Govett-Brewster Art Gallery-Len Lye Centre - New Plymouth Central

Our History

Transforming the city’s decommissioned heritage cinema, the original museum opened in 1970 with a ground-breaking exhibition and multi-sensory installation. Since that time we have continued to present a lively programme where people can connect with art and artists through tours, talks, workshops, films, performances, music and education programs, and grow the permanent collection of paintings, video, installation and photography.

In 1977 we presented Kinetic Works, the first survey of Aotearoa artist Len Lye's work anywhere in the world. Just months before his death in 1980, Lye established the Len Lye Foundation to continue his artistic vision and, recognising the strength of the relationship between artist and museum, he chose the Govett-Brewster to be the home of Len Lye.

In 2015 we opened as the combined Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Lye Centre with a renewed vision and vigour to promote and foster contemporary art and the conversations it encourages including the work and vision of Len Lye.

We continue to build on this history in a manner that honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles of partnership, participation and protection by recognising tangata whenua and respecting tikanga and taonga, and aims to engage our diverse local, national and international audiences.

Our Commitment to the Environment

The Gallery team is committed to a genuine and active response to the impacts of climate change. We are reviewing our operations and taking actions across all areas of our organisation, with projects looking at energy efficiencies, reusing or recycling materials, considering our travel and freight requirements, and preferring suppliers from the local creative community and industry where possible. Recent initiatives have included:

· Art Handling - moving to recyclable or biodegradable gloves

During the changeover of our exhibitions and other occasions when we handle or move art works, our exhibitions and registrations teams wear gloves to ensure the least possible impact on the art works. When possible we use washable and reusable cotton gloves, but on occasions when nitrile gloves are required, we have sourced gloves that biodegrade within two years rather than standard gloves which break down over 10 to 20 years.

· Creating an exhibition furniture library

Different exhibitions require different display and gallery furniture. Working with Puke Ariki, we have collated a furniture library that is shared with designers and curators in both places with the aim of encouraging greater reuse of existing exhibition furniture for the fit-out of our exhibitions, resulting in a significant decrease in resource use and waste.