Horror policy puts shows on rocky footing

Creative New Zealand puts millions of dollars into the arts around New Zealand but Hamilton misses out, reports Aaron Leaman.

Hamilton missed the chance to capitalise on the success of Rocky Horror because of a city council funding policy.

Hamilton Operatic Society member David Sidwell says Jekyll and Hyde could have gone ahead last year if the council switched to a direct funding policy.

The council puts funds into the the Community Arts Council and funds some selected events. Creative New Zealand, which puts millions of dollars into performing arts each year, only does so when an event already has direct local body funding.

Mr Sidwell - a music lecturer at Wintec - said current funding made the society focus on productions which got "bums on seats".

Mr Sidwell, who directed both The Rocky Horror Show and Jekyll and Hyde, said the situation "certainly does grate. For me to do my job as a professional director, I have to go out of town. It means the city I'm passionate about doesn't get to see my work".

At least one city councillor, Daphne Bell - its representative on the arts council - has said this week she would support direct funding.

The funding could become an election issue.

Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra manager Paul Kane said its Creative New Zealand funding requests had been turned down because it was not directly funded by council.

"Our councillors have allowed this to continue for so long, and it's appalling," Mr Kane said.

He said the future funding of Hamilton art groups needed to be a major issue in the upcoming council election.

"The council needs to directly fund arts groups so we can open the financial box of Creative New Zealand," he said. "It makes me immensely angry as a ratepayer when I see the amount of money the council spends on events like the V8 race. The funding made available to the orchestra is a joke."

Hamilton Community Arts councillor Andrew Buchanan-Smart has gathered figures he said shows Hamilton art groups are failing to get Creative New Zealand funding because they lack direct council funding. In comparison, Palmerston North gets about $420,000 in council and government funding for its professional theatre company Centrepoint Theatre.

In the Manawatu, Centrepoint Theatre artistic director Simon Ferry said the theatre company would struggle to exist without Creative New Zealand funding.

Arts Waikato spokesperson Hilary Falconer said mayoral and council candidates should state their position on arts funding before October's elections.

Ms Falconer said the city would never have a regional orchestra or professional theatre group without direct council funding.

- © Fairfax NZ News