The Wellington Sculpture Trust was established in 1982 and is a voluntary and independent charitable trust dedicated to enriching Wellington by providing contemporary innovative public art for the city.
We have installed 31 permanent works in the city centre, waterfront, along Cobham Drive near Wellington’s airport, and in the Botanic Garden.
The large body of work that is now in these locations provides for three distinct sculpture walks that enable people to enjoy the works in the gardens, on the waterfront, or in the CBD, as well as being able to enjoy them as they get about the city.
The Trust has also commissioned and installed 10 temporary works. Our aim is not only to commission public works of art, but also to encourage and support sculptural practice in New Zealand.
All our permanent sculptures, with one notable exception (the Henry Moore) are by prominent New Zealand sculptors. Their contribution to our cityscape is enduring and enriches the creative atmosphere of the city; making art accessible to everyone, and raising awareness, understanding and appreciation of contemporary public sculpture.
Ultimately these works make Wellington a better place to live and visit.
The focus is on permanent public sculptures, however, in 2008 the Trust established the 4 Plinths Sculpture Project - a temporary biennial installation. Since 2020 this project has been supported through the generosity of the Collin Post Family Trust.
We also periodically run sculpture tours, walks and talks, as well as symposiums facilitating speakers to inform, enhance and contribute to the debate on what constitutes public art.
Informed by many years of commissioning works in public spaces, the Trust has a particular expertise in the rigours required to select, maintain, and assess for robustness and the health and safety requirements that come with working in public spaces.
We have a particularly special relationship with the Wellington City Council, built over many years through mutual trust and the palpable difference the Trust has made to the city. We have also been assisted along the way by sponsors, donors and members who have helped us deliver the sculptures that now make up our walks.