The Christchurch Venue Overview and Assessment Report was commissioned by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage on advice from the Joint Agency Group (including representatives from the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, Christchurch City Council and Creative New Zealand).
Craig Cooper’s report provides an independent, expert view of the current situation regarding performing arts venues that are both purpose built for performance and provide open access to performing arts practitioners in Christchurch city. The report is intended to assist venue developers and users in their decision making. Data associated with the report is also intended to inform the CERA Planning and Community Toolset.
Purpose
This report seeks to provide an independent assessment of performing arts venues in Christchurch with a focus on venues – both existing and planned – that are purpose built for performance and that provide clean access to performing arts practitioners (Tier 1 Venues).
Venues have been assessed in terms of suitability to meet a specific need outlined in the Optimum Facility Matrix (Table 1), as established prior to the City Blueprint.
Methodology
Individual face-to-face interviews and, where appropriate, site visits were conducted between 14 and 17 January 2014.
Additional interviews were conducted by telephone.
The following representatives of key sector organizations were interviewed:
Neil Cox, Chief Executive, Isaac Theatre Royal
Andre Lovatt, Chief Executive, The Arts Centre Christchurch
Liam Nolan, Project Director, Major Facilities Rebuild Christchurch City Council
Ross Gumbley, Artistic Director, Court Theatre
David Watkins, Manager, Repertory Theatre
Turloguh Carolan, Business Development Manager, V-Base
Martin Trusttum, Stakeholder Manager Creative Industries, CPIT (incl. Art Box, CHART)
Adam Hayward, Artistic Director Dance & Performance Movement Centre, Arts Voice
Bronwyn Bijl, Director, Music Centre of Christchurch
Gretchen La Roche, General and Artistic Manager, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra
Steve Clarke, Investment Facilitator, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority
Josie Ogden, Chief Executive, YMCA Christchurch
Luke Di Soma, Director Christchurch Pops Choir & Arts Voice,
Diane Brodie, QSM President, ShowBiz
The interviewees were asked to provide detailed information regarding the technical specification of their existing or planned venues and to outline their planned use of venue and target art forms and audiences.