The Big Look-See
Sample Wellington’s Arts for FREE!
Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 May 2006
Have a ‘look-see’ behind the scenes at some of Wellington region’s best theatres, galleries, museums, heritage sites and
arts organisations for FREE!
During the month of May, the weather begins to pack it in, the days get shorter, sports practice starts to get chilly
and all the sun-drenched, free summer events suddenly feel really long ago. Being a hardy bunch however, the people of
Wellington aren’t quite ready to surrender to the winter glums, they’re still out there looking for fun stuff to do… fun
stuff like The Big Look-See!
The Big Look-See is a weekend of FREE fun and discovery for all Wellingtonians who’ve ever been curious about what goes
on behind the scenes in the creative Capital and want to have a good old-fashioned nosey! A totally free event, The Big
Look-See is hosted by 15 venues around the Wellington Region and involves over 20 high-profile arts and cultural
organisations (listed below).
Coordinated by Arts Wellington – a trust established to support arts and cultural audience development in the Wellington
Region – chairman, Andrew Leslie says, “The Big Look-See could be described as an open weekend for the participating
organisations, however a better description would be a ‘test-drive’ or ‘taster’ event, as the public are invited to have
an active look and can give the tricks of the trade a try for no charge. You don’t even need to book.”
The Big Look-See programme has something for everyone from sitting in on rehearsals and classes, to giving a beginner’s
ballet class a try. There a many guided walks and backstage tours, opportunities to chat with artists, actors and
technicians, or to find out how exhibitions are curetted and plays created. Adventurous people can even take-part in
making a new play or artwork. Children can take part in children’s activities such as creating their own music video, or
reading the weather in front of modern ‘blue-screen’ technology. They could also take part in a writing workshop with
Lloyd Jones, or listen to scary stories, or discover hidden treasure! Friends and families can give vocal warm-up
exercises a try, have their photo taken dressed as Victorian tourists, learn how scenery flies on and off stage, hear
bellringing or an organ recital, see a snippet of a current show, or tread the boards themselves!
Why The Big Look-See?
Arts Wellington, or the Wellington Regional Art and Cultural Development Trust, was set up in 2005. Its objective is to
play a lead role in the on-going development of a flourishing arts, culture and heritage sector and, in doing so,
contributing directly to the social and economic well-being of individuals, arts organisations and of the Wellington
Region. Most of the participating organisations are members of Arts Wellington.
With similar events, such as the Birmingham ArtsFest being hugely successful overseas, The Big Look-See has been
designed to encourage Wellingtonians to have a look at what their own region has on offer. “By being given the
opportunity to visit any of the participating organisations and watch them in action, Arts Wellington hopes that more
Wellingtonians will be inspired to attend arts and cultural activities in their home town”, explains Leslie.
Participating Organisations
Alexander Turnbull Library, BATS Theatre, Capital E, Circa Theatre, City Gallery, Downstage Theatre, Footnote Dance
Company, Hutt Valley Community Arts, Katherine Mansfield Birthplace, The Learning Connexion, Museum of Wellington City & Sea, National Library Gallery, NZ Film Archive, Old St Pauls, Petone Settlers Museum, Playmarket, Royal New Zealand
Ballet, Wellington Waterfront, Westpac St James Theatre – with – NBR NZ Opera, NZ Book Council, NZ School of Music, Toi
Whakaari: NZ Drama School, Watercolour NZ, Walk Wellington
Programmes will be available from the participating organisations, info centres, libraries and out on the streets. You
can also check out www.WellingtonNZ.com where the programme will be posted online.
ENDS