N.Z. ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2859, 25 August 1916, Page 8

N.Z. ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

'ANNUAL REPORT. The twenty-sixth annual report of tho New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts for tho year ended June .30 states .that notwithstanding tho war the membership has been well maintained. There are now on the roll two life, 239 subscribing, and 69 artist members. The annual exhibition was opened by the Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, on October 2, 1915. Owing to conditions arising out of the war, both tho attendance and sales wero again below normal. Tho number of works disposed of was 37, of a total value of £209 16s. Difring the year tho council deckled to proceed with tho work of extending the Art Gallery, at a contract price of £1152. Towards tho building fund the Alacarthy Trustees havo granted £100, and tho sum of £50 has been received'from an anonymous donor. Tho Academy has to express its thanks for tliese generous contributions ; also to the City Council for a renewal of its grant of £50 towards the maintenance of the Art Gallery. Thanks are due also .to six members, who,' by personally guaranteeing . a bank overdraft until tho Government grant is available, have made it possible to proceed With tho building'. It. is hoped-that tlie-new building will bo ready for the, opening of the annual exhibition on October 7..

! .The statement of income and expenditure for .the year and balance-sheet show the .Academy to bo in a sound financial'position: It will bo necessary, however, to practiso strict economy until tho somewhat heavy liability tho building operations have obliged Us to inci'ir. havo beeir cleared off.