Northland looking at funding options for the arts

Chris Carey

Getting the Hundertwasser Wairau Maori Art Centre off the ground is not the only arts challenge in the region, local arts facilitators say.

Culture Heritage Arts Resource Trust (Chart) chief executive Chris Carey there was good council support for the arts but Northland artists relied on the ASB Community Trust whereas most other regions have alternative funding bodies as well.

Mr Carey said in the current climate a lack of patronage made it difficult for artists, particularly those who were up and coming, to support themselves.

"We're trying to create a philanthropic environment that can support the arts community in the long term," he said.

"We're also keen for artists to understand the business world. In other words, understand how their art can make money."

Chart understood Creative NZ was a national organisation and did not specifically allocate money to the regions, he said, though it might be time to have a conversation about how to ensure regions don't get left behind.

Creative New Zealand funding in Northland has fluctuated during the past five financial years between $227,431 in 2010 and a peak of $594,526 in 2013.

"We also understand that a certain amount of arts will never make income," Mr Carey said.

"The arts isn't just a money making industry.

"There's also a need for experimental and on-the-edge, contemporary expression, which we support."

The downside of the changing arts environment was old arts skills that had traditionally done well in Northland were being lost, he said.

"For many years, crafts such as pottery, ceramics, jewellery and glass have been a great tourism product for Northland, but there aren't young people coming through taking up those skills because there's no incentive."