About us

Partner with us

The Dowse is a free public gallery for people to enjoy contemporary art and culture. When you make a donation, you help make art experiences accessible for everyone by enabling us to:

  • nurture a nationally significant art and craft collection
  • present inspiring exhibitions
  • provide education programmes that entice kids and adults alike.

We're happy to work with local businesses who are interested in supporting the arts. If your company or organisation wants to partner with Aotearoa's most interesting art museum, get in touch with our Director Karl Chitham on 04 570 1480 or email us at enquiries@dowse.org.nz.

We would like to acknowledge one of our current Corporate partners - Dulux

You can support The Dowse by buying a brick in The Dowse Community Pathway. Show the world what The Dowse means to you by purchasing and engraving your name or a personal message on one of the bricks that pave the way to The Dowse along the front of the building.

Bricks start at $150 NZD. You can choose what name, message, tribute or corporate logo you'd like engraved on it that will be seen and valued by generations to come.

The Community Pathway is managed by the Rotary Club of Hutt Valley. Proceeds raised from brick sales are donated to The Dowse Foundation, and used to support local schools to attend education programmes at The Dowse and Petone Settlers Museum by providing free or subsidised bus transport.

To buy a brick, please contact the Rotary Club directly.

The Dowse also partners with businesses and community groups on long-term support programmes to present ambitious exhibitions and to make our education programmes accessible to all local kids.

Our current focus is on our Free Bus Campaign, providing free transport to schools visiting The Dowse and Petone Settlers Museum.

A donation as small as $100 can get a whole class to The Dowse for a completely free, fun-filled and inspiring experience. A larger donation can support an entire school's visits to The Dowse.

We would like to thank early donors to the Free Bus Campaign, Petone-based company Steel and Tube and the Rotary Club of Hutt Valley.