Writing an arts strategy for the arts community in the Coromandel is like 'fitting together the pieces of a Friedensreich Hundertwasser mosaic”, says art consultant Hilary Falconer.

The Matarangi-based consultant has been contracted by Thames-Coromandel District Council to put together the arts strategy, which is being led predominantly by the community.

The Great Coromandel Arts Tour is an annual event that promotes the works of artists living on the Peninsula and should benefit from the Thames-Coromandel District Council Art Strategy. Photo: TCDC

In the Thames-Coromandel council's latest Long Term Plan it committed $12,000 towards developing an arts strategy for the district.

The first steps towards a robust strategy involves meeting with artists and groups from around the Coromandel and teasing out what exactly they want included.

'The strategy has received much interest from the arts community and common themes are starting to present themselves,” says Hilary. 'Most are looking for help to co-ordinate and promote the arts in the district, and these are actions which can be presented in the strategy.”

The Strategy has two levels: the first is an overarching summary of the goals and aims for arts in the Coromandel, while the second will delve deeper into how those goals and aims can be achieved.

The draft Strategy will be presented to the Economic Development Committee in August before going out for consultation.

For information visit the Thames-Coromandel District Council's Coromandel Creative Arts Strategy webpage.