Art matters: Dazzling Len Lye Centre needs investment in future

Len Lye Centre, New Plymouth. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

Recently, the country lost one of its leading arts patrons, Sir John Todd, whose generosity and guidance benefited many organisations throughout New Zealand. These ranged from grass roots initiatives such as the establishment of the Youth Art Place in Christchurch to a $3 million donation by Todd Energy to Taranaki's new Len Lye Centre.

The spectacular addition to the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is a clear illustration of the importance of arts patronage when a visionary project becomes the focus of political opposition. Because of the company's major contribution, private donors and central government, New Plymouth District Council was able to deliver on a promise that not a cent of ratepayers' money would be spent on building the $11.5 million centre.

Indeed, a provincial town becoming the home of our first gallery devoted to the work of a single artist might seem a cause for celebration and evidence of a culture's maturation, but the continuing controversy surrounding the project was shown when two councillors, Murray Chong and Grant Coward, boycotted opening festivities in protest.

To appease critics, who got a magnificent building effectively given to their city, it has also been promised that running the two galleries for a year will cost only $200,000 more than it previously cost to run the Govett-Brewster alone. So, at the same time as a who's who of Wellington's power elite descended on the town to celebrate the opening, two leadership positions were being done away with at the gallery in council-wide restructuring.

It seems an odd time for the local body to do this given that the province, thanks to the largesse of many benefactors, including a $4 million injection from the Government, stands to finally capitalise on a reputation in the field of contemporary art that has been forged since the gallery opened in 1970. According to a BERL report, the Len Lye Centre could attract around 20,000 additional tourists each year to the city, generating up to $4.8 million in extra revenue.

This reputation, that could prove so lucrative, is owed largely to the work done over decades by staff at Govett-Brewster, artists and enthusiastic patrons. Having a major gallery outside the main centres benefits New Plymouth and the country as a whole. It is seen in the number of former directors who have gone on to make significant contributions elsewhere, including Dame Cheryll Sotheran, Te Papa's first CEO, and current Auckland Art Gallery director Rhana Devenport.

However, when it comes to the arts, cynicism as a political pose will only ever pay dividends. If the Len Lye Centre turns out to be a white elephant, those who spoke against it will be able to say, "I told you so." If it becomes - as is likely - a symbol of the city's vibrant future, it will be the haggling of its opponents that delivered the benefits for the lowest outlay from citizens.

But, in truth, whether or not the Len Lye is a success beyond the first six months depends largely on the council as a whole truly committing to making it one and investing in its future, like so many visionaries have done so already.