Project officer named for S.I. arts tours

Press, 23 September 1983, Page 5

Project officer named for S.I. arts tours

Mr Steve Thomas has been appointed project officer in charge of touring for the Southern Regional Arts Council.

The newly created position is intended to make South Island communities more accessible to performers. Mr Thomas will survey South Island communities and touring groups throughout New Zealand to assess the possibility of setting up a touring co-ordina-tion service.

Mr Thomas, aged 33, was the director of the recently completed Nelson Festival and has toured North

America, Britain, and New Zealand. Grants Grants of $B7ll to Christchurch groups were approved at the recent Arts Council meeting. The Christchurch Conservatoire has been given $5lO to assist with master classes by an Australian violinist, John Curro. A total of $3650 will go to the Southern Ballet for sets, costumes, and a touring coordinator to set up a 1984 touring programme. The Christchurch Civic Music Council will receive $lOOO towards the 1983-84 national concerto competition and another $lOOO as a dollar-for-dollar subsidy on funds raised by local authorities. The Mid-Canter-bury Community Arts Council has been granted a $2OO guarantee against loss for a performance by the Southern Ballet in Ashburton. Subsidies from the cultural facilities scheme were also approved for the North Canterbury Hospital Board for a new piano, $1000; the Dunedin Film Society for audio-visual equipment, $993; the Ashburton Pottery Society to dismantle a wall and fireplace, $250; and the Malvern Community Arts Council for display screens, $lOB. I*