Te Manawa
Art Society (TMAS)

Welcome

The Te Manawa Art Society Incorporated is a membership organization and we welcome new members.

Art lovers, collectors, art patrons, and artists comprise the Society membership today. The Society owes a debt of gratitude to past members and Art Gallery staff who assisted in the acquisition of the art works, known as the Manawatu Art Collection.

Today, the Te Manawa Art Society membership numbers continue to grow, and its work is supported by a team of committed volunteers. The Society continues to acquire works to add to the Manawatu Art Collection and maintains oversight of the care and protection of the art works which are now in the custody of the Te Manawa Museums Trust, and continue to be displayed in the Art Gallery, 326 Main Street, Palmerston North.

The Te Manawa Art Society is a registered charity (CC22229) and enquiries are invited from anyone keen to join our membership, and/or to support our art acquisition programme through sponsorship, donation, or bequest.

Vision + Purpose

The Te Manawa Art Society is governed by its Constitution. The Society considers its purpose to be guardianship and development of the Manawatu Art Collection, while fostering relationships with the wider community for the enjoyment of the visual arts. The Te Manawa Art Society has set the following strategic priorities

Protect and Grow the Manawatu Art Collection.
Grow and engage with Art Society membership.
Engage with the Community.
Ensure good governance and stewardship.

Our History

Te Manawa Art Society, established as the Palmerston North Art Gallery Society in 1959, has over the years built up one of the most valuable and representative collections of contemporary New Zealand art in any provincial gallery in the country. This collection is now known as the Manawatu Art Collection.

In 1977 the Society raised funds to build the present Gallery, which it managed until 1994, when it became part of Te Manawa Museums Trust. Te Manawa Art Society continues to own, add to and assist in displaying its part of the permanent collection, which is housed and curated by Te Manawa.

In the Te Manawa shop you can buy cards of works from the collection. The publication Collectively Speaking celebrates the Society’s 50th anniversary, lists the entire collection, depicts 50 of the works in it, and tells the story of the Art Society and Gallery.
Art works from the Manawatu Art Collection are regularly displayed in the Art Gallery, and are loaned to galleries within New Zealand and overseas, to be part of exhibitions on display elsewhere.

In 2020, the Te Manawa Art Society embarked on a new programme of development with the aim of improving the access of the Manawatu Art Collection for the people of Palmerston North and the wider region.

The Manawau Art Collection includes significant works by many New Zealand artists, including among many others the work of Colin McCahon, Anne Verdcourt, Pat Hanly, Frances Hodgkins, A Lois White, Robin White, Don Binney, Robyn Kahukiwa. Recent acquisitions include works of Anton Parsons

Awards And Recognitions

In 2021 the Manawatu Art Gallery was awarded an Enduring Architecture Award, by the New Zealand Institute of Architects. It recognized the work of David Taylor, Architect, who designed and oversaw the building of the gallery which was completed in 1977.