Call For Cultural Development

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32050, 26 July 1969, Page 46

Call For Cultural Development

(N.Z. Press Association) j WELLINGTON, July 25.! , New. Zealanders will heed to develop the cull tural content of their lives in order to draw the strength necessary to meet the challenges of the 197.05.

This was stated in, the annual report of the Queen Elizabeth tr Arts , f auiivi.! -rf Maw Zealand. The report was tabled in Parilav? today by the Minister 2 Internal Affairs «Mr Seath}. “An Arts Council pnEey must take the lead in creating I a climate in which the arts! will grow as a natural compon-l

ent. of New Zealand’s way-of < life,” the’report said. ; 1 To this end, the council would foster art ’based' on the 1 .traditional foundations of cul- < tore but would also seek but new artistic, expressions rele, 1 vant to New Zealand society. 1 The council sees its rnain re- .< sponsibility in music,, the vis} s ual arts, and the field of .thea-1

tre arts—drama, opera and ballet., The report said that -the jp-indpal objective’ of the eouscil would be to . raise the standard tn’ both the practice and d;e .appreciation of the arte ip Zealand;. To ecihtei’e this the council f eonznue to assist in-

jdividtiiils a.t< those organisatsojia ’which could reach a conj sistent level of artistic ;aciu« c nent, with sound standards of management and promotion, and which could offer

career opportunities tn .trained and gifted people. Professional activities would receive priority for the council's, financial assistance. The amateur movement was essentially local in character and should seek financial assistance from its members, supporters and local authorities.

Artistic creation kept enjoyment of-the arts alive forever, the report said. Therefore the council would seek out gifted artists and assist them . by offering training awards, financial aid in special circumstances, fellowships and commissions. The report said there was

a need for art galleries to improve their permanent collections.- The council would help galleries by subsidising purchases of works by New Zealand and overseas artists.

The council recognised the need to devote a substantial portion of its income to music. It would continue to assist semi-professional regional orchestras, but it was convinced of the need for at least one; other fully professional orchestra outside Wellington ini addition to the N.Z.B.C. Sym-| phony Orchestra. The report said the council would study the need for more education and training facilities in the arts, including the establishment of institutions for advanced training. A survey of music teaching had been undertaken in association with the New Zealand Council for Educational Research. The report covered the year ended March 31. 1969.