Thursday, 19 April, 2012
Media
NEW ZEALAND ART SHOW – GOING FOR GOLD
The New Zealand Affordable Art Trust (NZAAT), the Trust responsible for the annual New Zealand Art Show, is a finalist in the Wellington Gold Awards (Vibrant Gold category).
Established in 1999, the annual Gold Awards 'celebrate businesses that keep Wellington sparkling' and are the Capital’s pre-eminent business awards.
The New Zealand Art Show's chief executive Carla Russell said, "We're over the moon. This recognition validates all of our hard work and it reinforces our role as a significant arts organisation that has sound business practices.
"We started back in 2004 as the New Zealand Affordable Art Show but our goal has remained constant: to promote New Zealand art and encourage New Zealanders to buy original New Zealand art. Since then, like the Gold Awards, we’ve grown in size, reputation and quality to become an established feature of Wellington’s event calendar.
The Vibrant Gold Award spotlights excellence in events, promotions and visitor facilities that help enliven our community and draw visitors to our region.
Over the past eight years, the Show has become the largest of its kind, showcasing quality original New Zealand art at affordable prices, has generated sales of around $6 million worth of art, and returned over $5 million to artists
“Our goal is to promote emerging and established New Zealand artists and provide them with an outlet and opportunities to further their development. Over that time, we have also developed a number of awards that recognise artistic excellence in artists.
Carla Russell said, “Last year, more than 10,000 people visited the Show and 1,657 artworks were sold. That was a tremendous result, especially given the state of the economy. The show also draws people to Wellington from throughout New Zealand. Our research shows that in 2011, 40% of those who attended came from outside Wellington City. This has a huge impact on local cafes and restaurants, accommodation, the city’s retail sector and local business.
“We are particularly delighted to be recognised by the Gold Awards given that, in its eight years of operation, the NZAAT has received next to no public funding, making us one of the few, if not the only, major arts organisations in New Zealand to miss out on these funds. Through sheer determination and tenacity we’ve proven that we can run an arts organisation sustainably"
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on May 31st at the TSB Bank Arena, Wellington.
This year’s New Zealand Art Show runs from Friday, 3 August to Sunday, 5 August in Wellington’s TSB Bank Arena on Queens Wharf.
Photo: Carla Russell, Executive Director, The New Zealand Affordable Art Trust.
