The Foundation
The Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū Foundation serves as a vital point of connection for those passionate about supporting Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū. Our mandate is to preserve the artistic taoka of YESTERDAY, foster meaningful access to art TODAY, and inspire the artistic brilliance of TOMORROW – keeping creativity at the heart of our city.
yesterday
The history of Ōtautahi Christchurch’s art collection is long and rich. The Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū Foundation acknowledges the many people who have helped us get where we are today.
We aim to safeguard and respect their legacy, while also re-examining our journey here and addressing any oversights we may now see as we look back.
We are kaitiaki of much of Ōtautahi Christchurch’s culture and heritage. And we’re focused on maintaining, restoring and expanding this collection, telling stories from the past and exploring our future as it unfolds.
Today
The Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū Foundation needs like-minded people to support the Gallery and help the culture of Ōtautahi Christchurch to flourish.
We are fostering and promoting art in our community, helping emerging artists to become established names and giving creatives opportunities to make great works that they may not otherwise be able to.
Through collaboration, we encourage ambition and a sense of adventure. We’re reaching out into our
communities, growing the city’s cultural heart and creating reasons to celebrate. And we need your help to do it.
Tomorrow
The future is always uncertain, with fresh opportunities and unforeseen challenges. The Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū Foundation exists to support the Gallery as it navigates a path forwards.
While it is easy to see potential problems, we also look at that horizon with excitement and hope. There are so many amazing opportunities ahead and we’re excited to be taking this chance to chance to influence the creative soul of our community and beyond.
Will you join us in moving forward as we collect, share and inspire?
Our People
Charlotte Gray
I joined the Foundation Board at the start of the Together campaign in 2014. I have been smitten by the Gallery and the opportunities that being a Together partner provides ever since. I have my parents to thank for sparking my interest by surrounding me with good New Zealand art and making it part of the everyday conversation. I now see it as my duty to bombard my own children with an increasing collection of works that jolt them into conversation and stretch their imaginations even just a little bit.
Blair Jackson
As director of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, my focus is on broadening our audiences and enhancing their engagement with our exhibitions and collections. Galleries should be experiential spaces that foster interaction and creativity. In today's world, creative thinking is vital. I'm grateful for my talented team and our wonderful supporters and partners who contribute to our mission.
Brent Williams
Following the Christchurch earthquakes, I wanted to be involved with bringing people back into the city, and in 2015 the opportunity arose to serve as a Trustee for The Christchurch Art Gallery Foundation. I am really proud to be a part of the Foundation and a Gallery that continue to grow and achieve milestones year on year – the most significant being the completion of the 5 Great Works and hitting the $5M Endowment target in June 2023. We wouldn't be able to achieve this without the generous support of our sponsors and TOGETHER partners.
Jim Borthwick
Art has always been important to me; my interest was fired by seeing impressionist art for the first time in Paris when I was 21. I love the challenge and inspiration that great art creates. Every piece of art has its own story. As an ophthalmologist I’m fascinated by the difference between what the eye sees and how a person perceives and interprets a piece of art.
Grant Anderson
Starting out as a collector of art some 20 odd years ago, I have come to respect and admire the talents in others which I don’t possess. This appreciation and what is now a passion for art has grown to the extent that I find myself gravitating towards the local art galleries and dealers whenever travelling both in New Zealand and overseas. It seems fitting now that my involvement with the Foundation can provide an extension to those past experiences and at the same time make use of some of the skills I have acquired as a chartered accountant during my years in practice.
Pen Gough
I’ve loved art as long I can remember. Growing up, my home was full of art and ever since it’s always been a part of my life. My favourite piece is Chapman’s Homer, especially because the whole city got behind the campaign to buy it for our city. I joined the Foundation board in February 2015 and love the work the Foundation is involved in. I was a part of the group that visited London in July and saw Bridget Riley’s work. The trip was life-changing for me.
Rosa Carter
From a young age, the art galleries of Christchurch have been a special place for me – the Robert McDougall and CoCA in particular – and I understand the impact of art in all its forms on people’s lives in this new era of our city. I am a lover of all things art – my first investment when aged in my twenties was not property, it was two Stanley Palmer artworks! I am delighted to now be in a position to blend my governance and corporate experience with my genuine desire to be involved in my home city with the Christchurch Art Gallery Foundation. Its vision to continue building a legacy of artworks for generations of Christchurch families and visitors to enjoy in the future, while supporting the arts community, is something which I am very excited to be involved with.
Chris Anderson
Growing up I was introduced to art through my grandparents who had an interesting collection of traditional New Zealand art. I have always had an interest in art since then, however this interest peaked after meeting my wife Claire who is an artist herself. Over the years we have very much enjoyed being part of the Foundation’s TOGETHER programme and supporting the various events and exhibitions.
Eliza Turnbull
I was delighted to join the Foundation in 2023 to give back to the city I now proudly call home. My Melbourne upbringing fostered a love for art, and when arriving in Christchurch, I was captivated by Bill Hammond’s The Fall of Icarus and Gretchen Albrecht’s abstracts. I’m excited to support Christchurch Art Gallery in preserving the artistic treasures of the past, fostering access to art today, and inspiring the creative visionaries of tomorrow.