Auckland Art Fair taps into fast-growing cultural tourism market

Now an annual event following its success in 2018, the Auckland Art Fair is using the city’s waterfront to showcase New Zealand and Pacific art.

Aiming to stake its claim as world-class arts destination, the Fair, which opens today is tapping into the fast-growing art tourism market.

A recent report from Australia Council for the Arts found that visitors to Australia were more likely to go to an arts event or activity (43%) than to visit wineries (13%), casinos (12%) or organised sporting events (6%).

Stuart Turner, Head of Major Events at Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED), sees that the findings of this report are useful to Auckland, advising “the Auckland Art Fair is the perfect event to lift our promotion of Auckland as an arts destination to the next level. It is an unmissable opportunity for locals and visitors to experience world-class art. And importantly for Auckland - and New Zealand - its focus is on the Pacific region, with New Zealand art at its core.”

At this year’s event, some of the best galleries from the Pacific will show off the work of more than 150 artists, both local and international talent.

Turner adds “Auckland is a fantastic destination for hosting artists and art lovers. It is a region that already inspires artists - it can also inspire its visitors.”

ATEED and Auckland Art Fair have together produced videos featuring local artists who have found inspiration in the multifaceted region.

The Auckland Art Fair will be held at The Cloud on Auckland’s Queens Wharf, from today (Wednesday 1st May) to Sunday 5th May 2019.

For further information go to artfair.co.nz

Image: Misa Shin Gallery (Tokyo) stand at Auckland Art Fair 2018, courtesy Matt Hunt.