Ruapehu District Council has endorsed the establishment of a Mayor’s Art Advisory Group to support the district’s creative sector and local artists.

The idea was proposed by Councillor John Chapman who, as a photographer himself, has long been a passionate supporter of local artists and the wider creative community.

The Advisory Group will provide a practical vehicle for artists and art supporters to work alongside Council on low-cost, high-impact initiatives that strengthen the arts across Ruapehu.

“We already have a number of ideas,” said Cr Chapman. “These include using Council spaces and publications to showcase local artists, integrating art into placemaking projects, increasing the involvement of rangatahi in arts, and supporting murals and public art installations.

“The Group will help us better use Council’s existing assets and connections to support the creative sector — without placing any additional burden on ratepayers or staff.

“Importantly, it will also give local artists and art groups a collective entity to help share the workload involved in promoting and championing the arts.”

Mayor Weston Kirton said Ruapehu has a rich artistic history and a diverse range of contemporary artists working across many mediums.

“Art brings our places to life through the telling of our stories and the portrayal of our people and landscapes,” Mayor Kirton said.

“It can be a powerful drawcard — helping make Ruapehu a place people want to visit and live and encouraging new creatives to make their home here.

“I’m pleased Council has endorsed the establishment of the Art Advisory Group and excited to see how it will promote our artists and strengthen the health of our creative sector.”

People interested in the work of the Mayor’s Art Advisory Group are encouraged to contact Councillor John Chapman.

The Mayor’s Art Advisory Group aims to provide a practical vehicle for artists and art supporters to work alongside Council on low-cost, high-impact initiatives that strengthen the arts across Ruapehu.

The painting shown hangs in the Mayor-Chief Executive office foyer in Taumarunui and is one of two original works by Peter McIntyre that Council owns.

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