The Depot responds

Thank you for taking up discussion on Over the Net regarding our recent newsletter (no press release was issued) outlining the lack of CNZ support for the Cultural Icons project. There are some good points raised in your blog post, please accept this (rather lengthy) response to it:

We are aware of the lack of diversity in the project – both in discipline and culture - this has arisen for a number of reasons: We have not selected or prioritised but have undertaken the interviews according to recommendation and subject/interviewer availability. Because we envisaged the series as ongoing (we were inspired by Radio Pacifica which began in 1946 and has something like 50,000 interviews in its archives) we intended to include everyone who should be included.

We agree with your observation that the Cultural Icons so far included in the programme show a noticeable lack of Maori/Pacific Island cultural contributors represented. Our funding application highlighted this in the project aims we hoped to achieve with support from CNZ:

“These outcomes will assist us in our overall project aims to:

Develop the diversity of Cultural Icons interviews and programmes available online by including high quality arts practitioners from throughout New Zealand’s cultural and ethnic communities. This will help to raise awareness of culturally diverse art in an easily accessible, enriching and unique platform www.culturalicons.co.nz. This new series of interviews/programmes will specifically highlight New Zealand’s visual artists.”

Initial funding for the project was from the Auckland Regional Services Trust (ARST), hence the Auckland focus. It was used to establish the website, format, initial interviews (predominantly of writers in residence at the Michael King Writers Centre). Now, with a multi-media platform worthy of such a project, industry support and a growing and appreciative audience we require further support to develop it further, to including cultural contributors from outside of Auckland, from many disciplines and from diverse cultures.

The other consideration we needed to make in the application was the structure of applying for support through Creative New Zealand. There is no category for ‘multidisciplinary’ projects and no avenue for applying for support for the project as a whole entity (other than Investment Funding in which an organisation is required to have a history with CNZ – The Depot has been unsuccessful gaining CNZ support for any project for 15 years!) We were recommended by CNZ to apply for 20 x Visual Arts interviews only. Then, in the next round, we could have applied for 20 x Literature interviews and so on.

As you identify, the project and its development have been affected/directed by available sources of funding. We are continually looking for funding and will apply to any source where the project fits the criteria. For example, we recently received some funding from Auckland Council’s Arts North team to interview 5 ‘icons’ in the north of Auckland and have asked locals to nominate ‘icons’ in their community. www.culturaliconsnorth.co.nz Another application seeks support for Maori Cultural Icons from the same districts – here we work with marae and local communities calling for their nominations of Cultural Icons. And yet another for a Cultural Icons Sculpture Series.

We also have a number of women on whom we are waiting to commit themselves to an interview. We have found that women are often more reluctant than men to be interviewed and are also, for some reason, less available; for example, Maureen Lander has been on our list for some months, as has Alison East. Jo Drayton is booked to talk about Frances Hodgkins in February. (A new segment of the series involves significant artists who have died and we have a panel to be organised for Colin Mccahon, and Janet Frame’s niece to be interviewed when she is next in Auckland)

Our goal is to secure funding that enables us to carry out as many interviews as our community recording studio will accommodate and as our time to edit and download will allow. We feel perhaps that seeking sponsorship could be the best avenue for this and for ensuring that the great and rich diversity of cultures and disciplines, and gender balance, are represented.

The Depot has for fifteen years has honoured and sought to actively represent its philosophy, an aspect of which is inclusiveness, from which the Cultural Icons series originated.

Collectors

Comments on Art Gallery directors having a fixed term

HARRY CUNDY 26-9-11: I can imagine there might be genuine and reasonable grounds for fixing a maximum term for directors. So, no, they could do it if they wanted.

OTN 25-9-11 right: ... but what does that all mean to the Govett-Brewster? Does this legislation prevent them having a five year maximum term for their directors?

COMMENT HARRY CUNDY 25-9-11: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2000/0024/latest/DLM59161.html?search=ts_act_employment+relations+act_resel&p=1#DLM59161

OTN 25-9-11: "An employer may not employ someone on a fixed-term agreement where the job is really a permanent one and the employer really wants to avoid having to go through a fair disciplinary or dismissal procedure if there are problems." - Biz.govt.nz

COMMENT FROM ANDREW CLIFFORD 24-09-11: That's an interesting clarification about the Employment Relations Act and fixed term positions. So how does that work for Artspace's 3-year directorship and Te Tuhi's 3-year term curatorship?

COMMENT FROM THE GOVETT-BREWSTER ART GALLERY 23-09-11: There is no mention in the Monica Brewster Trust Deed, which established the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, of the Gallery Director having a five-year tenure. An Advisory Committee (made up of Directors of other art galleries) was established in the 1970s and was responsible for selecting a Director for the Gallery. This Committee did have a practice of employing a Director for a term of five years. The New Plymouth District Council(NPDC), which is now responsible for employing the Gallery's Director, initially continued the practice of a five-year term. However, under the Employment Relations Act, a fixed term is not possible for a permanent position, and so it is not possible for NPDC to have in place a practice where the Gallery Director has a fixed tenure of five years. Former Director Greg Burke was employed for seven years.

focus

Te Papa Visitor & Market Research Unit
Focus Group Information Sheet

You have been invited to participate in a focus group discussion at Te Papa because of your professional knowledge and interest in New Zealand art. There will be eight participants present as well as Te Papa staff who will observe the discussions. Notes will be taken, and our conversations will be recorded for analysis.

While more information will be provided at the beginning of the evening, the aim of the discussion is for you and the others to explore & discuss some ideas and concepts Te Papa has about the possible re-development of the museum’s art exhibition spaces on level five. It could be a very interesting evening.

It will be held at Te Papa on Tuesday, 16 August 2011. Please be at the ‘black revolving ball’ inside Te Papa’s main entrance no later than 4.40 p.m. One of our staff will be waiting for you.

The discussion will run from 4:45 to 6.45 p.m.. If you arrive by car, please park in the Te Papa car park – we will provide a parking voucher to ensure you are not charged when leaving. Food and refreshments will also be provided, and a $50 Te Papa Store gift voucher will be provided as koha for your participation.

All research undertaken with people at Te Papa meets the requirements of the New Zealand Privacy Act 1993 and the ethical requirements contained in the New Zealand Market Research Society Guidelines.

• If you agree to participate, your participation is entirely voluntary. You can withdraw your agreement at any time for whatever reason.

• The information you provide will not be published in any form that willidentify you personally. If you agree to participate, you also agree to not disclose what other people said or did during the sessions. This protects everyone’s right to privacy. Te Papa staff are also required to abide by this privacy rule.

• The focus group discussions will be recorded (by hand and audio and/or video). They will be held in secure storage and will be destroyed upon completion of the final report. There will be observers present; these would be people who are responsible for exhibition development and delivery.

If you have any questions, or require additional information,
please contact the focus group facilitator.
Stephen Owen, Te Papa Visitor & Market Research Manager.
Tel: 04 381 7133. E-mail: stepheno@tepapa.govt.nz

Green thing, you make my heart sing

Jeff Koons Bowl of eggs (green)

Len Lye Centre plans: click on image to enlarge

 

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