Arts continue to deliver value for New Zealanders

More than 2.19 million New Zealanders attended arts activities funded by Creative New Zealand in 2017/18.

Creative New Zealand’s Annual report 2017/18, which details its investment and progress over the past year, shows that the arts agency invested $42.466 million in the arts, supporting the sector through funding, capability building and advocacy programmes.

Commenting on the engagement, Creative New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen Wainwright, advised “we’re delighted that public investment via Creative New Zealand is contributing to record levels of public engagement, both locally and internationally.”

More than 265,000 people participated in funded arts activities, 1,878 new art works were developed and almost 600 grants were awarded through a range of programmes including grants, international opportunities, residencies and fellowships.

Explaining that a strategy-led investment was a major focus for Creative New Zealand during 2017/18, Wainwright added “we’ve worked closely with the arts sector to shape our strategic direction and implemented our Investment Strategy Te Ara Whakamua 2018-2023 to ensure we’re building an arts investment portfolio fit for the future needs of the arts in New Zealand.

“The strategy responds to the ways in which Aotearoa is changing and our newly released Pacific Arts Strategy and developing Māori Arts Strategy align with its priorities.”

Some of the highlights included in the annual report are the annual audience development conference Nui Te Kōrero, the ngā toi Māori roadshow throughout the country and the third Pacific Arts Summit.

Creative New Zealand also made significant changes to the way it works so it can better support artists and arts organisations. All funding and development opportunities are now independently peer assessed to inform decision-making and specialist teams have been created for each area of funding, assessment, capability building, international development, multi-year investment and artform expertise.

New Zealanders and the arts
Creative New Zealand published its latest triennial research New Zealanders and the Arts and Audience Atlas 2017 including, for the first time, a breakdown of data by region. This better equips arts communities throughout the country to advocate for the value of the arts in their own towns and cities.

Wainwright added “we continue to see evidence of how engagement in the arts improves our health and wellbeing, develops talent, builds prosperous communities and reflects the diversity of New Zealand’s population.”

Examples included in the annual report are the Pacifica Mamas’ recent exhibition in Henderson, Auckland, the sell-out of Auckland University Press’ first te reo only publication, Chamber Music New Zealand’s partnership with the IHC Foundation and the national tour of Rodney Bell’s Meremere.

Click here to view the Arts Council Annual Report 2017/18 on the Creative New Zealand website.

Images: The New Zealand Dance Company's Time. Courtesy of the New Zealand Dance Company (top) and Stephen Wainwright (below).