Cultural promotion

For some time now Wellington cultural circles have felt the need for an adequate and central meeting place. With the official opening on May 31 of the Dunhill Cultural Foundation the wishes of many were granted. Until now cultural activities have been restricted in both number and convenience to the public—painting exhibitions to the Centre Gallery and the Buckle Street Galleries, concerts to the University and jazz and other activities to coffee bars and other places of minor importance.

The Foundation, which is initially being sponsored by a well-known company, is in the Display Centre in Cuba Street and has as its objective the supply of a medium for all cultural activity in Wellington, dedicated to the people of Wellington. Its aim is to Obtain the best of Wellington's professionals and amateurs in both the fine and applied arts and display their talents to the public.

It is hoped that, after the initial sponsoring, the Foundation will be self-supporting and all profits (commissions, etc) accruing to it will be ploughed back to continue and even improve facilities. Entrance will be either free or, especially where there are profes sional artists, at a nominal fee.

Some of the planned activities of the Foundation include bringing to New Zealand later this year a collection of sculpture by Rodin and contemporaries (insured for three million pounds), a Baroque Quartet, who use original instruments of the period, numerous other lunchtime concerts, exhibitions and debates. It is hoped that the New Zealand Academy's permanent collection will be housed there.

M. J. B. Gaffikin.