She has reimagined the purposes to which the elegant old building can be put, most recently as the hub for the inaugural Waitaki Arts Festival, as Nathalie Brown reports.
Q As if doubling the attendance at the Oamaru Opera House in the past two and a-half years wasn’t a big enough achievement, you’ve now launched a regional arts festival. What was your thinking behind that, given that Oamaru already has its fair share of annual festivals?
A When I arrived in Oamaru in 2015 it was so good to see that there were so many well supported festivals; notably the annual Victorian celebrations and the steampunk festivities. I was struck by the fact that they are genre specific and while participation is high, themes can create barriers for some people. I know when I get an invitation to a fancy dress party I quietly shudder at first before I jump on board and have fun. I do, however, know that for some people themes create major barriers, while an arts festival is more inclusive and an excellent opportunity to bring friends and families together to create memorable experiences.
Q How are you funding it?
A We’ve had some excellent support from sponsors and we’re very excited that our Boosted campaign is now live so that individuals can donate. No matter how much or little anyone gives, it all makes a difference and all donations are tax deductible; always a bonus! If we receive 300 donations of $20 we can reach our target. It’s a simple process, just follow the link: http://www.boosted.org.nz//projects/waitaki-arts-festival.
Q What drew you to Oamaru?
A There were several lures. I was very excited to see the changes that were happening here; to see the younger entrepreneurs moving here as they recognise what a unique place it is to live, and because the Oamaru Opera House is a beautiful venue, worthy of being shared with as broad a sector of the community as is possible. Finally, it was my mother’s home until she left to take up a career in nursing in the ’40s, and I have many fond memories of spending holidays here with my grandparents.
Q Have you always worked in arts administration?
A Prior to Oamaru I was living in Nelson managing the Nelson School of Music, New Zealand’s oldest independent music school. Not only was it a school of music, it also had an acoustically perfect purpose-built concert hall — complete with pipe organ — with category one heritage building status.
While at the school of music for eight years my work there was diverse; I was involved in programming, directing, funding and sponsorship for the annual winter festival, the education programme and for the last four years managing the Creative NZ funded regional touring programme in the South Island and my last summer included directing the Nelson Jazz and Blues Festival. My highlights while there included securing the philanthropic funding for a Steinway concert grand piano and the pleasure of having David Helfgott come to Nelson for an intimate one-off regional performance, and securing funding and working with Loop Productions to develop the largest New Zealand tour of Fly My Pretties; where the regions were included in the tour in addition to the main centres.
Before working in the world of performing arts and venue management I was involved in the arts in a variety of ways; as a private and community art tutor, a contract interior designer, and developing comprehensive art and activity programmes in retirement villages. My most moving memories are from working with people with dementia and witnessing how expansive and absorbing art and music was for them. My husband and I started a family while we were young so I had the ability to build my creative work into being a stay-at-home mum. I was also fortunate to have worked with a growing accountancy firm in New Plymouth, where I learned about the art of finances, which has allowed me to be successful in the financial management of the businesses I have been involved in. A highly valuable strength to have running arts organisations!
Q What gives you most enjoyment in life?
A Other than a passion for family, art, food, wine and the great outdoors, my main objective is to grow audiences for performing arts; make it accessible to a really, really wide range of people and share the extraordinary emotive experiences that high quality performance art can evoke.
Q How do you account for the increase in the number of people using the Opera House and what strategies do you have for building on that?
A It’s so affirming to see the growth in our attendance numbers. We have doubled the number of people in our community visiting the Opera House: we belong to the Waitaki community and all are welcome.
I think I can attribute this shift to communication and networking, something that is so vital for our regional venues. The message from the Oamaru Opera House is that our doors are open, we want to work together with community groups, we want to support events as much as we can so that the outcome is a professionally run, successful event. My motto is: "If you don’t ask, then the answer is always going to be 'no'". So if you want to know whether what you are doing can work here, just come and ask.
The festival
• The Waitaki Arts Festival runs from September 21 to October 8.
For more information go to oamaruoperahouse.co.nz.
