Outcomes of our work

Gavin Hipkins: The Domain

Supported by general funds

Over the summer of 2017-2018 The Dowse presented a major survey of renowned New Zealand photographer Gavin Hipkins, curated by director Courtney Johnston. The Dowse Foundation supported the production of Gavin Hipkins: The Domain, a substantial publication documenting the artist’s career to date with new critical insights, lavish reproductions and an anthology of earlier texts. The book was published by Victoria University Press, and also supported by Creative New Zealand, Hamish McKay Gallery and Starkwhite.

More about the exhibition 'Gavin Hipkins: The Domain'

More about the publication Gavin Hipkins; The Domain

To purchase a copy of Gavin Hipkins: The Domain (RRP NZ$70) contact The Dowse Art Museum's store on 04 570 6500 or mine@dowse.org.nz

The Hive: welcoming families at The Dowse

Supported by dedicated funds provided by the Rotary Club of Hutt City

Supported by the generosity of the Rotary Club of Hutt City through the donation of funds raised by the Shapeshifter outdoor sculpture exhibition, this is an ongoing project to progressively enrich The Hive, The Dowse’s much-loved family creative space.

Working with Wellington company DesignTree, we are adding more activities and interactive features to crete a family lounge that is stimulating for young people's minds and hands, while also relaxing for our visitors.

Art buses: Helping local schools access The Dowse

Supported by dedicated funds provided by the Rotary Club of Hutt Valley

Supported by the generosity of the Rotary Club of Hutt Valley through the donation of funds raised by the Community Pathway outside The Dowse, this programme offers free and subsidised bus transport to schools we know will otherwise struggle to bring their classes to take part in The Dowse’s education programme. Assistance is focused on schools in Taita, Naenae, Epuni, Stokes Valley and Wainuiomata.

The Community Pathway is located in a prominent public space in front of The Dowse. By buying a brick on the pathway and engraving it with an acknowledgment - personal, professional or civic - you are supporting the development of our community identity and contributing to the Rotary Club of Hutt Valley's charitable projects.

Find out more about buying a brick on the Community Pathway

New Zealand Craft Artists on Wikipedia

Supported by dedicated funds generously provided by Ngā Taonga a Hine-te-iwa-iwa

In 2014 The Dowse Foundation received a donation from Ngā Taonga a Hine-te-iwa-iwa / A Treasury of New Zealand Craft Resources, a trust devoted to New Zealand craft art which was winding up its affairs. The funds were used to support a project at The Dowse where interns were trained and paid to research and write Wikipedia articles on over 100 New Zealand craft artists, exhibitions and institutions, dramatically increasing the amount of information available about New Zealand craft on the world’s biggest encyclopedia.

Find out more about this project on The Dowse's website

Peter Robinson Tribe, Subtribe

Supported by general funds

Over the summer of 2013-2014, New Zealand artist Peter Robinson created a huge people-powered sculpture at The Dowse in his exhibition Tribe, Subtribe. Over three months visitors constructed colourful felt poles from materials Robinson selected and provided, resulting in a sculptural installation that combined the traditions of craft and minimalist art.

With support from The Dowse Foundation, The Dowse Art Museum was able to acquire the final work for its permanent collection, as a record of this important project.

More about Peter Robinson's Tribe, Subtribe

Ronnie van Hout Fallen Robot

In 2012 The Dowse Foundation contributed $20,000 towards a landmark piece of public art for the redevelopment of the plaza in front of The Dowse. Ronnie van Hout’s Fallen Robot sculpture was commissioned by the E Tu Te Awakairangi Public Art Trust for the plaza, and has gone on to become a distinctive and beloved feature of this urban public space.

Find out more about Fallen Robot

The Gold Award 2000–2009

Supported by general funds

Between 2000 and 2009 The Dowse Foundation sponsored an annual award of $10,000 to a nationally recognised jeweller to create a work for The Dowse’s collection. The recipients were Pauline Bern, Joanna Campbell, Kirsten Haydon, Lynn Kelly and Areta Wilkinson. These works remain in The Dowse's collection and are often incorporated into exhibitions, education programmes and research, and lent for exhibitions in other galleries.