In a new move to make Waikato’s leading arts facilities more accessible, Waikato Museum and ArtsPost Galleries & Shop will remain open until 7.00pm every Thursday from 15 January until 12 March 2015.

Waikato Museum Director Cherie Meecham says the  initiative to extend gallery hours was inspired by several drivers including the desire to enliven the central city and attract people who may not have the time to visit during the day.

“Both venues are open seven days until 4.30pm but we see this as an opportunity for Waikato-based families and working professionals to access our galleries during the late summer months in the early evening.”

Waikato Museum will open several new exhibitions during this time including The Perfect Pitch – A Waikato cricket story from 6 February and a Dick Frizzell show, When Tom and Elizabeth Took the Farm from 21 February.  At ArtsPost  current exhibitions by Kate Hill, Fiona Tunnicliffe and Wilma Jennings will be renewed from 13 February with works by artists Terry Moyle, Joyce Fleming and Patrick Tyman.

The Open Late at the Museum series will feature a number of  free evening arts talks:

• Art for Beginners with curator Leafa Wilson, Thursday 15 January and 26 February, 5.30-6.30pm 
• Remembering Ralph with singer/artist Waimihi Hotere, Thursday 22 January, 5.30-6.30pm
• Hotere Culbert with arts expert Peter Dornauf, Thursday 29 January, 5.30-6.30pm
• Perfect Pitch with turf specialist Karl Johnson, Thursday 26 February, 5.30-6.30pm
• Maaori Weavers with weaving experts Kahu and Rangi Te Kanawa, Thursday 5 March, 5.30-6.30pm

Entry to Waikato Museum and ArtsPost is free, however an admission fee applies to some galleries. For more information visit waikatomuseum.co.nz.