Contract secured to scope Eastern Coromandel Community Arts Facility

The Steering Committee sees this as the next step in a move closer to planning for a community arts facility that could service not only Mercury Bay, but also the communities of the Eastern seaboard of the Coromandel.

Acting on behalf of the Arts Facility Steering Committee, earlier this year He Mana Toi Moehau Trust | Creative Coromandel was successful in an application to Lottery Community Facilities Fund and received a grant to carry out the arts facility feasibility study. Consultant Christine Ennis comes with a wealth of experience and knowledge in the arts field with more than a decade of experience developing feasibility studies for arts-related projects.

I have worked with communities around New Zealand on the development of strategic documents to support their vision for the arts in their town, district and region. It is so important to get the groundwork right to achieve the best outcome for a project to progress and succeed in attracting funding support. Thorough planning is essential, and the feasibility study process works methodically to identify, through engagement with the local community, the key needs, benefits, issues, and opportunities that a project such as the Community Arts Facility offers. I am very much looking forward to working with the Steering Committee and the Te Whanganui o Hei/Mercury Bay arts community on this exciting project.

Christine Ennis - CME Consulting

Christine has been engaged to scope and provide a report which explores the need for and viability of the construction, governance and operation of a flexible, public arts facility in the Mercury Bay area. The study will include analysis of:

• the size and scale of the project;
• a discussion of the current situation and what is needed;
• options to deal with existing problems;
• comments on risks and benefits of each option;
• comments on the best option/s
• an outline of the planned approach.

Local art supporters invited for feedback  at upcoming meetings

As part of the feasibility study a series of community hui­ | meetings will be open to those interested in the arts including schools, arts groups, local and central government representatives, business, individuals and other interested parties.

We warmly invite those who are interested and supportive of the arts in our community to engage with us during this process.  As well as establishing what the community needs of an arts centre are, we want to know the level of support for the potential project. We are very keen to hear the voices of all arts interested community member.

Jan Wright, District Arts Manager for Creative Coromandel and member of the Arts Facility Steering Committee

All of the feedback from the community will be collected into a final report that Christine produces and recommendations will go back to the Steering Committee to progress. 

Dates for public hui have been confirmed for:

Tairua/Pauanui/Whangamatā:  3pm-5pm, 6 September, Tairua Golf Club                                          

Whitianga #1:  9.15am-11.15am, 7 September, Whitianga Town Hall                                        

Whitianga #2:  4.30pm-6.15pm, 7 September, Whitianga Town Hall

Continued support and funding sought

Due to only partial success of the application to Lottery Community Facilities Fund for the feasibility study, the Steering Committee is actively seeking assistance from any interested businesses, groups or individuals to provide support, both financial or in-kind, for the study.  The Committee would welcome any sponsorship, donation, fundraising partnership. No matter how large or small, every amount will assist this project.  If you are interested in helping to ensure the project is successful, please contact the Steering Committee at info@creativecoromandel.co.nz