The Green Party launched its arts policy today, which includes giving the Minister of Cultural Affairs a seat at the
Cabinet table and making donations to established artist organisations tax deductible.
The policy also includes an "Artists in Action" programme, modelled on the writers in residence scheme in universities.
The new programme would include artists in residence in Parliament, Ministries and Government Departments.
Arts spokesperson Mike Ward said it was "about time" the arts were recognised as being an important part of New Zealand
society. Green Party Co-Leader Rod Donald said it was the first time in many years that any political party's arts
policy had been launched by a practising artist.
"We are in the privileged position of having strong grassroots connections with the creative people at the cutting edge
of the New Zealand arts scene," Mr Donald said.
Mr Ward is a successful self-employed jeweller, illustrator and sculptor. He is placed at number eight on the party
list.
"We want people to know that life is about having fun, and that there is more to life than consuming," Mr Ward said.
"So much of our time is spent working perhaps two or more jobs to buy things we often don't need and which don't give us
much real satisfaction. There is a real need for something more to life than that. Encouraging the arts is an extremely
effective way of doing that," Mr Ward said.
ends
Mike Ward
Green Party Arts Spokesperson
Phone (025) 265 7459
(03) 548 7838 (home)
email: greens@ts.co.nz
A copy of the policy follows
The Green Party of Aotearoa/New Zealand
Arts Policy
November 1999
The role of the artist in society must be to inspire, to challenge, to invigorate an idea or to reveal a truth. The
expression of this may be as simple perhaps as a movement in dance or drama, a sound reminiscent of the wind, a stroke
of colour on canvas; or it may be as complex as an opera, a multi-media presentation, or an installation in metal and
sand. It is about moulding the clay, crafting the sentence, expressing the moment. Art is culture, is life, is
necessary.
The role of Government must be to facilitate the well-being of its citizens, to inspire the best amongst its people, and
to create a secure and creative community within a sustainable environment. Between Government and the arts there should
be a broad relationship of support and understanding. To this end, it is important that we recognise and support local
talent. It is, therefore, necessary to create the conditions in which New Zealand talent can reach the highest standard
and be enjoyed by the widest audience. The goal is widespread participation in the arts and affordable access. Areas in
which creative pursuits need to be encouraged include, schools - from early childhood to secondary level, prisons, as
well as urban and rural communities. It is also important that each of these areas is provided with adequate resources
and trained professionals to encourage participation. Creative and cultural work is a valid expression within an
organisation and is recognised to be a useful means of empowering people and helping to develop additional skills,
training, and confidence. Workplace and union organisations will be supported through Government funding bodies in their
creative pursuits as a means of reflecting and exploring social, political, and spiritual issues.
A people free to express, create, and enjoy artistic sensibility is a people in control of their destiny. Art and craft,
whatever the cultural premise, are about exploring the creative instinct. The arts are intelligent, challenging, and
demanding. The artistic life demands commitment and determination from its practitioners. Their work must be given due
status and recognised as a 'proper job'.
The arts have an increasingly important role to play in our economic health. Recent international successes attest to
this, notably - the Lord of the Rings project, the Xena and Hercules television series, Shortland Street, a wide range
of local musicians and music videos including Split Enz, OMC, Bic Runga et al., community theatre initiatives such as
the Wairoa project and wide range of internationally acclaimed artists and craftspeople. Each of these activities has
numerous spin-offs for local artists, actors, technicians, and other local businesses. The arts industry remains one of
the few growth industries in the New Zealand economy.
A 1996 report from Statistics New Zealand "Household Spending on Culture" shows that for the year ending March 1996
household spending on cultural goods and services amounted to $1.9 billion, or almost 5% of total expenditure. This is
more than spending on each of - domestic power, overseas travel, mortgage principal repayments, and clothing and
footwear, representing significant economic spending which has the potential to be invested in local talent.
The Green Party recognises art and craft as an environmentally friendly, strategic investment area. It is a large
employment sector with valuable export potential and provides an opportunity for enjoyment, satisfaction, and
intellectual well-being. The Green Party recognises the arts and crafts as areas of human activity where the potential
for growth is unlimited. The Green Party also recognises that cultural diversity is a national asset, and respects the
role of tangata whenua and the influence of the various settler communities who have brought their cultural identity
with them. The Green Party is committed to supporting both tangata whenua, and tau iwi cultural development.
The Green Party also recognises that Television New Zealand has a responsibility to reflect New Zealand culture and
include good New Zealand dramas and documentaries into its programme structure, rather than relying on formula game show
or personality-based 'real TV' options.
Investment in both art and craft projects has several social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and economic benefits,
not the least being the opportunity to explore our constructive and creative talents and instincts. To be a part of a
society that values creative ability must be a good thing.
In terms of an economic comparison, the Irish government has a proactive arts policy which supports local talent and
culture through both tax incentives and comprehensive international exchange programmes. A 1994 study 'The employment
and economic significance of the Cultural Industries in Ireland' (Coopers and Lybrand) shows the arts sector has a gross
revenue of 450 million pounds; directly employs 21,500 people (full-time equivalents) amounting to 2.4% of the work
force; and has a minimum export value of 100 million pounds. The Green Party would work toward creating a similarly
beneficial artistic environment in New Zealand to allow artists the freedom to contribute to society; and recognises the
worthwhile contribution being made to our social fabric. Specific Objectives
* To develop and secure the highest standards achievable in the arts and crafts. Inherent in this the need to
improve the status of artists and craftspeople and to foster a climate that encourages innovation and artistic
development.
* To encourage participation in the arts and crafts in terms of availability and access, with particular reference
to young people and children.
* To secure maximum benefit for the arts and crafts throughout New Zealand through strategic partnerships with
local government, iwi, schools, libraries, business, and community organisations.
* To ensure policy-making is fully informed through high quality research and public consultation.
* To recognise that investment in the arts and crafts is a socially and commercially sound proposition.
* To acknowledge the arts and crafts as a valid expression or our cultural and spiritual identity as a nation.
Developing a Creative and Aesthetic Culture
1. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs will continue to be the principal body entrusted with co-ordinating the
promotion and development of our artistic culture. The Minister will sit inside Cabinet and will be expected to
co-ordinate with other Ministries for the advancement of cultural and artistic expression in Aotearoa.
2. A new arts and cultural promotion unit will be established within the Ministry of External Affairs and Trade and
will work with the support of the Ministries of Culture, Tourism, and Commerce, with the explicit purpose of developing
an international promotion and exchange programme. This will include an assertive international marketing function.
3. The writers in residence scheme that currently exists in universities will be used to model an extended
programme of 'Artists in Action' which will include Parliament, Ministries, and Government Departments. Business and
community organisations will be encouraged to do likewise.
4. As an example of how this would work, the artist in residence at Parliament would be required produce a
significant work at the end of each Parliamentary term, such as a volume of poetry, a series of paintings, a piece of
music, dance, or an installation.
5. Contributions to bona fide artist organisations such as 'Friends of the New Zealand Ballet', will be tax
deductible along the same lines as charity donations.
6. The Minister for Arts and Cultural Affairs will assume a full and active role within Cabinet.
7. The arts greatly enrich the human spirit and should play an integral role in all decisions influencing our
society. Artistic input into civic and social decision-making processes will be encouraged
8. Funding through Creative New Zealand and New Zealand on Air must ensure that regional and sector groups are
adequately catered for. It is may be necessary to instigate a funding structure similar to the Community Organisations
Granting Scheme (COGS) to ensure accountable and transparent decision-making.
9. The National Archives, Film archives, and museums will be maintained in government hands as a resource for New
Zealanders. Free access to information will be a priority.
ends