Call for entries to Creative Places Awards 2005

Media release
Date: 21 April 2005

Creative New Zealand calls for entries to Creative Places Awards 2005

"Creativity isn't about the biggest budget"

"Size doesn't matter. Small towns can punch above their weight and compete with the big boys." That's the message from Steve Parry, Chief Executive of the Gore District Council, for district and city councils entering their arts projects in the Creative Places Awards 2005.

Last year, the Gore District Council won the Premier Creative Places Award for its redevelopment of the John Money Wing and the Eastern Southland Gallery. Now, Creative New Zealand is inviting city and district councils throughout New Zealand to enter their innovative arts-based projects in the Creative Places Awards 2005, as well as nominate individuals whom they believe deserve the Outstanding Individual Contribution Award. The closing date for entries and nominations is 5pm, Friday 13 May.

"Creativity isn't about the biggest budget and biggest physical feature," Mr Parry said. "Smaller councils invariably have close links to their community, which can be a rich source of ideas and support. Good ideas that result in a sense of community and feeling of pride, as well as a compelling new feature on the creative landscape, can be a major attraction not just for the community but across the country and internationally.

"That's what happened in Gore and winning the top Creative Places Award last year was a fine recognition for everyone who supported what was an ambitious project for a small community."

The Outstanding Individual Contribution Award was introduced last year and awarded to Naomi McCleary, Waitakere City Council's Arts Adviser since 1992. This award recognises individuals working within the local government environment who have made a positive difference to the profile or practice of the arts in their area. Nominations may be made by local authorities, council-controlled organisations and community arts councils.

Elizabeth Kerr, Chief Executive of Creative New Zealand, says that over the years, the Creative Places Awards have highlighted many exciting projects that have helped change the way people feel about their communities.

"It's a great opportunity for local authorities, large and small, to profile their innovative arts projects," Miss Kerr says. "Previous winning projects have been inspirational in the way they've demonstrated communities working together to provide creative places, spaces and activities."

The Creative Places Awards 2005 are open to projects that have been established and actively supported by the local authority. There are four categories and in each of these categories a prize is awarded to the outstanding entry from both a city council and a district council. A premier winner is chosen from among the district and city council winners of each of the four categories. The categories are:

- Commissions and public artworks (e.g. sculpture, amenities, enhancement projects, murals, bridges, CBD developments, arts integration)
- Built environment (e.g. buildings, facilities, landscape design, libraries, community centres, CBD developments, arts integration, galleries, performance venues)
- Cultural festivals and arts events (e.g. parades, cultural festivals, special events)
- Arts provision (e.g. library strategies for use by the community, cultural strategies, major arts policy development, participation projects and initiatives, community development, heritage trails, partnerships and trusts).

For more information, entry forms and nomination forms contact Kate Gallagher (Tel: 09-4373 3077 Email: kateg@creativenz.govt.nz). Entry and nomination forms can also be downloaded from the Resources section of Creative New Zealand's website (www.creativenz.govt.nz ).

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What previous winners have said:

- "At a personal level, I was surprised, overwhelmed and delighted at the acknowledgement. But beyond that, it's opened up opportunities to promote the work that Waitakere City does in the arts and has made people feel proud of living in this great city." - Naomi McCleary, winner of the inaugural 2004 Outstanding Individual Contribution Award

- "Winning this supreme award is a huge day for Taranaki and all the people, the organisations and the thinkers that got involved in making the project happen." - New Plymouth Mayor Peter Tennent.

The New Plymouth District Council won the Premier Creative Places Award 2003 for its museum and library, Puke Ariki.

- "Hundertwasser's willingness to work with the community, followed by the national recognition and profile that the Creative Places Award gave to Kawakawa, had an amazing effect on the local community and their sense of pride. In fact, it's been a huge catalyst in reviving the town and has resulted in a fabulous project called Go Kawakawa." - Far North Mayor Yvonne Sharpe

The Far North District Council won the Premier Creative Places Award 2000 for the Hundertwasser-designed toilet block in Kawakawa.

- "Winning the Creative Places Awards has rewarded all the people who work tirelessly to ensure Wellington remains a dynamic, vibrant city. It's also reinforced its position as the arts and cultural capital of New Zealand." - Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast

Wellington City Council won the inaugural Premier Creative Places Award 1999 for its Summer City '98 festival and the Premier Creative Places Award 2001 for Parihaka - The Art of Passive Resistance.

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