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

Arts and CultureLeisureWhat the Council DoesThe success of the Te Manawa redevelopmentis no better illustrated than to visit the museumcomplex and to hear the shrieks of the childrenas they play in the Kids TM. Kids TM is immenselypopular with young children and provides manydevelopmental and educational opportunities asthey explore the space.The New Zealand Rugby Museum attracted 13,515visitors over the Rugby World Cup period, which isa real credit to the Museum. The opening of theNew Zealand Rugby Museum was the culminationof a significant amount of work undertaken by themuseum’s volunteer resource base. Without thecontribution made by these dedicated volunteersthe City would not be able to enjoy the museumexperience that has been developed.This year has seen the installation of two moresculptures in the city “Who’s Afraid”, and “GiantsAmongst Us” as part of the Taonui/Cuba Streetredevelopment. The Sculpture Trust has workedclosely with the Council and retailers in creatingan innovative space.This activity has four Council ControlledOrganisations – Caccia Birch Trust Board, GlobeTheatre Trust Board, Regent Theatre Trust Boardand the Te Manawa Museums Trust.Caccia Birch has throughout the past 12 monthsundertaken continual improvements to theproperty including ensuring an enhanced visitorexperience through increased security lighting.An attractive wrought iron fence and gatewayhas been installed at the Caccia Birch Lane end ofthe wisteria walkway to enhance the pedestrianentrance access to the grounds. The Caccia BirchTrust Board continues to maintain and preserveCaccia Birch House as a Category One HeritageBuilding for the enjoyment of the residents of theCity.The Globe Theatre Trust Board continues toprovide a high quality venue for communityactivities and theatre activities with hireage of thespace remaining at high levels. Over the past 12months the Trust Board has been concentratingon the development of the flat floor theatre spaceand café extension. The Trust Board has a robustfundraising plan in place and is looking forward tothe future development. Highlights have includedthe hosting of The Laughing Samoans and BellaKalolo. Many community and commercial userscontinue to use the Globe Theatre on a regularbasis.The Regent Theatre continues to provide a diverserange of shows and entertainment activities forthe community. It continues to be the host venuefor graduation ceremonies in the City and formany school prizegivings. Lower theatre bookings(events) were anticipated for the latter part of2011 due to the Rugby World Cup. This predictionproved accurate with a number of regularpromoters holding back on booking regionalevents, concentrating upon placing events in themain centres.A highlight for the Regent Theatre was the hostingof the Palmerston North Operatic Society (AbbeyMusical Theatre) production of 42nd Street. TheRegent also hosted a number of other shows,including Manawatu Gang Show; Pae Taiohi KapaHaka; Chamber Music NZ - Saguaro Trio; Bride ofthe Year; Festival of Russian Ballet; Hayley Westenra;The Buddy Holly Show; Ross Intermediate SchoolProduction.Community Arts Palmerston North and CreativeSounds Society Inc. (The Stomach) continue toprovide the community with unique resources.A number of community led arts and culturalactivities have happened over the past 12 months.The inaugural Zest event happened in the Georgeand Coleman quarter. This was a collaborativeevent between Palmerston North Rotary, AccessManawatu and the Council. The event engagedover 150 students from a number of schools aroundthe City to perform in public spaces throughoutthe day and in the evening acoustic musicians,Massey University Fire Club and the ukulele groupperformed in the Youth Space. Creative Soundshosted a training session and events as part of theday. The retailers agreed to close George Streetand Coleman Mall to traffic to enable a streetcarnival, however the weather precluded this fromhappening.Art on Edge is a two-hour community driven eventheld twice a year that has also been growing inpopularity since its inception. The event is aboutcelebrating diversity of artistic expression andis a family friendly fun event held in the arts andcultural quadrant on the west side of The Squarein the Coleman quadrant.Centrepoint Theatre has provided professionaltheatre to Palmerston North for 37 years andis nationally recognised as a leading teachingtheatre. The theatre has hosted a broad range ofshows over the past year - Flipside by Ken Duncan;Michael James Manaia; Roger Hall’s, You CanAlways Give Them Back; The 39 Steps; Hits of 83.Centrepoint continues to receive funding fromCreative New Zealand with the funding providedon the basis that it is for the development andtraining of new practitioners.66 Palmerston North City Council Annual Report 2011/12