Pukekohe’s Franklin Arts Centre will reopen from 30 June.
Franklin Local Board chair Andy Baker says the centre’s “interim service approach” will update when decisions around Auckland Council’s emergency budget are made.
“The community will be pleased to see the venue open again and we need to thank everyone for their patience as we have worked through reopening our venues in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
From Tuesday the centre will open weekdays from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
During the lockdown the centre used online platforms to offer programmes but when it reopens the gallery shop, community gallery and Weta workshop will all return to normal.
The current “Petrol Head” exhibition by mouth and foot painter Grant Sharman will run from 20 July – 10 August, while a rollout of community exhibitions to follow through to the end of the year.
The New Zealand Steel Gallery will open with an exhibition ready-to-go until 25 August, and others being planned, including reduced Franklin arts and film festivals.
“It’s great news for our community,” Baker says. “Residents have been making their support known and they have clearly been missing it.
“With exhibitions booked and payments made but the doors closed, the board has pushed hard for a reopening because the centre services a huge are and there are no alternatives.”
