Conference on arts

Press, 11 August 1980, Page 20

Conference on arts

More than 200 people are expected to attend the Southern Regional Arts Council conference at the Arts Centre on September 6 and 7. The executive director of the council (Mr G. Gorton) said it would be only the second time the conference had been held in Christchurch. In the past it had been held at Dunedin, Timaru, and Lincoln. About 28 official delegates from the 14 community arts councils in the South Island will attend the conference. Mr Gorton said he expected at least 200 to attend. Anybody involved with the arts was welcome to attend, although they were

asked to register at the Art Council’s office in the Arts Centre. The conference would be officially opened by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr Hamish Hay), and the Minister for the Arts (Mr Highet) would speak, Mr Gorton said, Membv.s of Parliament and members and staff of the Quen Elizabeah II Arts Council would also * be present. Mr Gorton said a workshop on local body involvement with cultural activities would be held. The other important workshop would be on the council’s “artlaw” programme, which researched aspects of the law affect-

ing people involved in arts, such as planning laws, copyright laws, and methods of incorporation. Mr Gorton said static displays would also be set up for the conference. Among these were a collage of crazy craft and cottage art- by 'the North Canterbury . , Community Council and .a workshop teaching Maori action songs.

A highlight of the conference would be a performance by the Southern Ballet Company in its new theatre at the Centre. It had been hoped that the theatre could be officially opened during the conference, but it would not be finished in time.