Why the Museum needs a new collection store
The Museum’s collection is currently stored in a building at Isel Park in Stoke. The building is at the end of its functional life and has some big issues.
A new facility with proper conditions will extend the lifespan of objects so they can be preserved for future generations.
In the meantime, the staff are highly qualified experts in their field, and are doing an excellent job keeping the collection safe while the new facility is designed and built.
The new ARC facility is essential to protect and preserve the Nelson Tasman regional heritage collection that reflects our identity and to increase access to this treasured collection.
Historic artifacts need specific environment conditions for them to survive long-term but the current facility is an old building with poor temperature control.
Lacks facilities to provide the required level of care and tikanga.
The Research Facility is outdated and inadequate to protect the collection.
Parts of the building are unable to be used due to earthquake risk, and the building leaks when it rains.
The building lacks suitable workspaces for researchers, museum staff and volunteers.
The collection is not able to be organised by object type due to the design of the building with many small and crowded rooms, and there is no space for education or iwi groups to gather.
The proposed design
A new and future-proof Archive, Research and Collection Centre will safely and appropriately house and care for the regional heritage collection of Nelson Tasman and ensure it is preserved for future generations. The new facility will be built behind the exhibition museum on Church Street, currently a car park.
The lifespan of collection objects will increase with the ability to maintain the right temperature and humidity for different types of objects.
The new collection store will be located alongside the current exhibiting Museum allowing people to visit both facilities and improving operating efficiency for staff.
Purpose built rooms and specialist shelving will provide objects with sufficient space and allow them to be seen by using visual storage systems and eliminating overcrowding.
The people of Nelson and Tasman will have confidence the collection that tells the stories of who we are and reflects our identity is protected for current and future generations.
Specialist conservation facilities will be provided to treat objects and taonga to prevent decay and support preservation.
A dedicated research area will provide students, scientists, and researchers with improved facilities to access and learn from the collection.
Iwi, cultural heritage, and school groups will have use of the meeting room and research area for viewing objects and participating in workshops and education programs.
Project Funding
Recognising the great need for a new facility, and the Museum’s nationally and internationally significant collection, Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council allocated $3.165m and $3.2m respectively towards the ARC project in their Long-Term Plans. We are also applying to central government and other funders and will launch a public fundraising campaign before construction starts in 2024.
Nelson Provincial Museum creates unforgettable experiences for local, national and international visitors, and protecting and preserving our valuable collection is crucial to continuing to do this. With one of the nation’s most significant regional collections, we care for over 200,000 precious items, 1.2 million photographs and 150,000 unique documents. These treasured objects are valued at over $20million.
The existing facility that houses this collection is no longer fit for purpose, and these precious items and our team are at risk if we don’t re-home them soon. To ensure we can continue to share and celebrate our collection we will build a new Archives, Research & Collection (ARC) facility in 2024.
How we are tracking
The project is progressing well since the appointment of the lead architect, Irving Smith Architects. Key achievements include:
✔ Onboarding of Architect and Design Team
✔ Refinement of concept design
✔ Confirmation of collection space requirements
✔ Peer reviews of climate conditions
✔ Approval of preliminary design
✔ Approval of resource consent application
✔ Request for Tender issued for ECI construction
✔ Developed design underway.
Once the detailed design is complete, we will apply to Nelson City Council for building consent and hope to begin construction in the first half of 2024.
Are you keen to support the ARC project?
There are several ways you can support the construction of this important new facility for the Nelson Tasman region:
• Write to the local Councils in support of the new facility as part of the Long Term Plan consultation process;
• Share this important project with others who might be able to help
Contact a Board member or the Fundraising Coordinator at ARCdonations@museumnp.org.nz if you would like to know about the benefits available for corporate sponsorship.