A Call To Arts

NEWS RELEASE

A CALL TO ARTS

Auckland and Manukau City Councils are seeking the most committed and passionate of Auckland’s arts supporters to turn vision into reality as first trustees of $6 million to be invested in the region’s arts and culture.

The Councils are taking the next major step in the process of forming the Arts Regional Trust (ART) by seeking its founding trustees. ART will be an independent body responsible for managing and increasing the Councils’ combined share - around $6 million - of Auckland Regional Services Trust (ARST) funds made available for arts and cultural purposes.

Auckland Mayor Chris Fletcher and Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis say the trust needs highly motivated, skilled and experienced people with a passion for the arts to take up the challenge.

People wishing to be considered for trustee positions have until November 16 to express their interest.

Chris Fletcher says: “As with any long-term vision, we will only realise it through the passion and sheer hard work of committed people. Getting the right people is vital to the trust’s success in creating a legacy for the future of Auckland’s art world.

“Under the trustees’ guardianship, ART will give a huge boost to arts and culture throughout the Auckland Region. It will provide an opportunity to create and increase a base of funds to produce art of regional significance.”
Sir Barry Curtis says: “The trustees will be charged with the responsibility of delivering on the promise this opportunity creates. It will not be an easy task and will require a high level of expertise and, more importantly, a passion for the unique talent that is in our cities.

“Through Auckland and Manukau pooling their funds we can now create a trust that will ensure our artists stay and create in the area that provides their inspiration with the aim of enhancing our respective cities’ cultural heritage.”

The Councils are looking for people with a commitment to the development of arts and culture that reflect the region’s diversity. Trustees will also have a range of expertise, including financial, legal, marketing and business skills, as well as an understanding of biculturalism and multiculturalism.

The two Councils agreed in November last year that, unlike other local authorities in the region, they would pursue a regional partnership to administer their share of the ARST funding when it was dissolved in 1998. North Shore, Waitakere, Rodney, Papakura, and Franklin councils elected to retain funds locally.

As trust distributions will be made from income only, the trust will seek to increase capital, through investment and fundraising, to create a long-term funding base. Guidelines for the disposal of income will also be developed, as both Councils agree that the trust must be active from the outset.

Potential trustees should contact Julie Campbell at Auckland City Council on (09) 379 2020, or Karen Raynes at Manukau City Council on (09) 262 8900 ext. 8725, or email HYPERLINK mailto:ART@akcity.govt.nz ART@akcity.govt.nz for an information pack and submission guidelines.

ENDS
For further information, please contact:

Liz Civil, Senior Funding Advisor, Auckland City, tel: 379 2020.

Geraldine Wilson, Service Planner, Manukau City Council, tel: 263 7100

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