Arts – For Work And Play

26 October, 2004

Arts – For Work And Play

New Zealand’s first comprehensive arts participation guide will be published in Christchurch next year by the Christchurch Community Arts Council.

“It’s the first of several strategic initiatives aimed at coordinating the distribution of information and resources to the arts in Christchurch. We’re responding to a real community need with this Guide,” says Executive Chair, Aden Shillito.

Users can easily navigate the comprehensive listings to select classes, performers, speakers, venues, special retreats or holiday programmes to satisfy their own individual needs or to make a project become reality. Administrators and practitioners can also access vital resources to increase their networks and income, enabling a sustainable arts market for the future.

The publication will comprise approximately 500 cross-referenced listings of artists, performers, musicians, actors, dancers, singers, teachers, bands, groups and venues. Listings will be grouped by arts discipline, including visual arts, craft and object art, performing arts, living arts, music, maori and pacific art and literary arts.

Free listings in the publication are offered to all local arts-based individuals and organsiations offering opportunities to participate in the arts. Those with access to the Internet can upload and amend their listings online.

- more - The Guide concept was developed as a result of research undertaken by the Christchurch City Council in 2003, The Arts Scene in Christchurch: A Survey of Arts Participation. The survey results showed a high level of annual arts participation (90%); “active participation” (65%) such as a teacher, tutor, student, creator, performer, interpreter, technician, critic or academic; and interest in trying other arts activities (59%). The project also received the support of 89% of industry participants surveyed by the Christchurch Community Arts Council earlier this year.

“Everyone on our database will be contacted over the coming weeks.” says Shillito. “But in order to establish a useful community network we’re encouraging everyone to participate.”

For inclusion complete a form online at www.artadventures.co.nz/ccac/ (case sensitive) or contact CACC: (03) 379 4287 or chchcommunityarts@clear.net.nz

About Christchurch Community Arts Council Christchurch Community Arts Council has been serving the community for more than 25 years and currently operates as a funding body with advocacy and project development roles.

The organisation is recognised by, and receives significant support from the Christchurch City Council and is represented on the assessment committee of Creative New Zealand’s Creative Communities Funding Scheme.

A voluntary body, made up of 13 elected members of the Christchurch arts community, CCAC was established under the QE II Arts Council of New Zealand (now Creative New Zealand). Projects initiated by the CCAC have included the Christchurch Arts Trail, and artists.co.nz, which are now sustained by private enterprise.

ENDS

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