Artist prints have been released this week to raise funds for a proposed whale museum planned for Picton, New Zealand.

The concept for the National Whale Centre, which will eventually be housed in converted shipping containers looking over Picton's coast, was launched in June.

Marlborough District Council has donated funding for the project's concept development phase and will provide land for the attraction which will detail New Zealand's whaling history as well as current conservation efforts for whales and dolphins.

New Zealand artist Dick Frizzell and poet Sam Hunt have collaborated on the limited edition prints titled One for the Whales and other artists have also expressed interest in creating prints for the project.

A total of 53 of the world's 87 whale species pass through New Zealand waters, and Kaikoura - less than two hours drive from Picton - is a popular whale watching site.

Once developed the museum is expected to provide jobs and economic benefits to the Marlborough district, attracting domestic and international tourists.

Project director Luit Bieringa, an ex-director of the National Art Gallery, said combining the history and future of the marine environment in one museum is a world first.