Who we are

Background

Arts Waikato was founded in 2001 when Trust Waikato identified a need to strengthen the community arts sector.  Trust Waikato has remained the core funder of Arts Waikato since this time.  Our primary role is capacity building – providing, information, tools, advice and facilitation to groups in the community arts sector.   We have one community arts advisor who works alongside community arts groups to provide advice (with funding, marketing, events, planning etc.), facilitation, training and support.  In 2008 we also created the position of Kaiwhakahaere I nga Mahi Toi – or Maori Arts Advisor, to work specifically with Maori artists and groups within a Kaupapa Maori framework.  In addition to this we have 2 part time Arts Education Advisors who work alongside schools to assist them to give children more opportunities to express themselves and their creativity through the arts.  Supporting the service delivery team we have an office manager /administrator, and we have a CEO  who works with the board and the community to set the strategic direction of the organisation and manages the implementation of this.   We are a charitable trust and currently have 9 Trustees. 

Our values:

Kaitiakitanga - We Care,  We lead & Guide

Manaakitanga - Support,Respect, Connect

Excellence - Improve, Act, Impact

Creativity - Embrace, Inspire, Celebrate

for a complete document that outlines what each of these values means to us click here

Long term vision:

“By 2020 the Waikato will be the most vibrant, creative, expressive community in New Zealand”

It is our vision that everyone in the Greater Waikato Region will have the opportunity to develop their full creative potential and that art and creativity will be a part of everyone’s lives through the work that we do.   We wish to create a region where the arts and creativity are supported and nurtured in all people, and where all people have access to experiences that enrich and change their lives.  If we can achieve this then Hamilton and the Waikato will be the place where people choose to come to live, work and play because of the creativity and vibrancy of the region.

Purpose:

Building creativity in our community – our role is to facilitate the support, development and promotion of the arts and creativity throughout the Greater Waikato region - With a particular focus on community arts, and arts groups.   This includes visual arts, theatre, film, and other performing arts, music, creative writing, traditional Maori arts and other forms of cultural expression.  Art is not just the end product; it is more about the process of creating.   It is a means of expressing who we are, communicating ideas with others, preserving our history, exploring the world we live in, being challenged and developing our potential as individuals and communities.   It is in essence an essential element of being human and therefore a key part of individual and community well being.  

Strategic priorities:

•  Build the capacity of the Waikato arts community

We support all the organizations with an ‘arts’ or creativity focus so that they can be the best at what they do. We provide the ‘tools’ to enable them to achieve this.

• Promote participation in the arts 

Through our publications, networks and by working with schools to bring art to children.  A big part of encouraging participation is ‘audience development’ – this term refers to education and information resulting in increased appreciation, cultural participation and enjoyment of the arts. In particular Arts Waikato aims to increase awareness of and attendance at arts activities generated by the regional arts community.

• Raise the profile of the arts in the region and the region through the arts

Through coordination, advocacy, and awareness raising

• Bring people together - through and for the arts

 To enhance social and cultural well being - build networks, strengthen relationships and ultimately strengthen communities of interest.