Ōamaru’s Forrester Gallery has had another funding boost from the Otago Community Trust, while staff and volunteers continue working hard to raise even more money.

In the trust’s September funding round, $51,700 has gone to Friends of the Forrester Gallery for the fitout of the Stage 2 gallery extension.

The gallery, which has been operating since 1983 in an 1884 historic building, is undergoing an extension to address the practical challenges of running a modern art gallery in a heritage building.

The extension focuses on collection care and accessibility, with a new accessible community education space, and improved facilities such as a lift, toilets and parking.

There will be more space for exhibitions as well as climate-controlled storage for the gallery’s 2500-piece collection of New Zealand art.

Friends of the Forrester Gallery chair Heather Machin says art galleries are not just “great big walls and a roof”.

“There's much more that goes on inside to make a workplace and to ultimately enhance the visitor experience.”

The new spaces are due to be open to the community in late April or early May next year. 

“‘Fitout' is an all-encompassing term, involving many more elements than just seats and lights, and the care taken with every part of the Forrester Gallery extension will be reflected in the finished project,” Heather says.

The group is both “grateful and excited” for the support, she says.

Meanwhile, the Waitaki community now also has the opportunity to add their name to the list of contributors, as the renovation nears the final stages.

Arts, Culture and Libraries manager Chloe Searle says the building will be clad in Ōamaru stone, and people or groups can sponsor one of the 2,122 blocks being placed on the extension to match the whitestone of the original Bank of New South Wales building.

A sponsor board inside the gallery will list all donors.

Inside, the new stairs connecting the three floors of the gallery can also be sponsored, with names or a message.

Block sponsorships are $99 and can be applied for on the Culture Waitaki webpage.

Stair riser sponsorship begins at $500, rising to $650 and $800 depending on the floor location of the riser. 

Stairs can be seen, and applications made, to sponsor a stair here.

All donations will go towards the cost of construction, fit-out or supporting gallery operations.