On Wednesday, November 12th, Shore Arts Forum will present 'The Big Picture: Arts Across Auckland.' This free seminar, co-sponsored by North Shore City Council, will be held from 7:00 to 10:00 pm at the Bruce Mason Centre, The Promenade, Takapuna Beach. On Wednesday, November 12th, Shore Arts Forum will present 'The Big Picture: Arts Across Auckland.' This free seminar, co-sponsored by North Shore City Council, will be held from 7:00 to 10:00 pm at the Bruce Mason Centre, The Promenade, Takapuna Beach.It will be devoted to regional arts environments, focusing on North Shore and Waitakere cities. Anyone involved or interested in the arts, from artist to manager and from hobbyist to professional, is welcome to attend.

The seminar will be hosted by Councillor Julia Parfitt, who will present an overview of the current arts scene in North Shore City. Other speakers and topics include:
Naomi McCleary, Senior Arts Planner for Waitakere City: "What makes the Arts so successful out West?" Waitakere's unique integrated approach to arts planning and programming.
Elisabeth Vaneveld of Creative NZ: "The New Local Government Act and the Arts." The Local Government Act 2002 acknowledges that local governments' responsibilities include promotion of the "cultural well-being of communities." How will local governments respond to this challenge, and how can the arts community help them?
David Knowles, North Shore City Council Environmental Policy Advisor: "The Role of the Arts in North Shore City's Economic Development Strategy." A call to North Shore City's arts community to initiate a new regional arts event worthy of national attention.

The speakers' presentations will be followed by a light supper, with time for networking. All are welcome. To register please contact Andrea King in the Shore Arts Forum office, 09 486 0245, saforum@xtra.co.nz