Need for balance in arts

Press, 9 February 1983, Page 24

Need for balance in arts

PA Wellington Risks must be taken in the arts field in order to create growth and development, said the former chairwoman of the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council, Miss Joan Kerr.

But arts organisations must recognise they had a market to meet. They must find a balance between their audience and their artistic desires, said Miss Kerr. She believes that in the next decade, in a time of change and increasing leisure. the arts will play a significant role. Although Miss Kerr plans to take a break, she has no doubt she will be involved in

arts administration again later.

In the last 10 years. Miss Kerr has seen the growth of the regional and community arts council structure. And she has watched the development of the Maori and South Pacific Arts Council, which was “very significant." The professionalism of Arts Council staff had developed over the past 10 years, said Miss Kerr. She rejected criticism of the Arts Council as bureaucratic or overstaffed.

There were two schools of thought about the role of an arts council, she said.

Some thought its role was to disperse money. Others —

like her — thought its role was to provide services and information such as accounting, marketing, or administrative advice.

Miss Kerr said artists in her experience often did not want handouts. They wanted Arts Council recognition in some form, or else they would prefer the council to buy some of their works.

This, she said, was a good idea, and was under review by the Arts Council.

According to Joan Kerr. New Zealand is lagging behind Australia in understanding the role the arts could play in promoting a nation s image overseas. The Australian council had

put a lot of effort into encouraging arts groups to tour, and using artists overseas to promote the Australian image.

She feels that there is a very solid core of support for the arts in New Zealand, which is underrated.

“People do care about the arts, more than they are given credit for. There has been a marked growth in interest and participation in the last decade. It has been showing up in surveys, and if you've been involved, you can see it."

Despite crises and tensions of the last year. Miss Kerr believes the arts in New Zealand have the strength to grow and develop.