01 Sep 2021
Te Rōpū Mana Toi has welcomed Dolina Wehipeihana (Betsy & Mana Productions; Kaiārahi Māori, PANNZ; General Manager, Kia Mau Festival; Chair, Atamira Dance Company) to its group of arts advocates.
Te Rōpū Mana Toi was re-convened by Creative New Zealand in early 2021 to advise and advance arts advocacy work at the national level. The group offers an independent sector perspective, and is currently developing its vision and agenda.
“Our latest research shows that New Zealanders are more positive than ever about the vital role the arts play in our lives,” says Tracey Monastra, Creative New Zealand’s Advocacy Manager. “We’re committed to working with Te Rōpū Mana Toi to champion the transformative impact of the arts in Aotearoa and grow support for our creative communities, particularly within the context of our COVID-19 recovery.”
Since its establishment, the group has advised on Creative New Zealand’s advocacy agenda and future thinking policy work, and developed a series of vision statements to guide its own agenda. These statements focus on the role of the arts in wellbeing, an arts ecosystem fit for Aotearoa, creative pathways in education, and the essential role of the arts and artists in society. Collectively they drive toward a vision of a country where all communities can enjoy the benefits of arts, culture and creativity.
“As a group, we believe that the arts can play a major role in telling the stories of Aotearoa. They create space for important conversations about our national identity and help to strengthen our communities,” says Karl Chitham (Head of Museums Hutt City Council, Director Dowse Art Museum, Co-Chair CIRCUIT Artist Moving Image Aotearoa New Zealand, Wairau Māori Art Gallery Trustee). “We’re energised and look forward to progressing this advocacy work with Creative New Zealand.”
If you’re aware of any advocacy focussed mahi that you’d like to share, we’d love to hear about it. As our work develops, we want to work collectively and tautoko what others are doing. Get in touch with our team at: advocacy@creativenz.govt.nz
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