The Dowse Art Museum is named after Mayor Percy and Mayoress Mary Dowse, both of whom died prior to the museum opening. Percy Dowse served as the mayor of Hutt City from 1950 to 1970. He was a firm believer in the principle of having physical, social, and cultural facilities in modern cities and he initiated a building phase in the city that saw the construction of landmark buildings such as the War Memorial Library, the Lower Hutt Town Hall, and the Ewen Bridge. He championed the addition of an art gallery to the building spree. His wife, Mary Dowse, was the first president of the Hutt Valley National Council of Women. She was also an ardent supporter of the arts. She teamed up with Elizabeth Harper from The Hutt Art Society, and the duo lobbied the City Council. They succeeded in their endeavour when, in 1963, the Council agreed to provide space for an art gallery. The gallery was originally housed in an extension of the War Memorial Library but after Mary died in a road accident in 1964 the City Council made a unanimous decision to honour her by constructing a new building for the art gallery. The museum was only partially completed when Percy died in 1970.
Directors •
David Millar was the founding director, heading the museum 1971–1976. He set the direction of the institution, including buying ceramics and decorative arts. •
Jim Barr was director 1976–1981. •
James Mack was director 1981–1988, He left to become director of the
Dunedin Public Art Gallery. •
Courtney Johnston was director 2012–2018, after roles at the
National Library of New Zealand and
Boost New Media where she worked in communications and web roles. •
Karl Chitham started as director January 2019, having been the director of
Tauranga Art Gallery. ==Holdings ==