Artistic Director of New Zealand International Arts Festival stepping down in 2006

Fran Wilde, Chair of the New Zealand International Arts Festival today announced the departure of its artistic director, Carla van Zon, who will leave at the end of the Festival.

Fran Wilde said: "Carla informed the Board last year that the 2006 Festival would be her last. We will be very sorry to see Carla depart but understand her desire to seek fresh challenges and a change in direction.

Image: Carla van Zon - moving on and up...Artistic Director of New Zealand International Arts Festival stepping down in 2006

Fran Wilde, Chair of the New Zealand International Arts Festival today announced the departure of its artistic director, Carla van Zon, who will leave at the end of the Festival.

Fran Wilde said: "Carla informed the Board last year that the 2006 Festival would be her last. We will be very sorry to see Carla depart but understand her desire to seek fresh challenges and a change in direction.

Image: Carla van Zon - moving on and up..."Carla has been an integral part of the Festival for the past 15 years and has made a huge contribution to the Festival, the city, New Zealand's performing arts, and arts leadership in general. Wellington owes her an enormous debt of gratitude.

"She can be rightfully proud of the experiences she has brought to Wellington, which have enriched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Carla has been a key part of the New Zealand International Arts Festival's success story having been involved in every festival since its inception in 1986, more recently in the roles of executive director and artistic director.

"She will be leaving the Festival in very good heart with the 2006 Festival shaping up to be one of her best programmes," Fran Wilde said.

Carla van Zon said today: "It has been enormously challenging, inspirational and satisfying to have spent the past 15 years building the New Zealand International Arts Festival to what it is today, with the support and enthusiasm of so many New Zealand and international artists. It is now time to move on, however. "

The Board will now begin a national and international search to replace Carla to ensure the new appointee can be an observer at the Festival which takes place 24 February - 19 March 2006.

"This will be an excellent opportunity for the appointee to gain first hand experience of the challenges of putting together and staging New Zealand's premier arts event. It's important to continue the Festival's development, so that it is stronger than ever," Fran Wilde said.

People interested in viewing the job description should go to the Festival website: www.nzfestival.telecom.co.nz

For more information contact:
Fran Wilde 04 931 9304
Carla van Zon 04 473 0149

New Zealand International Arts Festival
Wellington, New Zealand
T: + 64 4 496 5493
F: + 64 4 471 1164
www.nzfestival.telecom.co.nz