Toi Tauranga Art Gallery could charge tourists in future.

Gallery admission is free with a donation encouraged. The question of charging visitors was raised at a Tauranga City Council meeting on Monday when the gallery was presenting its annual report.

Commissioner Bill Wasley asked if there were opportunities for charging overseas and other New Zealand visitors given the 'challenges of income and costs” the gallery faced.

'When you go overseas or other parts of New Zealand those opportunities seem to always present themselves.”

Gallery director Sonya Korohina replied: 'It is expected when you are travelling…that you are making a contribution when you're visiting facilities.”

She said it was a piece of work the gallery would be undertaking.

The gallery had 30,094 visitors for the year July 1 2022 to June 30 2023, according its annual report.

International visitors made up 8 per cent, 18 per cent were national, 26 per cent came from the Western Bay of Plenty with 46 per cent from Tauranga.

Tauranga Art Gallery finished the year with a $200,000 deficit, based on the unaudited report.

Covid had an impact at the start of its financial year, increased service and labour costs also affected the bottom line, said Sonya.

'We couldn't generate any revenue through hosting events. It also meant for our sponsors and our donors, we were not as attractive a proposition during that time as well.”

As a council controlled organisation the gallery received a $1.32 million operating grant from TCC for 2022/23.

Commissioner Stephen Selwood said it was 'fundamental” to get the 'balance right between revenues and expenses”.

'Many museums or art galleries you go to there is a fee, even to the locals, for those special events.”

He said there was opportunity to talk about capturing revenue from tourists and special exhibitions over the next year while the main gallery was closed.

It will shut from October 1 for renovations as part of the $306 million Te Manawataki O Te Papa civic precinct development.

The entrance to the gallery will change from Wharf Street to Masonic Park on the opposite side of the building and a new café and retail area will be added.

A pop up gallery on nearby Devonport Road will continue to host education programmes and exhibitions on a smaller scale.

Sonya said this meant her team could review their programmes for the first time in the 16 years the gallery had been open.

'When we reopen in our main building later on next year, we're really looking forward to servicing future generations in Tauranga Moana through exceptional art experiences.”

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