Successful Rotorua Nightmare at the Museum raises $2000 for charity

Nightmare at the Museum 2018 - The Dark Arts Horror Walk. Photo / Natascha Hartzuiker

More than 300 people were brave enough to walk The Dark Arts horror walk over two nights of orchestrated terror to raise money for charity.

This year's chosen charity also played host to the event, with the Rotorua Arts Village Trust receiving $2000.

The Arts Village director Mary-Beth Acres said The Dark Arts was a "phenomenal event" and she enjoyed seeing the "special character of our heritage buildings explored in such a fun and unique way."

"The funds raised will help support our critical operations costs here at the village. The Arts Village is a non-profit community organisation that delivers events, workshops, activities, exhibitions, and art-making experiences for Rotorua.

"We rely on grant funding and fundraising support, and this donation will go a long way to supporting our belief that art in community is vital to being happy, healthy, and connected."

Nightmare at the Museum - The Dark Arts took place at the start of September and saw groups of six venturing through the dark corridors of The Arts Village.

Nightmare at the Museum 2018 - The Dark Arts Horror Walk. Photo / Natascha Hartzuiker

Attendees witnessed first-hand as innocent souls were tormented with the bizarre rituals of the dark arts and black magic.

This unique production continued the partnership between Rotorua Museum and Wildside Promotions, with Layla Robinson leading the creative direction of the event.

"Our volunteer cast and crew brought passion and dedication to their roles and I'm so grateful to them for their professionalism, improvisation and hard work. They really bring the nightmare to life," Robinson said.

Following the closure of Rotorua Museum in November 2016, the Arts Village was chosen as the new venue for the Nightmare at the Museum event.

A lot of planning went into turning the historic venue into the gruesome house of horrors using props, sound effects, special lighting and trickery.

Rotorua Museum event co-ordinator Tori Williams said while they did not top the record numbers from 2016, which saw 657 people attend, they were pleased with the event.

"It was the first time the event has been hosted outside of Rotorua Museum which brought new challenges.

"It was great to work closely with The Arts Village, and to be able to provide such a great donation towards the work they do within the Rotorua arts community was an added bonus."