Annual Report 2010 - Christchurch City Council

Cultural and learning
services
Council activities
and services
Annual Report
Christchurch Otautahi
2010
p57.
Council activities and services
Cultural and learning services
What are cultural and learning services?
These are the galleries, museums and libraries that enable
residents to experience art, historical and other material and to
gain access learning materials.
Why is the Council involved in cultural and learning
services?
We provide these facilities so that residents of Christchurch have
access to a full range of cultural activities and information within
the city.
Local government is responsible for promoting the cultural,
economic, environmental and social well-being of communities for
the present and the future.
Culture and learning services activities contribute to the cultural
and social well-being of the community by ensuring that a range
of facilities (art galleries, libraries and museums) are available and
that a wide range of support services are in place for those using
these facilities.
The activities also contribute toward the achievement of the city’s
Community Outcomes by helping to make Christchurch a city of
diverse and inclusive communities, a city for recreation, fun and
creativity and a city of lifelong learning – three of the nine goals for
our city that are included in our Community Outcomes.
This contribution is made by providing accessible and welcoming
public buildings, providing and supporting a range of arts, festivals
and events, and by providing books, information and learning
programmes. For more information on these nine goals for our city
see the Community Outcomes section of this report.
How does it affect me?
Every time you visit the Christchurch Art Gallery, local museums
and city libraries, you make use of the Council’s cultural and
learning services. You can gain access to interesting material,
collections and other programmes, such as exhibitions and public
events. You can also take advantage of a range of services and
learning opportunities online.
What activities are involved in cultural and learning
services?
Art gallery and museums
We operate the art gallery and support museums to ensure the
artistic and historical heritage of the region is collected and
presented to residents and visitors to the city. Christchurch Art
Gallery is a vibrant, dynamic space which caters to a strong and
growing art audience. Akaroa Museum preserves and displays
the history of Akaroa and Banks Peninsula. Council funding is
provided to the Canterbury Museum as required by statute.
Libraries
City libraries provide recreational and learning material, create
opportunities for lifelong learning and literacy, and provide
community spaces for the public.
Christchurch libraries are well–used, with membership around
79% of the Christchurch population.
What did we achieve?
Art gallery and museums
A major revision of the City Art Gallery upstairs collection galleries
was undertaken, with ‘Brought to Light’, a national award-winning
long-term exhibition, opening in November 2009. In addition,
several exhibitions which each shed light on a portion of the
collection were mounted, including The Naked and the Nude.
The Gallery organised six large-scale solo exhibitions: Séraphine
Pick, Ronnie van Hout, et al, Neil Pardington, Christine Webster
and Andrew Drummond. Three new publications have been
produced in 2009/10 and two of the exhibitions are being toured to
other centres.
New projects were initiated in the foyer and forecourt as part of the
popular Outer Spaces programme and ‘Blue Planet’, the latest in the
series of exhibitions for family audiences was installed with very
positive visitor feedback.
The large range of projects and exhibitions offered throughout
the year has contributed towards the community and recreation
community outcomes.
Libraries
Christchurch City Libraries celebrated its 150th birthday in
August 2009 with parties, events and entertainment across the
library network. Council marked the occasion with a gift to the
city - free internet access for customers at all libraries. A wide
range of programmes and events offered throughout the year saw
attendance increase by just over 9 per cent. This contributed to the
recreation community outcome.
Uptake of the free internet service has been significant with usage
up 60 per cent from the previous system. Similar growth in the
use of wireless access has been experienced: up 52 per cent on
the previous 12 months. Visits to the library website increased 18
per cent. Borrowing continued to be a popular activity with over 6
million books, magazines & DVDs again being loaned.
Both Shirley and New Brighton libraries were significantly
refurbished.
The increased visits to the library, books being loaned, and internet
availability has greatly contributed to the knowledge community
outcome goals.