Govett-Brewster Art Gallery

The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery opened in 1970 as a contemporary art space located in New Plymouth, New Zealand. The name comes from its founding donor Monica Brewster (nee Govett).

Since then it has presented a dynamic programme of exhibitions featuring art by local, national and international artists, supported and extended by an ever-changing series of events and opportunities to stimulate ideas, prompt conversations, and enrich the imagination.

In 1977 the Gallery held New Zealand’s first exhibition of work by expat Kiwi artist Len Lye, which led to the establishment of the Len Lye Foundation following the artist’s death in 1980, leaving his work and archive to the People of New Zealand, housed in New Plymouth.

This gift resulted in the creation of the Len Lye Centre, which opened to much critical acclaim within the Govett-Brewster in 2015.

The Govett-Brewster is a committed supporter of artists, relentlessly dedicated to generating new projects, exhibitions, publications, events and discussions that extend conversations about contemporary culture.

Its exhibitions are presented through three suites annually, and supported by an on-site art-house cinema, retail store, active publishing programme, popular education programme, and a valued range of partners and supporters including the Govett-Brewster Foundation and the Friends of the Gallery. The Govett-Brewster remains owned and primarily funded by New Plymouth District Council.