Central Otago has healthy arts communities and participation is strong. Within the district are painters, sculptors, ceramic artists and photographers, fashion designers, woodcarvers and furniture makers, metal workers and jewellers. There are also performance artists, music and dance groups, film and theatre, along with the literary arts. To find out more about the organisations operating within this district, have a look in the Community Directory.
Central Otago Arts Strategy
In 2007 the community said it wanted an art strategy both to recognise existing and potential value and provide for the development of the arts. As a result, the first Central Otago Arts Strategy was developed in 2008. Consequently, the Central Otago District Arts Trust was formed to carry out the recommendations within the document and to look into ways to further develop arts within Central Otago. Highlights of the first Strategy included:
• The employment of a part time arts co-ordinator for Central Otago
• The inaugural Central Otago Arts Awards 2011
• The development of an arts website (www.centralotagoarts.com)
• An open studio weekend for our potential Arts Trail artists
• Stronger networks within our arts communities in both the visual and performing arts.
A second Central Otago Arts Strategy was developed in 2013, through widespread community consultation throughout the region. The community were asked to think about how we can grow and develop our arts within Central Otago going forward - four main themes emerged:
Develop Central Otago as an arts destination;
Grow participation in the arts;
Support our arts communities; and
Promote the importance and value of arts to our overall wellbeing as individuals and a community.
To view a copy of the 2013 Central Otago Arts Strategy, please click here.
Central Otago Arts Website
www.centralotagoarts.com is a very informative website, coordinated by the Arts Trust, that provides insight into the busy and vibrant arts scene within Central Otago. Included within the website is information about artists and art groups, the Central Otago Arts Trail, upcoming workshops, exhibition venues and much much more. There is also a helpful What's On event calendar that lists upcoming performances and exhibitions.