Art, supercities and living under a rock

On Tuesday 1st September I attended a meeting about the future of the arts under a supercity structure. It was pretty full. But it was patently obvious that I was one of only about half a dozen of my age group, if not one of the youngest people there. It was also curious to note how much of the meeting was not aimed or in the interest of the younger generation of creative folk, but mainly at bigger organisations and groups (hardly surprising as they were well represented in the crowd). These arts organisations are of course vital in the giant quilt that makes up Auckland’s arts sector. However there are other significant networks of arts practitioners that I suspect don’t even know that there may be serious repercussions for them too.

You, o creative young person, are not excluded from this building of a supercity. Despite what you may think, we in the arts sector are currently fairly well connected and supported by local body councils. It could be that exhibition opening or performance you went to at a council funded arts building. It’s that application for Creative Communities funding. It’s that opportunity to perform or exhibit your works at an Auckland festival. It’s a book week or a writing course at a council supported centre. Then there are those plans for events that will need significant financial support. Or beyond finances, there’s the information or statistics you need about the arts and culture, advice from your local council arts administrator, the access to regional arts websites, the permission to use a public place for an arts-related event. This is just touching on the support and relationships that local council provides.

Why then, does it seem that you are not interested? Perhaps it’s the lack of information and communication from the government. Perhaps it’s the speed that this has taken place. Perhaps you simply don’t know that it’s happening. Or maybe you’re not aware of what exists now, and what might not exist in the future.

Through the last few months I have been heavily involved in the Creative People’s Centre as their web and content administrator. Through this job I’ve learnt a lot about what’s happening, but I still don’t know the half of it. Judging from Tuesday’s meeting, the people operating the supercity machinery maybe don’t know as much as they should either, as they struggled somewhat woefully to provide clear answers to a tide of complaints, questions and concerns. This is worrying stuff. However my approach is to think about the things I do know, and work from there.

I do know is that my career is always going to be in the arts. I want the arts to be valued and supported. I want it to be known how it slots in and is integrated with so many other areas of society. I may not eventually live in Auckland, but I want it to be somewhere where a creative person can live and feel recognised, connected, and valued for their contribution.

At the meeting the focus seemed to be on grander side of the art world, with discussions on such things as creating regional arts policies, and the new council upholding existing long term plans. For the average artistic citizen, this talk might not be their cup of tea, rightly or wrongly. But this is the point where I get concerned with who will speak about the grassroots level of the arts. The level that allows emerging artists, musicians, writers and actors to try out their artform, collaborate with others, make sustainable networks and generally feel supported. Who is going to speak in favour of a multi-generational, multi-discipline art sector that thrives on integration? These are the areas of the arts that I believe really need to be made known to, and incorporated into the designs of, the architects of the supercity.

Of course at the end of the day the arts scene isn’t going to just die off, because that’s simply not the nature of it. But this supercity will play its part in colouring and shaping the future of it. And you, o creative young person, are next in line, so it’s important not to be in denial of its imminent arrival, and instead do what you do best – get creative with adversity and with opportunities. I look forward to seeing what you come up with, and I hope I see it soon.

Useful sites for information:
Creative People’s Centre www.cpc.org.nz
The Big Idea www.thebigidea.co.nz
Scoop www.scoop.co.nz

ENDS

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