Ballet-opera grant cut

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32707, 9 September 1971, Page 2

Ballet-opera grant cut

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 1 8. The Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council today reaffirmed its support for ballet and opera as vital and necessary art forms in New Zealand. But it also called for an appraisal of their future form and development. In a statement released by the council’s chairman (Mr W. N. Sheat) after today’s meeting, the council said that, to bring this about, it considered there should be an interim period of reduced activity for 12 months to en-

able all concerned to develop suitable new policies in the future. The council would advise the ■ Wellington-based New Zealand Ballet and Opera Trust that arts council support for the year beginning January 1,1972, would be adjusted accordingly. “Full support will be reinstated to meet the needs of opera and ballet, consistent with the funds available to the council at the time, only when the council is satisfied that the trust has: “Carried out an internal reorganisation to provide an effective controlling body. “Established an administration and artistic structure, and adopted, administrative procedures consistent with the efficient operation of a professional theatre company. “Adopted objectives and policies that will ensure •the production of a continuing , programme of opera and ballet, in keeping with the place opera and ballet should occupy in New Zealand, and With the funds available to the council at that time.” •The statement said that to assist the trust in meeting these requirements, the council would make available for consultation its theatre subcommittee, comprising Prh; fessor J. C. Reid, Mr Sheat, Mr J. D. Todd, and the chairman of the music panel, Mr F. Turnovsky, to establish

basic principles of policy which should be applicable to the activities of the trust.

The New Zealand OperaBallet Trust Board, recently established in Auckland, would be advised of these decisions, and informed that consideration of its application for funds had been referred to the sub-committee, with a view of establishing common ground for the advancement of opera and ballet.