Examples of work include:
Tim played a leading role through the development of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s national museum. As Senior Curator (Art) he was involved in exhibition concept development, collection development, audience research, brand development within a highly strategic context still regarded as an international benchmark. As a consultant Tim continues to work with the Te Papa team and has undertaken a number of strategic development projects with regional galleries & museums under the auspices of Te Papa’s National Services Te Paerangi programme.
As director Tim led the strategic and physical redevelopment of The Dowse Art Museum between 1998 and 2008. When the institution reopened as TheNewDowse in February 2007 in a significantly expanded facility, its strategic focus was on creativity as a transformative agent in life. Expanding from its traditional art and craft focus, TheNewDowse generated award winning shows on art, craft, design, creative entrepreneurship, youth development, creative industries, fashion, art-science collaborations etc. Over the decade of Tim’s leadership visitation increased by 100%, revenue grew six fold and TheNewDowse developed a strong national and international profile.
Tim works with Creative NZ both as a regular strategic assessor for arts funding applications and as a consultant assisting with internal strategic planning, facilitation and sector capability building. As a contract with Creative NZ Tim led strategic planning programmes with many of New Zealand’s leading arts organisations during 2013 and will continue this work in 2014. His unique mix of strategic thinking and a lifelong involvement in the arts, cultural and community sectors result mean Tim bring a strong focus on building the strategic clarity and rigour required for transformative outcomes and sustained success.
As an Aucklander returning to the City in 2008 Tim has loved the opportunity to be involved in a significant number of projects for a number of Council divisions including Arts and Culture and Arts, as well as working with three local boards and two of Auckland's CCOs – Waterfront Auckland and Regional Facilities Auckland. Based on active listening and faring good questions Tim and his project-based associates bring experience, a high level of expertise, extensive networks (and an ability to join the dots) and a strategic approach to bear on every project they work on.
Tim Walker Associates has been a sub-consultant to urban design specialists, Urbanism+, on a range of projects including the Hastings Civic Square redevelopment and the Ponsonby Road Masterplan. As a sub-consultant on urban design projects we bring a wealth of arts, cultural and heritage knowledge and a developed sense of identifying options for core stories and narratives that can provide meaningful platforms for urban design, place-making and community building.
The Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust supports the development of contemporary pacific art through actively fostering and maintaining links between contemporary pacific visual artists. Tim’s wide range of networks and experience of working in the arts and with Pasifika and Maori communities provide a platform for mentoring emerging and established artists, brokering partnerships and new venture development opportunities and providing ongoing strategic advice.