Organised by Stage South, the forum, held at the New Athenaeum Theatre in the Octagon, was attended by about 30 local theatre and music practitioners and representatives of local arts organisations.
All but two of the 16 candidates for the mayoralty attended the event — Mickey Treadwell and Doug Hall offered apologies — which was MCed by Barry Dorking.
Each of the candidates had the opportunity to introduce themselves and answer three pre-prepared questions about the importance of performing arts and venues to Dunedin and how they would contribute to a vibrant arts scene.
Also discussed was the council’s $17 million theatre package, passed earlier this year, which set aside money for the Playhouse Theatre restoration ($3.35m), the expansion of the Athenaeum building ($4.25m) and $9.5m in seed funding towards a purpose-built performing arts centre.
Up first, candidate Liana MacFarlane said she would like Dunedin to use Forsyth Barr Stadium as an arts centre; and would "love to see the Fortune up and going again".
Ruthven Allimrac expressed his support for the arts as a vital aspect of the "soul of Dunedin".
Sophie Barker said the theatre community was "at the beginning of a long process" in terms of developing the concept for an arts centre, but that it was time for council to "get cracking" on it.
Lee Vandervis said there were many talented people in the arts in the city, but that Dunedin had not been good at "monetising the arts" for it to be viable.
He supported the Playhouse development, but was not in support of the Athenaeum funding and said $9.5m for a new theatre was not enough.
Carmen Houlihan was in support of the theatre package, highlighting funding for a theatre action group to oversee and safeguard the process.
Pamela Taylor said her campaign was about reducing rates, but she was broadly in support of performance and rehearsal spaces.
Mayor Jules Radich expressed the view that musical theatre was the most popular form of performing arts in the city, spoke in support of the Playhouse development, but had misgivings about the Athenaeum building.
He also mused on why the Fortune Theatre had closed.
Mandy Mayhem spoke of her close involvement in the arts and said Dunedin artists were underfunded, but expected to put on professional shows.
"We need a purpose built, fit-for-purpose space and we need it soon."
David Milne appeared unaware that Dunedin Summer Shakespeare existed,
it was later pointed out to him that performances of Shakespeare had been happening in Dunedin outdoor spaces for six years.
Andrew Simms said the council was under pressure to deliver core services, but that the arts also needed council’s "unwavering support" and that council had a role to play through funding and formulating a plan.
Link Arundsen spoke about financial sustainability for Dunedin.
Benedict Ong said the city needed strong economic leadership and a theatre that would attract tourists.
Marie Laufiso highlighted that the city’s arts community had developed and brought the Ara Toi arts strategy to council, and spoke about the need for long-term planning.
The Fortune Theatre, which closed in May, 2018, citing problems with "financial viability" came up over and over again, with some speakers referencing attending shows there as evidence they were supporters of the arts.
Others said there needed to be "more to do at night" in Dunedin, demonstrating an unawareness of the city’s busy arts scene — which in the past two weeks has included Jesus Christ Superstar (Taieri Musical), Every Brilliant Thing (Birds of a Feather), "Anna Leese and Gloria" (Dunedin Symphony Orchestra/City Choir Dunedin, and Lords and Ladies (Globe Theatre) among others.
A question from veteran actor Peter Hayden about how Dunedin could compete with Christchurch and its top-notch venues, including a new Court Theatre, was responded to by Mr Ong and Mr Radich, who spoke generally about economic development for the city.
At the forum’s conclusion, organiser Karen Elliot of Stage South summed up the frustration of those in attendance, she said that some candidates appeared to believe an entire new theatre could be built for $9.5m — despite being sent the correct information before the meeting.
"The $9.5m is only seed funding, the overall project would cost $28m," she said.
The Star spoke to attendees after the forum, with one expressing disappointment with the "ignorance and lack of concern" from some candidates.
