. Retail sales made up the bulk of revenue with $30,875 brought in, most from Corrugations: The Art of Jeff Thomson, a book Ms Jackson had co-written.
A total of $59,958 was spent on exhibitions and events, $22,186 on advertising and marketing and $68,960 on building and maintenance.
A full copy of the report can be found on the council website.