Abstract

Jenny Harper explores the Gallery’s staff response to this extended period of unplaned closure over the last two years,the growth of a cyberspace presence and the spread of the Gallery’s Outer Spaces programme of projects in the city.

Although the Gallery functioned as the national emergency reponse headquarters for seven months, it remains closed due to the subsequent effects of land settlement beneath the building.  While being closed goes against the grain of every committed art gallery worker, she suggests a good clear mission and creative staff make it possible to triumph in such adversity.

Presenter

Jenny Harper has been Director of the Christchurch Art Gallery since 2006. Prior to this she worked at Victoria University of Wellington, developing the Art History programme and establishing the Adam Art Gallery. In earlier art gallery years, she held positions at the National Gallery of Australia, the Queensland Art Gallery and was Directorof New Zealand’s former National Art Gallery in Wellington.

Ms Harper was Commissioner for New Zealand exhibition at the Venice Biennale in 2009 and 2011, and is again in 2013.

Chair

Sharon Peoples Convenor of the Liberal Arts Program and Museum Education and Heritage Interpretation Program, Research School of Humanities and the Arts ANU