Penelope Jackson, Director of Tauranga Art Gallery for five years, has resigned from the role.
"After 11 years at Tauranga Art Gallery - five of those as director - it's time to take time out and have a change, and to enjoy a break," she said.
Ms Jackson said she
was looking at other opportunities, and already has one project underway.
"I leave the gallery in good heart, and with many great memories,'' she said.
Her commitment and passion in this role has helped to shape Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty's appreciation of art, and has supported the community to better understand the role of a public art gallery and the benefits it delivers for community members.
Ms Jackson will finish at the gallery in late January.
"We have an outstanding line-up of exhibitions both current and upcoming - three of our past exhibitions are now touring, which is wonderful for a gallery our size - a full programme of events including music, artist and expert talks and theatre, and a fantastic schools education programme. As well as this we have an exceptional team at the gallery."
Ms Jackson has overseen many exhibitions, amongst the most memorable including the award-winning Corrugations: the art of Jeff Thomson and Lynley Dodd: A Retrospective. Both are now touring, with the Lynley Dodd exhibition in Australia.
Corrugations: the art of Jeff Thomson was named best exhibition under $20,000 at the New Zealand Museum Awards in April this year. It was created and curated by Ms Jackson in conjunction with the artist. The accompanying book, co-written by Ms Jackson and Robin Woodward, is in its second printing.
Exhibitions of work from artists the gallery collects - Nigel Brown, Edward Bullmore and Dame Robin White - have also been highlights of her time at the gallery.
Ms Jackson initiated some major exhibitions for the gallery, including the upcoming Wildlife Photographer of the Year from London's Natural History Museum.
She has been involved in the Bay of Plenty arts community, speaking to many groups to share her passion for art, and has also presented at international conferences.
During her time the gallery's collection has grown from nothing to approximately 500 works. The gallery has also gone from deficit to surplus in her time as director.
Chairperson of Tauranga Art Gallery Trust Phillida Perry said the quality of exhibitions the gallery has delivered and the recognition it has achieved during Ms Jackson's time as director is a testament to her success.
"Her commitment and passion in this role has helped to shape Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty's appreciation of art, and has supported the community to better understand the role of a public art gallery and the benefits it delivers for community members.''
More than 8000 school children visited the gallery last year.
"This makes the gallery is an essential community asset. Penelope Jackson's influence in the gallery has been a key part of its success and we are very sad to lose her. However, we wish her the very best for her next projects."
