|
Otago Museum - Even More Welcoming To Visitors
Dorothy - 22/12/00
Otago Museum opens major extensions
An article about Dunedin's
Otago Museum which I wrote in 1998 has continued
to attract a large number of hits each month. Now there is more
interesting news about the Museum and a visit to Dunedin is high on my list
of travel priorities.
The Prime Minister Helen Clark opens multi-million dollar project
The multi-million dollar redevelopment project, which has been undertaken
in two stages over a number of years, was opened by the Prime Minister
Helen Clark on Saturday, 9 December 2000. An additional wing, a new
entrance and a superb new atrium were unveiled for the public.
The extensions to the Museum were designed by Dunedin architects McCoy &
Wixon, and involved substantial changes to the physical structure with the
goal of improving the experience of visitors to the Museum.
Access for ALL to ALL galleries
Access and circulation issues were a priority, and now ALL Museum galleries
and facilities are accessible to ALL visitors. Before the new developments
on the site more than 40% of spaces were not available for visitors with
restricted mobility.
New entrance, stairwell and atrium
The arresting features of the building as visitors arrive are the new
entrance, a new grand stairwell and the development of a central atrium
with skylight.
Visits are likely to be made much more enriching by the professional
"wayfinding" and a stylish introductory video.
Improved storage
With over 1.7 million collection items, many of national and international
significance, the Otago Museum is one of the largest museums in New
Zealand. This has meant that a second primary focus of the redevelopment
project has been the improvement of collection facilities. There has been a
significant addition to the collection storage area and the installation of
critical mobile shelving units.
Over the next year the Museum will continue the re-housing and
re-shelving of storerooms and by mid next year each item will have been
moved at least once (most twice or more) and will be re-housed in optimum
conditions, to ensure long term protection and ease of access for research
and use in Museum programmes.
5000 square metres more space and economical usage
In 1996 the Museum completed Stage One of the project with the addition of
a wing of 630 square metreswith three floors. Stage Two has seen the
complex expanded by a further 1050 square metres with three levels. In
total the redevelopment has seen an addition of over 5000 square metres,
placing the Museum in an excellent position for the future. Not only has
the physical space been increased by 70%, but the efficiency in the use of
space has been increased by over 150%.
Exhibition facilities and a theatre
The ground floor of the new building provides much needed storage and also
workshop space for the Museum to build exhibitions. The second level
allows the Museum to increase both the exhibition areas available for
public programmes. There are two new temporary exhibition galleries, a
resource centre and a multipurpose theatre, the Dr Marjorie Barclay
Theatre, as well as additional functional public spaces.
Southern Land, Southern People
The third level is for a major new long term gallery which is at present
being developed for opening late in 2001. The Museum sent me a description
of this gallery:
"Titled Southern Land, Southern People, this gallery will provide
a window on the natural and cultural heritage of the southern region. From
the extraordinary landscapes and fossils to the wealth and use of the
region's natural resources, visitors will discover the diversity and the
passion that is Otago."
Museum Shop, café, and Conference facilities
Be sure to visit the new Museum Shop and Café. Note the conference
facilities on your list of venues to be considered for your next
conference.
Financing the project
To raise the $18 million required, the Museum has undertaken an active
fundraising programme over the last six years. The New Zealand Lottery
Grants Board provided $3 million for the building project and further
grants for the Southern Land, Southern People Gallery and the
collection storage project. The Community Trust of Otago generously
donated $2.3 million. Central Government contributed $3.5 million. The
remainder came from a variety of generous trusts, local government and
corporate and public fundraising.
A day to celebrate
A festival atmosphere prevailed at the opening with a variety of family
oriented activities including bungy jumping from a crane with A.J.Hackett
Limited, live music, museum tours and activities, face painting,
candyfloss, balloons and the like! Dunedin's budding international opera
star, Jonathan Lemalu, returned from London especially to perform. Some
twenty thousand people attended the celebrations. It was described by
visitors as a memorable event to celebrate a momentous occasion.
Otago Museum - treasuring the past, celebrating the future!
For further information go to
www.otagomuseum.govt.nz
Or contact
Otago Museum
PO Box 6202
Dunedin, New Zealand
Tel: (03) 474 7473
Fax: (03) 477 5993
Published with permission from NZine
|
Canterbury Net The gateway to online features and resources in Canterbury 
CyberMall New Zealand's first comprehensive virtual shopping mall
Cyber Place Canterbury An on-line resource site
