A raft of staffing changes at the Sarjeant Gallery are designed to better research and display the facility's art, according to Wanganui District Council community and cultural manager Sally Patrick.
As part of the changes, one staff member has been made redundant and an assistant curator position has been reinstated.The aim was to enable the gallery to deliver a better service to the public, not to save money, Ms Patrick said.
"The changes ... will be funded from the gallery's existing budget."
Aims of the changes included improving access to the gallery's nationally significant collections, both within the gallery and online; enhancing the educational value of the collections through complete documentation; improving care of the collections; streamlining day-to-day operations; and enabling the gallery to raise more money, particularly through its shop and through being hired out for events.
The changes also reflected the centralisation of finance functions back within Wanganui District Council.
The front of house manager, building and collections manager and registrar/business leader roles have been disestablished. They are replaced by a gallery operations manager, curator of collections and administration officer.
The reinstatement of an assistant curator role was aimed to help the gallery's curators.
"This is necessary as the Sarjeant, in addition to a very busy exhibitions programme, is also responsible for the Quay Gallery in the Visitor Centre," Ms Patrick said. The front of house manager role was vacant at the time of the restructure. One member of staff was made redundant and one was redeployed into one of the new roles. The curator of collections position remains vacant.