Do we need an organisation that supports and promotes the arts in Murihiku/Southland?
Some people may believe that we live in a cultural wasteland. A place on the edge of the earth with wild winds, terrible weather and people with no skill or talent whatsoever. However, I beg to differ.
The arts are an integral part of what it means to be human. Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe and Waitaha were the first artists of our province. They used local resources to make their distinctive moko and rock art from charcoal and other natural resources. Their mere and patu were made by hand, these possibly took a year or more to complete, done so with skill, patience, vision and perseverance. The arts have always been here and will always remain, but do they need a group to champion them?
Arts Murihiku is one of only two organisations across the country selected to be part of Creative New Zealand pilot. The other was Creative Waikato. Creative New Zealand identified in Murihiku/Southland there was no one organisation connecting, growing, promoting and advocating for all artforms. Arts Murihiku has been tasked to do this.
The Community Trust of Southland also saw the need for an overarching organisation. With great vision, they supported our bid for the pilot. We are extremely grateful to the trust for their on-going support.
The Arts Murihiku team has been working hard behind the scenes to ensure we have a strong foundation. This has involved talking with lots of people in the arts and the wider community (there’s still lots more people to talk with.) Setting up a governance body, formulating a strategic plan, writing policies and procedures, providing a listening ear and linking people with others. We have provided professional development and written submissions to advocate for the arts.
Arts Murihiku’s journey thus far has been interesting, challenging, eventful, fulfilling, and fun. It hasn’t been plain sailing, it has been a journey of learning and growth.
It will continue to be an adventure full of twists and turns, expected and unexpected outcomes. Interestingly, I think the timing has been just right.
At present Arts Murihiku is developing its website. An integral part of this is a directory that showcases artists and arts organisations of all forms- visual, performers, writers, makers of all kinds.
This has highlighted two main things – the wealth of talent and activity we have within our region and secondly that there was no directory or an overall resource for the arts in Southland.
There are many people doing wonderful things in the arts such as regular performances, shows, concerts, festivals and exhibitions. These happen in special places such as the Southern District Arts Trust’s- ‘Edge of the World’ annual exhibition and the West Otago Theatrical Society’s 2017 production of ‘Footrot Flats through to the wonderful painting with words done by past New Zealand Poet Laureate Bluff’s Cilla McQueen.
So, whilst there are many wonderful arty things happening in our community, there was no one taking an overall role in promoting, supporting and advocating for the arts. People have their own projects to work on, however there needed to be an organisation that sees the big picture, one that can provide support and showcase what we have in Murihiku/Southland.
The arts have lead the way in re-building the city of Christchurch with Gap Fillers such as the ‘Dance o Mat’ and Scape’s Sculpture Trail.
We can also learn from the example of Rotorua. To give the arts more structure and certainty the council introduced a Percent for the Arts Policy in 2013. This meant that 1 per cent of the council’s annual capital projects budget was set aside to fund public art in new and existing infrastructure projects and to engage with and support local creatives.
Since the introduction of this policy Rotorua has come to life. If the same policy was introduced into – for example – Invercargill, it would mean approximately $600,000 extra could be used to support the arts.
What a huge difference that would make to our city. Similarly, this could be transferred region wide. Imagine the possibilities!
Gore, is a shining example of a town that has embraced the belief that the arts and culture are essential component of a great community. It has a thriving arts and culture scene despite its small size. Some of this can be attributed to the establishment of a Department of Arts and Heritage in 1996.
Embracing the arts in all forms will bring interest and depth to our region. It will bring vibrancy, challenge our way of thinking, make us question who we are as people and what we believe in.
Arts Murihiku’s aim is to have the arts as an integral part of our Murihiku/Southland community. That creativity and the arts are woven into local and regional initiatives and developments. That Southland is a thriving community enjoying diverse, inspiring and provocative arts experiences.
We hope you will all join Arts Murihiku in singing the praises of the people we have within our region doing many wonderful things. Maybe Southland is New Zealand’s best kept secret?
And maybe, just maybe, it’s time that we shared our treasures with others …
Lisa Tou-McNaughton is executive officer of Arts Murihiku and writes a column for the Southland Times.
