Affordable Art Trust elects Graeme Reeves Chairman

New Zealand Affordable Art Trust elects Graeme Reeves Chairman

Graeme Reeves, a Wellington-based lawyer, has been appointed chairman of the New Zealand Affordable Art Trust (NZAAT), the governing body of New Zealand’s largest art show. He succeeds Chris Parkin.

Carla Russell, the New Zealand Art Show’s executive director said, “Graeme brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge that will enhance the successful organisation behind New Zealand’s largest art show.

“I am excited to be working alongside Graeme – he is enthusiastic, thinks outside the square and his leadership and business acumen will ensure that 2012 will be another great year for the arts in Wellington.”

Graeme is also the Chief Gambling Commissioner and a director of Airways Corporation. He is a former director of New Zealand Post and a former trustee of the Wellington Community Trust, and was the Member of Parliament for Miramar from 1990-1993. He became a trustee of the NZAAT in May 2011.

Graeme Reeves said, “I am very humbled to become the new Chairman of the NZAAT – it’s an exciting organisation that is going places and one that has contributed over $5 million dollars back into the NZ arts community. As chairman, I have the support of a great team of trustees and we will ensure the show will continue to prosper and, to this end, we plan to launch a number of new initiatives this year.”

The objective of the NZAAT is to support and promote new and emerging artists in New Zealand; this culminates in the New Zealand Show – an annual art exhibition in the capital showcasing over 3,500 original artworks by hundreds of NZ artists.

As incoming chairman, Graeme acknowledged the contribution made by Chris Parkin saying, “Chris has had a long association with the NZAAT as a trustee, major supporter and sponsor and, most recently, as chairman. Although he has stepped down from being a trustee, Chris will continue his association with the New Zealand Art Show in late April.

This year’s New Zealand Art Show runs from Friday, 3 August to Sunday, 5 August in Wellington’s TSB Bank Arena on Queens Wharf.

The NZAAT trustees are Fraser Carson, Jo Hughes, Isobel Mebus, Richard Nelson, Neil Plimmer, Graeme Reeves (chairman) and Frances Russell.

ENDS

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