Auckland Council votes to support annual festival

Auckland Council today voted unanimously in support of a trial annual festival as part of its budget meeting.

The Council voted to provide for additional funding to the Festival for a trial annual festival in 2016.

This means the Auckland Arts Festival has three festivals in a row from 2015.

Victoria Carter, chair says: “This gives the festival a chance to further cement its place as a key arts and culture event in New Zealand.

“The Auckland Arts Festival is a key cultural asset of Auckland City. By giving us this additional funding to go annual this Council can proudly say they have helped create a legacy that brings people together, enriches our lives and will contribute to Auckland being an arts and entertainment centre - a critical element of a ‘liveable city.’ It is a recognition of the importance of the arts as a core element of our cultural heritage.

“We are absolutely thrilled – so many people have put huge effort in and helped us grow the Festival to here – going annual is the next stage of engaging more Aucklanders in the arts, their communities in their city.”

David Inns, Chief Executive, says, “The last Auckland Arts Festival in 2013 more than doubled audiences and box office income. Our exciting programme truly engaged with Auckland and increased the numbers of young people, the Asian community, Pacific and Maori audiences attending festival events.

“Nearly half the Festival attendees were under 45. We programme the festival to be accessible and our pricing is affordable which makes people feel welcome to attend and comfortable when they do, ends Mr Inns.

Ends

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