2011-2012 Annual Report - Full Version - PDF - Palmerston North ...

Activity - Arts and CultureWhat the Council doesThe Council’s actions in this Activity are guidedby its Arts Strategy. The Council helps fund andprovide a range of arts and cultural facilities. Thetwo major ones are Te Manawa and the RegentTheatre.Te Manawa consists of the museum, sciencecentre and art gallery. The complex also containsthe Rugby Museum. The Regent Theatre is a civicauditorium and regional centre for the performingarts. Te Manawa and the Regent Theatre are runfor the Council by the Te Manawa and RegentTheatre Trust Boards.The Council develops and implements assetmanagement plans, which include arts and culturalfacilities, to ensure that these assets can deliverreliable services to existing and future customersin the most cost effective and sustainable way.The Council helps support the Rugby Museum, theGlobe Theatre, Creative Sounds (The Stomach),Caccia Birch House and Square Edge.The Council funds Community Arts PalmerstonNorth to provide an interactive space to supportartists with information and exhibition space. TheCouncil also helps fund the Centrepoint Theatre.The Council has a contract with the PublicSculpture Trust to provide part funding for worksof public art to be commissioned and placedaround the City.The Council makes grants to groups and individualsundertaking arts or cultural activities or events.This Creative Communities Scheme funding ismade available through a partnership betweenthe Council and Creative New Zealand.Why the Council does this and itscontribution to Council vision andmajor goalsThis Activity contributes mostly to the Council’s goalof making Palmerston North a socially sustainablecity where people want to live, because of its safeand easy lifestyle and its many social, culture andrecreational opportunities. It also makes the Cityattractive to business – businesses also want to bein an innovative city because it helps them attractemployees from other places.Part of the Council’s major economic goal is thatPalmerston North is an economically sustainablecity which attracts, fosters and retains businessesand jobs to create a prosperous community. Thiscan be encouraged through supporting the artsand culture sector, ranging from direct facilityprovision (such as Te Manawa and the Regent)to funding and in-kind support (grants to artsgroups).There is a demand from the community to have funthings to do – this demand is partially met by theCouncil in providing the arts and cultural facilities,and in supporting arts and cultural groups.This Activity contributes mostlyto the Council’s goal of makingPalmerston North a sociallysustainable city where people wantto live, because of its safe and easylifestyle and its many social, cultureand recreational opportunities. Italso makes the City attractive tobusiness...A city with a strong arts and culture sector alsoattracts visitors. Increasing visitor numbers canlead to spin-off benefits for the local economythrough increased retail spending. It also helpsto build local pride through recognition of thecultural achievements of the community.What happened in the yearThe past 12 months has seen the arts and culturalsector beginning to develop stronger workingrelationships and a more cohesive sector.The organisations funded by the Councilcontinue to provide a wide range of activities forthe community. These groups include, but arenot limited to, Creative Sounds (The Stomach),Community Arts Palmerston North, Abbey Theatre,Centrepoint and Manawatu Theatre Society.A major highlight of the past 12 months was thecompletion and opening of the New ZealandRugby Museum on 28 September 2011 and thefirst full year for the newly refurbished Te Manawa.This Rugby Museum opening concluded manyyears of work by many people from Te Manawa,The New Zealand Rugby Museum, PalmerstonNorth City Council as well as many consultants andcontractors.What the Council Does Leisure Arts and CulturePalmerston North City Council Annual Report 2011/1265