Community Art Service

Northern Advocate, 12 March 1948, Page 4

Community Art Service

Thanks to the activities of the Community Art Service last year, the people of Northland wc-re given an opportunity, previously denied them, to share in some of the cultural advantages enjoyed by the people of Auckland and other cities. As a result of the interest aroused by local committees of the Community Art Service, notable artists and organisations were enabled to give performances in Northland centres which, in ordinary circumstances, would not have been included in itineraries. The coming of talented artists to these centres made it possible for people residing within a substantial radius to participate in the educational treats, and, consequently, to advance the cultural objectives of the service.

At the outset, public patronage was not as great as was required to place the movement on a sound financial basis, but it is noteworthy that as the season proceeded, and deeper understanding of the principles involved was developed, public inter-

cst increased materially, and there was every reason, when reviewing the sessions, to feel that a big forward step had been made. This suggests that the many people in Northland who are devotees of the arts, but who, because of comparative isolation, had not been able ‘o keep touch with flesh and blood artists and their work, should throw themselves wholeheartedly into off on to expand and consolidate the good work already done by the Community Art Service. As will have been gathered from our report of a meeting held an Tuesday night, a very attractive programme has been arranged for the forthcoming season, and there is little doubt that Northlandcrs will await with eagerness the coming to their districts of artists and organisations whose services have been secured. There are several directions in which the movement may be extended, and one of a very interesting character, so far as Whangarei, for instance, is concerned, is the establishment of a repertory theatre, the importance of which, in respect of the development of dramatic art, we have urged on several occasions. A repertory theatre, which would not conflict with musical, operatic and kindred societies, but would be complementary to them, would provide an excellent vehicle for the dramatic talent experience has proved to exist in good measure in this district.