Creative Places Awards 2002

Otago a winner in Creative Places Award 2002

Other winners: Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Waitakere and Nelson

Dunedin City Council as the host agent on behalf of the Otago region has won the Cultural Tourism/Economic Development Category of the Creative Places Award 2002 with the Otago Arts Guide, which profiles and maps 250 artists working throughout the Otago region

The seven category winners and the overall premier winner of the Creative Places Award 2002 were announced at the Local Government New Zealand conference in Rotorua today.

Creative New Zealand established the annual Creative Places Award in 1999 with the endorsement of Local Government New Zealand. Open to all local authorities that have actively supported arts projects, the 2002 Award received 32 entries across its seven categories.

"The Creative Places Award celebrates all the wonderful, innovative arts projects happening in communities throughout New Zealand," says Elizabeth Kerr, Chief Executive of Creative New Zealand. "We value our partnership with local government and this Award acknowledges its huge investment and commitment to the arts of this country."

The Otago Arts Guide aims to develop the economic base of the region's art community and position it as a region with a strong and vibrant arts community placed for growth in cultural tourism.

The Otago Arts Guide profiles and maps artist working throughout the Otago region with the aim of developing the economic base of the region's arts community and positioning Otago as region with a strong and vibrant arts community. As well as mapping the whereabouts and work of over 250 artists throughout Otago, the Guide contains profiles of leading Otago artists, information on museums and annual arts events.

A region wide partnership comprising representatives from Dunedin, Central Otago, Queenstown-Lakes, Waitaki and Clutha Districts was formed and consulted with arts communities in six districts before being able to identify the publication of an arts guide as the strategic initiative for the region.

The level of participation from arts practitioners was crucial to the overall success of the Otago Arts Guide. Their participation started with the series of public meetings and as the project developed newsletters were produced to ensure that artists registered with the Guide continued to be updated.

With financial support from a number of Otago's local authorities, regional and national agencies a project manager was employed for 12 months to co-ordinate the Guide project and deliver a high quality publication that generates cultural, economic and social outcomes for the region.

Key benefits of the project identified by the management team include; thinking at the regional level, the creation of a forum for regional arts development, local authority collaboration, the development of an Otago artists data base, greater visibility of Otago arts resources and the enhanced opportunities for support and networking within the Otago arts community.

It is intended that the Guide will be republished and updated every third year. Profits from the first edition will go towards future editions with the aim that the publication becomes self sustaining.

A strong working group, including representatives from Dunedin, Central Otago, Queenstown Lakes, Waitaki and Clutha districts, along with artists and iwi representatives, was formed to reflect the diversity of a large region. Arts communities in six districts were consulted and endorsed the publication of an arts guide as a strategic initiative for the region, its artists and communities. Five local authorities, Creative New Zealand, the Community Employment Group, the Community Trust of Otago and many artists also supported the Guide's production.

Launched in March 2002 , the Otago Arts Guide is now attracting interest nationally and internationally. It was supported through Creative New Zealand's Regional Strengths strategy.

"An enormous amount of work has gone into this project and a brilliant resource has been created," the judges said. "The City and District Councils have worked together to generate cultural, economic and social outcomes for the region."

Waitakere City Council won the premier Creative Places Award 2002 for its Massey Leisure Centre and Library, a building that integrates 17 artworks by local artists, the history of the area and the environment. The prize is a work of art, chosen by the local authority for public display and especially commissioned by Creative New Zealand. Waitakere City also won the Enhancing the Built Environment Category.

This year's judging panel was Frana Cardno, Mayor of Southland District Council; Roger King, Director of the Taranaki and Tauranga Arts Festivals; and Bernard Makoare, Ngäti Whatua artist and former local government manager.

Each of the seven category winners receives a specially commissioned carved wooden bowl by Auckland wood artist John Mackinven.

The Premier Winner: Massey Leisure Centre and Library, Waitakere City Council

Arts Support & Development Category: Artstation, Auckland City Council

Celebrating Cultural Identity & Diversity Category: First equal: TV2 Night Parade, Wellington City Council and Asia 2000 Lantern Festival 2002, Auckland City Council

Community Participation Initiatives Category: Christchurch Community Artists - Christchurch City Council Legal Art Programme, Christchurch City Council

Cultural Tourism/Economic Development Category: Otago Arts Guide, Dunedin City Council

Enhancing the Built Environment Category: Massey Leisure Centre and Library, Waitakere City Council

Major Arts Activities Category: Nelson Arts Festival 2001, Nelson City Council

Youth Initiatives Category: MERV and VERA, Wellington City Council

Judges' Citation This year, the judges also offered formal recognition to New Plymouth District Council for the Foreshore Coastal and Len Lye Wind Wand; Taupo District Council for Te Puna o te Taniwha; and the Waikato District Council for Whaingaroa Creative Sculptures.

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For further information on the Otago Arts Guide: Cara Paterson, Dunedin City Council Tel: 03- 474 3792 Email: cara.paterson@dcc.govt.nz

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