Experience and passion to lead new Arts Trust

The Waikato is one step closer to having a dynamic new arts organisation established. The recently formed Arts Trust, currently known as ‘Creative Waikato’, has just appointed eight highly skilled and experienced trustees tasked with realising its vision for a thriving and resilient arts sector in the region.

Hamiltonian Chris Williams was appointed as chair and relishes the opportunity to extend his involvement in the arts sector. Mr Williams has a strong passion for the creative industry, having worked in the advertising business for the last 25 years, including 13 years running his own agency, King St Advertising. He also describes himself as a self-taught musician who loves working with creative people. He has held the position of chair of the Waikato Times Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival for the last 3 years.

“It was an honour for me to be asked to apply for the Trust and an even bigger one to be appointed chairman. The trust is made up of some very talented people, and we are all committed to developing an organisation the whole region can be proud of. Our vision is to enrich people’s lives through the Arts and we are looking forward to bringing this to life,” says Mr Williams.

Trustee appointments also include Gail Campbell, Charlotte Issac, Margi Moore, Craig Muntz, Cheryl Reynolds, Carole Shepheard and Bruce Sheridan. The inaugural board of trustees strongly reflects the diversity of experience that is needed to successfully develop and grow the arts in the region.

Trust Waikato and Hamilton City Council, as two major funders of arts and culture in the region, are fully supportive of Creative Waikato and see great benefits for the region in having a cohesive and strategically focused arts organisation. Trust Waikato chair Clint Baddeley says, “Trust Waikato is strongly supportive of the new organisation. The newly appointed trustees comprise a high calibre team of people that everyone can have great confidence in.”

The city's Mayor, Julie Hardaker says, “The new trust and appointment of trustees is another step in growing the arts in the Waikato region and adds to the recently released Council’s Arts Agenda strategic plan.  The wide range of governance experience and involvement in the creative sector that the trustees bring will make a valuable contribution to the Waikato community.”

Arts Waikato chair David Waine has been involved in discussions over the creation of the trust and says, “Creative Waikato will build on the work of Arts Waikato, and with increased resourcing and community involvement and support, can grow and strengthen the arts sector for Hamilton City and the greater Waikato.”

Creative Hamilton has also expressed its support. “We are fully supportive of this move. The combined resources will help build on all the good work we have been doing and work towards developing a vibrant, growing arts community. We’re looking forward to meeting with the new trust to discuss some of our projects,” says Scott Ratuki, chair of Creative Hamilton.

At the heart of the new organisation is a commitment to celebrating arts and developing sustainable funding for the way arts are funded, supported and delivered to the people of the region. Mr Williams states that the priority for the Board is now to employ a Chief Executive and set up the framework to become operational by 1 July 2012.