Arts Graduates show savvy, their company is up and running.
Dawn Bregmen graduated yesterday (Thursday 24 March 2011) with a Bachelor of Applied Arts (Performing Arts). She has
completed three years studying cultural dance techniques, performance and events, creative theory and creative
entrepreneurship in the programme led by Tuaine Robati. With a group of friends who also graduated, she already has a
company up and running which secured contracts earlier in 2011 with large tourism operators and Wellington icons.
The arts and culture industries are closely linked to tourism and events industries. Graduates in applied arts from
Whitireia benefit from entrepreneurship 'core studies'. But these would be theory only, if it wasn't for the track
record each of the majors in this degree have in commercial relationships and projects, built up over 25 years.
In the beginning, as a year one student, Bregmen and her peers presented their first public performance 4 weeks into
the course. The challenge, discipline and ambition to achieve a worthwhile show right from the beginning, sets the
standard for the degree. International festivals contract the programme for performances every year. The degree students
have recently returned from performing in WOMADelaide, with an encore in WOMAD in New Plymouth.
They performed at the gala opening for the Wellington Sevens, on the main stage in the Westpac Stadium. This degree
began in Porirua. Students studied in a dance studio in Pataka Museum. In 2009 Whitireia purchased the Wellington
Performing Arts Centre.
The programme was shifted to Vivian Street in Wellington City. In 2011, all Whitireia programmes in acting, dance and
cultural performance moved into a purpose refitted building called the Whitireia New Zealand Performance Centre at 25
Vivan Street. With a medium sized public theatre, existing business partnerships with festivals, production companies,
regional and national events, tourism and media and music companies will benefit from a focussed centre of applied
skills.
Dawn Bregmen and her peers are making the most of the opportunities that these networks provide. Their company, Te Haa
o Poneke, completed a contract with the new Wellington Whare Waka earlier in 2011. They have a contract to work with
visiting cruise ships until late next year. With applied and entrepreneurial attitudes, they will find the creative
application of their skills across industries as diverse as sport and tourism. Bregmen and all graduates and guests at
the 2011 Whitireia degree graduation were welcomed by a rousing haka, performed by year 1 performing arts students, it
received standing applause.
ends