Submission
9 year plan feedback
Should we remove 231 Stuart Street (formerly the Fortune Theatre) from the list of strategic assets in the DCC Significance and Engagement policy?
Yes, remove 231 Stuart Street from the list of strategic assets (this is our preferred option)
Do you have any comments about 231 Stuart Street?
Should we charge an entry fee of $20 (incl. GST) for international visitors aged 16 and over, at Toitū and Dunedin Public Art Gallery?
No, do not introduce an entry fee of $20 (incl. GST)
Do you have any comments about the entry fee for international visitors?
$10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
Local Water Done Well feedback
Which water services delivery model do you support?
Why did you choose this option?
Do you have any other feedback related to the proposed water services delivery models?
Performing Arts Theatre
Speaking as someone who has spent the past three years working to inject intensive support into the Dance Sector, I unequivocally state that Dunedin’s performing arts sector is in urgent need of funding and resource. If no immediate action is taken you risk widespread sector burnout, crumbling buildings, diluted work and substandard practices.
It is abhorrent that Dunedin advertises itself as one of the world’s great small cities for the arts, when all it’s public theatre spaces are crumbling or inaccessible (financially and/or physically). The status quo for many of the cities artists is that creating and making work is a massive struggle financially and logistically.
Having worked nationally and internationally in the dance sector, I can firmly say Dunedin is miles behind other national and international centres in terms of resource and infrastructure. The talent, passion and potential however is ripe. Internationally and domestically, I have had to apologise to artists wanting to visit the city either for the lack of venue space in the city or for the state of the current venues. Rehearsal space-wise there are NO fit-for-purpose dance studios available to the public and adequate spaces are hard to find/access. Production/performance-wise the Regent is too big and far too expensive for most productions, the Mayfair is inaccessible, and school auditoriums are not easily accessible during term time. The result is that Dunedin is left off touring circuits. Relationships disintegrate and audiences fall away. Our audiences experience little to no variety in what they see and overall the profile of dance (and people’s dance literacy) fall away. To make a visiting production sustainable financially, you need a venue of at least 400 seats – preferable around 600-700 to make ticket prices accessible. Dunedin currently has nothing bar the Mayfair that fits within that range. The revamping of current city venues is not an attractive option, as that would either put our current poor option out of use for too long, or deliver a substandard replacement.
A purpose-built theatre is the only way forward for the city. This is the opportunity for a hub of creativity, a place of meeting, growing and connecting. A thriving performing arts venue is a huge asset for the city - there has been countless research cases demonstrating this.
While waiting for movement on this issue, the performing arts community in Dunedin has become fractured and the longer Council takes to move forward and build a venue the more fractured it will become.
231 Stuart Street
The statement “We are committed to supporting the development of performing arts for our city and we will continue to work with the community on how best to do this including with the Performing Arts Community Group. We also plan to seek formal advice on options around potential theatre ownership and partnership structures, possible operating and funding models in order to determine how the performing arts can be best supported” is a mockery of the actions – or inactions – of the Council to date.
Along with Ōtepoti Community Builders, Stage South and various other arts organisations, we believe that the former Fortune Theatre building should be sold as soon as possible and all money from the sale ring-fenced for the Ōtepoti arts sector. It is shameful that, after multiple expensive reports which all concluded that the city needs a mid-sized fit-for-purpose performing arts facility, the Council voted to remove the earmarked minimal budget line. The Council should focus on a new build, and let go of the idea of refitting existing buildings – it will be more cost-effective and result in better long-term outcomes for both arts practitioners and audiences.
Additionally, it is critical that sufficient budget is allocated to the Dunedin Fringe Arts Trust for the purpose of maintaining and sustaining Te Whare o Rukutia and that arts funding, including the Professional Theatre Fund and with a view to creating a similar fund for professional dance, be increased to ensure the arts sector, on which much of the city’s claim to international fame rests, can survive and in time thrive.
Supporting information
No associated documents with this submission.
Submitter
Submission id number: 1132903
Submitter name:
Anna Noonan
Organisation
Dance Ōtepoti