17 May 2012

Artists adrift

7/12/2011 9:37:00 a.m.

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THE drift north of local artists to Auckland is one of the concerns behind the council’s draft Arts and Culture strategy. Councillor Ahipene-Mercer, portfolio leader for Arts and Culture, says that and the pressure currently being experienced by local arts organisations such as Downstage Theatre are two reasons the Arts strategy was necessary.
“[In Auckland] they have a regional amenities fund that we can’t match,” says Councillor Ahipene-Mercer. The fund is to ensure financial security for local organisations.
Public feedback on the draft strategy has been summarised and was presented to the council by council officers yesterday. It is to be debated by councillors tomorrow, Thursday, December 8.
Councillor Ahipene-Mercer says the proposals within the Wellington strategy have been met with “incredibly strong support”.
“The council has been involved in the arts in Wellington for more than 20 years now. It was time to look at what areas we’d consider revising and refreshing to raise the bar,” explains Councillor Ahipene-Mercer, “We targeted a wide representation of arts practitioners for consultation.”
The council is also keen to keep attracting people to New Zealand’s creative capital.
“With Wellington’s widespread horizon of creative activity there’s a high degree of tolerance,” explains Councillor Ahipene-Mercer, “We get people coming to live here to bring up their children because they value those key elements.”
He says Thursday’s meeting at the council is an opportunity to debate the strategy and vote on any possible changes, “then we’ll look at how we’re we going to implement it.”
To view the Arts and Culture strategy ‘Feedback on consultation’ report, visit the ‘Have your say’ section of the council website.
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Cover Story

Best of Wellington 2011

Briefs

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