Abstract:
This thesis examines the history of The Dowse, an art, craft and design museum in Lower Hutt, New Zealand, from 1971-2006. It considers the question: how do museums change and develop? The history of the Dowse is placed in the wider context of New Zealand society, and of museum history internationally and nationally. This local museum reflects changing trends in museological theory and practice over a thirty year period, which have involved the constant debate and rethinking of the role of museums, their responsibilities, and their relationship with their communities.
This thesis makes a significant contribution to museum studies in New Zealand because of its detailed examination of the entire history of one local museum. By responding to the call for studies combining theoretical and empirical approaches, it offers a historically-grounded analysis of a specific local case study. A range of methods is used to examine the nature and effect of changes in exhibitions, collection policies and programmes throughout the Dowse's history: including archival research, interviews and museum theory. This museum emerges from this research as a complex, multi-faceted entity, which is not simply the result of a chronological history of progress but the product of various external forces such as social history, local government, and community expectations as well as internal factors such the impact of individual staff and directors.
The development of a relatively small and recently established art museum in a growing young city illustrates the struggle for acceptance by the council and general community of Lower Hutt. There was a constant renegotiation of the role, aims and values of the institution in relation to its community, and debate about community relevance, art and craft, professional standards and creativity. Despite the changes, the Dowse retained its own distinctive character, reputation and niche. This thesis concludes that an individual museum is not merely a building for the display of art, but an active social institution which serves and represents its public. In the future as much as in the past, the ability to change and develop enables museums to remain valuable to their community.
All the directors played their part in the Dowse's development: David Millar convinced the Hutt City Council of the gallery's worth through community involvement; Jim Barr-boldly advocated contemporary New Zealand art; James Mack collected craft art in its own right; Bob Maysmor raised standards of professionalism and accountability; and Tim Walker pioneered the current focus on creativity and audience.
