The National Art Exhibition Annual Grant

The National Art Exhibition (ARTEX) is not just a sale of artists’ paintings. It is an opportunity for art lovers to see a diverse collection of paintings all in one place featuring the work of top artists from all over New Zealand and all for sale. The Rotary Club of Greenmeadows has been organising and running this event for thirty years and over this time all the profits generated go to charity. It is an opportunity for art lovers to buy a work of art which they will enjoy for years, while at the same time, they are contributing to projects which provide benefits for our community. Funds earned over the years are heading up to half a million dollars.

Following ARTEX, the local community is invited to apply for the National Art Exhibition Grant. There are conditions. The Grant must be used for capital work and not running costs, and there needs to be a broad benefit created by the capital work.

2000

In 2000, the Grant of $20,000 went to the Faraday Centre; a Museum of early machinery and implements in Napier and the money was used to establish two classrooms. These were used for local schoolchildren to study the working exhibits of the machinery used by the early settlers.

2001

In 2001, Birthright’s Magic House was the recipient of the $20,000 Grant. Birthright has a refuge for boys age 12-17 years who have needed the specialised care of Birthright for various reasons. The money was used to provide more accommodation with two bedroom dormitories with bathroom facilities.

2002

Taradale Junior Cricket received $20,000 in 2002. The Cricket Club caters for boys under 13, under 15 and under 17, from all the Taradale schools and the money provided new equipment including practice nets for a wide range of young people.

2003

In 2003 the Rotary Pathway Trust were awarded the Grant of $25,000. The Trust was established in 2002 to create combined cycleways and walkways around Napier and the suburbs. Pathway funding sources have included Napier's Rotary clubs, the Napier City Council, charitable trusts, private donations, Transit New Zealand and Port of Napier Ltd.  There are now well over 70 Km of pathways including the riverbanks with plans to extend them further. The Hastings areas have also developed their network and they are interconnected with Napier with clip-on’s on the bridges.  The pathways are very popular and well used by the public.

2004

The Hawke’s Bay Cultural Trust received $25,000 in 2004 for a project to publicise the vast collection of early Napier photographs that are held by the Napier Museum. The plan was to have computer stations where the public could access the collection and purchase the photographs on line. Time was spent putting the photos in digital form but unfortunately there was negligible opportunity for the public.

2005

In 2005 the Rotary Pathway Trust received a second Grant of $25,000.

2006

The Napier Community Patrol was formed in 2006 and received a Grant that year of $25,000 which was used to purchase two cars for patrolling the city and suburbs. The effect of the Grant was the complete opposite to the previous year with the cars being well used, all by volunteers, seven days a week, to the benefit of Napier citizens. Police figures show an appreciable decline in small case crime since the patrol started.

2007

In 2007 the Art Grant of $25,000 went to the Napier Branch of Riding for the Disabled. Again, a volunteer group helping disabled children. The money was used to modernise an old hall that they had been gifted. The hall was modified so that it could be used for teaching courses for volunteer instructors and helpers from all over New Zealand, as well as their own use and was fitted out with a good kitchen and toilets. It also gave room for the EIT equine course classes lectures.

2008

The Hawke’s Bay Air Ambulance received a grant in 2008 of $20,000. This was used to purchase patient lifters as the patient stretcher has to be hoisted to the level of the narrow access door at the rear of the aircraft. With some patients over 150kg, this was a daunting job lifting an unwell or injured patient into the aircraft. The service now has lifts based at Napier, Wairoa and the Chatham Islands.

2009

In 2009, the Grant of $20,000 went to the Rainbow Umbrella Charitable Trust. This Trust was established to provide an After School Care Programme for children with disabilities, both physical and intellectual. The children are taken care of after school and this is the only programme in Hawke’s Bay that caters for these children. The life of children with significant disabilities presents huge challenges and pressures, for both the child and their families. The grant was used to purchase a small mini bus to collect children and return them home.

2010

The 2010 Grant of $20,000 went to help an ambitious programme for the Scout Association’s Weka Point at Rissington. This involves building a bridge across to their campsite at and our Grant will be used to construct an accommodation hut which will have the named the Rotary Club of Greenmeadows Hut.