Two Visionary Partnerships in Line for National Award

Two Taranaki companies that each support a local iconic cultural facility are finalists in the National Business Review Awards for Sponsorship of the Arts.

In line for the award are Govett Quilliam the Lawyers for their sponsorship of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery’s Monica Brewster Club, and Shell for its sponsorship of Puke Ariki’s 60 Springs education programme.

Now in their eleventh year, the NBR awards acknowledge partnerships between business and the arts that demonstrate a high level of creativity, commitment and vision, as well as important business benefits.

Govett Quilliam Senior Partner John Eagles says sponsorship of the Monica Brewster Evening was the ideal opportunity for the firm to align itself with New Zealand’s leading contemporary art gallery.

“The Monica Brewster Evenings fill a gap in the New Plymouth community by providing an environment where like minded-people can meet, network and learn about contemporary art and culture in a relaxed environment,” he says.

“We felt there was a perfect synergy between our two organisations.”

The Monica Brewster Evening brings an impressive array of national and international speakers to New Plymouth, combined with contemporary ideas, art, food, wine and conviviality.

The relationship between Govett Quilliam and the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is a long and historical one. In 1897 Clement Govett founded the legal firm Govett Quilliam in New Plymouth – and in 1962 his youngest daughter Monica transferred £50,000 by trust deed to New Plymouth City Council to establish and develop the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.

Shell’s relationship with Puke Ariki has also been pivotal, as it was the first organisation to sign on as a corporate foundation partner during Puke Ariki’s development.

The company’s eight-year sponsorship agreement covers the development of oil and gas industry aspects in Puke Ariki’s permanent displays, plus five annual education projects – the latest of which is 60 Springs.

“During the past year almost 12,000 primary school children in the Taranaki region have been involved with the Puke Ariki/Shell education programme, and encouraged to think more creatively about the abundance of information and resources available to them,” says Shell New Zealand Country Chairman Rob Jager.

“Both Shell and Puke Ariki seek to become leaders in environmental education by adding a new dimension to high school studies through the 60 Springs project, where students will be encouraged to think creatively about the environmental issues around them.

“These projects sit well with Shell’s approach of integrating economic, environmental and social considerations with business decisions,” says Mr Jager.

Manager Puke Ariki Bill Macnaught says Shell’s support has helped Puke Ariki inspire new generations to learn about the world around them and consider what they can do to influence the future.

Gallery Director Rhana Devenport says the Monica Brewster Evenings continue the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery’s commitment to extending national dialogue by introducing New Zealand audiences to an impressive array of national and international figures from the global art world.

“The fact that two major local firms have both been named finalists in the NBR awards is a huge nation-wide acknowledgement of the success of Taranaki arts and culture in attracting such strong and lasting support from the corporate sector,” says Ms Devenport.

Adds Mr Macnaught: “Supporting the arts and culture makes good business sense, as both Shell and Govett Quilliam have proved. And the good news is that through their support, the benefits for our local community will grow as we continue to develop the projects they sponsor.”

Winners of the NBR Awards for Sponsorship of the Arts will be announced at a dinner in Auckland this Wednesday (30 July).