23 Oct 2024
A partnership with Local Government New Zealand is driving up councils’ awareness of the role of the arts in place making and planning.
With more than 750 key decisions makers under one roof, the LGNZ annual Conference is a key annual milestone to progress our advocacy.
“Every year, local government invests between $500 and $600 million in the arts which not only contributes to the sense of place but is a key lever for economic growth. In 2023 alone, arts and culture brought $16.3 billion into the New Zealand economy,” Susan Freeman-Greene, Chief executive of Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) says.
Cara Paterson, Advocacy Senior Adviser with Creative New Zealand says the team worked with LGNZ to integrate short punchy arts experiences into the conference as a creative way to keep arts on the agenda.
Barbarian Productions developed a series of ‘micro-interventions’ to bring creativity into the programme. Andrew Laking from Lōemis curated the creative elements of the award ceremonies and the conference dinner.
“In times of economic downturn, investment in the arts can falter if decisions makers aren’t reminded of the value of the arts,” Cara Paterson said.
Meg Williams, CEO of the World of Wearable Art (WOW), brought that point home when she spoke to the value arts and creative events bring to local communities and the national economy during the panel session on regional growth. Arts and culture contributed $16.3 billion to the economy in 2023, with WOW alone bringing $30 million in economic benefit to Wellington.
Susan Freeman-Greene says if the Government is to realise its vision that New Zealand is as well known internationally for its arts and creativity as it is for its dairy products and beautiful scenery, investment in the arts need to continue.
“Conference is a forum that brings together councils, the Government, and the private sector. We are proud of the longstanding partnership with Creative New Zealand to bring creativity to the fore and champion it as a key driver of economic prosperity and growth as well as providing moments of relief or hope in difficult times,” Susan Freeman-Greene said.
Creative New Zealand Investments Adviser Rena Silipa also attended the LGNZ conference, and the Te Maruata hui held the day before. Māori Strategy and Partnerships Manager Piki Diamond joined her for Te Maruata, which represents the elected Māori members in local government across Aotearoa.
Rena focuses on the Creative Communities Scheme (CCS), a devolved fund that supports more than 1,800 local projects each year across Aotearoa’s 67 District Councils. The hui and conference confirmed the need for strong relationships across the system to support equitable outcomes.
“There are amazing people in our communities doing great work. We need to collaborate better, work together (mahi tahi), and share all the good things between organisations that play a big role in our districts and country,” Rena says.
At Te Maruata, Piki listened particularly for members' challenges and aspirations for ngā toi Māori. Piki says the kōrero about members’ aspirations for ngā toi Māori was useful.
“It will help to inform some of the work we are doing under our Te Hā Māori Arts Strategy.”
Piki sees an opportunity for Creative New Zealand to offer more than funding, through sharing progress towards implementing Te Tiriti o Waitangi, sharing policy development, and supporting councils with accountability to and collaboration with Māori partnerships.
CATEGORIES: Community arts, Advocacy Latest news and blog
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