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Elizabeth Kerr takes her leave from Creative New Zealand

14 Apr 2006
Elizabeth Kerr, Chief Executive of the Government's arts development organisation, Creative New Zealand, announced today that she will leave the organisation in August to take up a new role as…

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Elizabeth Kerr, Chief Executive of the Government's arts development organisation, Creative New Zealand, announced today that she will leave the organisation in August to take up a new role as Manager of the New Zealand String Quartet Trust.

The Big Idea would like to acknowledge that it has been under the leadership of Elizabeth Kerr that our website has been fostered and supported by Creative New Zealand into the fabulous shape-shifting beast that it is today.

Read on for the Key Findings in New Zealanders and the arts: Nga iwi katoa ō Aotearoa me nga mahi toi.Elizabeth Kerr, Chief Executive of the Government's arts development organisation, Creative New Zealand, announced today that she will leave the organisation in August to take up a new role as Manager of the New Zealand String Quartet Trust.

The Big Idea would like to acknowledge that it has been under the leadership of Elizabeth Kerr that our website has been fostered and supported by Creative New Zealand into the fabulous shape-shifting beast that it is today.

Read on for the Key Findings in New Zealanders and the arts: Nga iwi katoa ō Aotearoa me nga mahi toi.Miss Kerr, who was appointed Chief Executive of Creative New Zealand in 2000, has had a long career in the cultural sector. This includes a role as senior lecturer in music at Victoria University of Wellington, Manager of Concert FM, and Chief Executive of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. She has also held governance positions with a number of cultural organisations, including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Centre for New Zealand Music and the Vector Wellington Orchestra.

"With this move, I am returning to my musical roots," Miss Kerr said. "The New Zealand String Quartet is one of New Zealand's most outstanding musical ensembles and I'm very excited about the chance to contribute to its ongoing success, both in this country and internationally."

Peter Biggs, outgoing Chair of Creative New Zealand's governing body, the Arts Council, today paid tribute to Miss Kerr.

"Elizabeth has led the organisation with inspiration, purpose and intelligence," Mr Biggs said. "Her superb leadership skills and ability to excite people around a vision, plus her wonderful skill at making things happen, mean that Creative New Zealand has become a much more strategic organisation focussed on arts development.

"It is fortunate indeed that the sector will still benefit from her many skills. On behalf of Creative New Zealand, I wish her well as she follows her heart and takes up a role in music."

Helene Pohl, leader of the New Zealand String Quartet, said the group is delighted at the appointment. "We couldn't be more thrilled that Elizabeth is joining us to help us fulfil our mission of bringing great music to as many New Zealanders as possible and taking New Zealand music overseas.

"We've known and respected Elizabeth for years and we highly value her ability and experience, as well as her great passion for music."

Looking back on her six years as Chief Executive of Creative New Zealand, Miss Kerr said the Government's ongoing commitment to the sector and Prime Minister Helen Clark's role in championing the arts had enabled Creative New Zealand to take a more strategic approach, develop a number of exciting initiatives, and build audiences and markets for New Zealand work.

"It's clear from the research report, New Zealanders and the Arts, launched last week by Creative New Zealand, that we're a society that values the arts hugely," Miss Kerr said. "I'm delighted that I've been able to play a role in arts development in New Zealand and I can continue to be a part of such a vibrant sector."

Creative New Zealand Research Report in the Arts in New Zealand - April 2006

Key Findings

Key findings from the survey New Zealanders and the arts: attitudes, attendance and participation in 2005:

Attendance:

  • 84% of New Zealanders aged 15+ attended at least one arts event in the past year
  • One-third (32%) of New Zealanders aged 15+ attended arts events regularly - at least once a month
  • Just over one-third (35%) of New Zealanders 15+ have attended a M_ori arts event in the past 12 months
  • One-third (33%) of New Zealanders aged 15+ have attended a Pacific arts event in the past 12 months
  • In terms of frequency, the most significant increase in attendance levels (9% overall) is at M_ori arts events

    Participation:

    Participation in the arts by New Zealanders aged 15+ was analysed by frequency of participation. The study shows that:

  • Half of the population (50 %) actively participated in the arts
  • Income has no influence on arts participation
  • Educational attainment has more influence on arts attendance than on arts participation
  • More than half the people who don't attend any arts events are favourably disposed to the arts. This group is heavily involved in the arts through participation rather than attendance
  • Lack of time and other commitments is the main reason for attending arts events less often
  • Ethnic groups in New Zealand are active participants in the arts
  • Maori show the highest positive skew towards active participation. They represent
  • One-fifth (21%) of the group who most actively participate in the arts

    Attitudes:

    To determine New Zealanders' attitudes to the arts they were asked to agree or disagree with a series of statements.

    The findings show that:

  • 77% agree that the arts should receive public funding
  • 76% agree the arts help define who we are as New Zealanders
  • 75% agree the arts are strong in New Zealand
  • 74% agree the arts contribute positively to our economy
  • 73% agree that their community would be poorer without the arts
  • 56% say the arts are part of their daily lives
  • 41% say they cannot live without the arts

    10-14 age group:

    Some key findings from the 10-14 age group include:

  • 87% agreed that the arts are enjoyable
  • 63% said their friends are interested in the
  • 80% used a computer to create art
  • 51% said the arts are part of their family's life
  • 35% attended M_ori arts events with family and friends outside of school in the past year. Of those more than one-third (35%) attended two or three times
  • 51% participated in Pacific arts with their school in the past 12 months (24% outside of school)

    Definitions

    The arts were defined as:

  • Visual arts: painting, photography, sculpture, web-based/digital art, ceramic-making, film making (and film festivals included in attendance questions)
  • Performing arts - theatre, dance, music: ballet or contemporary dance performances, theatre, concerts, singing or musical performances or events, circuses
  • Literature: writing workshops or a literary event; writing poetry, fiction or non-fiction
  • Maori arts: arts or craft, workshops including carving, weaving or singing, kappa haka or other M_ori dance or music activities
  • Pacific arts: weaving and other Pacific handicrafts, workshops, carving, traditional dance, choir or other musical activities

    And participation was defined as active participation, that is actually making or doing something, and the potential roles were:

  • An artist/performer; crew/helper/volunteer; teacher/coach; organiser/ producer/director; fundraiser/committee/board member; student.
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