Wellington Sculpture Trust commissions sculpture for public spaces to enhance the urban environment and to support the creative arts in New Zealand .
It was established in 1982 to raise funds for Tanya Ashken’s Albatross and to commission additional works for Wellington. The Trust works in partnership with Wellington City Council, and raises funds from other trusts with Wellington links, public and private businesses as well as many individuals, through donations and sponsorship arrangements. To date the Trust has been associated with twelve sculptures in the city, five in the Botanic Gardens, four on Cobham Drive and four more planned before the end of 2009.
Wellington City Council plays a significant role. It provides most of our sites, helps supervise the installation of sculptures, and becomes the owner and caretaker of the sculpture on behalf of the city and the Trust.
The sculptors and sculptures are selected in several ways depending on the project. The Trust purchased Chris Booth’s Peacemaker to mark the centenary of the Botanic Gardens and Phil Price’s Protoplasm for Lambton Quay. It jointly commissioned Neil Dawson’s Ferns, with the New Zealand International Festival of the Arts. It called for expressions of interest from sculptors for the Botanic Garden sculpture walk project and four of the works in the city. Separate competitions were held for the Meridian Energy Wind Sculptures and the Lambton Quay Sculpture Project.
The Trust has a panel of arts professionals who assist in the selection processes. The panel currently comprises arts practitioners, the director of the City Gallery, curators and an architect. Urban design and public safety advice is provided by the Wellington City Council’s liaison officer.
The Trust also has honorary advisors separate from its arts advisors to broaden its resources. These people have expertise in fields such as engineering, financial management and law.
Trustees meet monthly to facilitate and plan the work of the Trust and employ a part-time administrator.
Wellington Sculpture Trust - CC20583 is a registered charitable entity in terms of the Charities Act 2005.
www.sculpture.org.nz
