Downstage and Circa Under Threat

Wellington’s two oldest theatre companies have been left in the lurch by a decision announced today by Creative New Zealand.

The arts funding organisation has released a list of 22 cultural organisations which it has chosen to receive finance starting in 2012 from a new “Arts Leadership Investment” programme.

But Downstage (established in 1964) and Circa (established in 1976) are not on the list. Neither is the Vector Wellington Orchestra, which was established in 1948 as the Alex Lindsay String Orchestra, nor the Footnote Dance Company, established 25 years ago. Till now, all four organisations have been supported by Creative New Zealand.

Three Wellington theatre organisations have been confirmed for financial support: Bats Theatre, Taki Rua Productions, and Capital E – National Theatre for Children and Wellington Children’s Festival. Also confirmed for funding are the New Zealand International Festival of the Arts, Chamber Music New Zealand, NBR New Zealand Opera and the New Zealand String Quartet, all based in Wellington.

But Downstage, Circa, the Wellington Orchestra and the dance company have been treated with suspicion. They’ve been told that they must provide further information before a decision is made on “their ability to fulfil a key role.” And they won’t know what’s happening till September.

The Auckland Philharmonia is the only regional orchestra which Creative New Zealand has been willing to support so far. The Christchurch and Dunedin orchestras have been left in the same limbo as the Wellington orchestra.

Here’s how Creative New Zealand (formerly known as the Arts Council) explains its controversial decision.

ENDS

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