Friends of Pātaka was formed soon after Pātaka Art + Museum opened, to help celebrate and support the gallery and museum and to provide mutually beneficial links with the community. We offer help with hosting openings and artists talks, and assisting on the gallery floor when required.
We also support Pātaka Art + Museum and the local artistic community by organising our own initiatives, including:
- Annual Music Series – A short series of one-hour concerts with a wide variety of musical genres, free to Friends.
- Biennial Art Awards – Open to all artists with a connection to Porirua, this initiative offers a range of prizes – winning the main award has given artists the boost in confidence to go on to full- or part-time artistic practice
- Biennial Arts Trail – Begun as a one-off when Pātaka was closed for structural modifications, the free arts trail proved so popular with both our amazingly talented Porirua-based artists and the audience that it has continued, and it continues to grow.
- Free events, floor talks and interesting speakers and visits to places of artistic interest.
We have also provided minor infrastructure support such as the purchase of portable seating and the David Trubridge light fitting over the reception desk, and support artistic endeavours, such as help with funding the Sandy Adsett Toi Koru book, and much more.
Members also receive a 10% discount at Pātaka’s Toi Store and a Friends coffee card for Kaizen Cafe – every sixth cup free.
