Pause to Evolve

Since 2000, Patrons of the Arts Foundation have given over $5,620,000 to 220 New Zealand artists and some organisations. When we include Boosted, the Arts Foundation has distributed just under $10 million to the arts. This enormous generosity has significantly impacted many of New Zealand’s most important artists, who have generated thousands of hours of wonderful work for us all. Thank you for your inspiring belief in the power of art and artists!

It’s 18 years since the Arts Foundation came together

In those 18 years, together we’ve achieved great things. What’s more, the New Zealand arts landscape (and the world!) has changed a great deal.

We’ve been taking some time this year to ask some tough questions, look at our purpose, think about our future and how we can best serve the arts in New Zealand. As part of this we’ve reviewed the latest research on giving in the arts and consulted with a group of diverse stakeholders from our community, including representatives of founding and future donors, artists and other arts organisations.

Our research shows that the motivations for giving to the arts and the values that drive arts philanthropy are changing. Our model and the way we inspire people to give to the arts needs to change too.

Those we talked to overwhelmingly told us that there is a need to amplify what the Arts Foundation delivers, and to investigate new initiatives that will boost the potential of New Zealand artists. They also want the Arts Foundation to be more inclusive and engage more New Zealanders in being part of the arts. As a result, our Board of Trustees are developing a new direction for the Arts Foundation, which we’re looking forward to sharing.

The 2018 Awards are on hold

To ensure our new strategy is developed and tested, we’re putting the 2018 New Zealand Arts Awards on hold. Further financial awards to artists are being held over until 2019, with the exception of the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship, and the Harriet Friedlander Residency, which will be awarded later this year.

We’ll be keeping you updated

Our new strategy will be formed near the end of this year, and launched in May 2019. Follow our Facebook page or sign up to our newsletter to be updated on our progress as we go. Your comments and interest are welcome in this conversation on how the Arts Foundation can have more impact for artists, art and New Zealanders.