Creative Tauranga has reformed its board and is now searching for a new manager to transform the organisation over the next 3-5 years.

The new general manager is expected to unite, enhance and support the arts and culture in the region to achieve a greater momentum, says Creative Tauranga chairman Marcus Wilkins.

Interim general manager Jennifer Pearson has been holding the fort and guiding Creative Tauranga through a 360 degree review. Photo: Debbie McCauley.

Creative Tauranga has been without a permanent general manger since last year. Former CEO Tracey Rudduck Gudsell resigned in June 2015 after 11 years.

Acting General Manager Jennifer Pearson joined as interim general manager in September 2015. She had worked alongside Tracey Rudduck-Gudsell on Creative Tauranga projects for several years, including the Hairy Maclary Sculpture project. As interim general manager Jennifer worked with Creative Tauranga to help guide the organisation into new premises and through a 360 degree review.

Jennifer isn't applying for the permanent positon, says Marcus.

'Jennifer has done a wonderful job filling this vacancy while the Board has been developing its new direction. We're immensely pleased with all the work she has done ‘holding the fort' and supporting us through this period of transition.

'The Board are looking for someone to lead the organisation who is highly skilled in the area of both relationships and management, and who will support the arts and culture sector achieve their own aspirations – including leveraging support as required.”

The strategic review in 2015 delivered the Board a clear picture of what the arts and culture sector wanted the organisation to focus on and has enabled the Board to take into account the views of a wide range of people and organisations who contribute to the arts and culture of the wider Bay of Plenty community.

'This feedback from the sector told us we needed to develop an organisation that is more clearly the ‘go-to' place for anything to do with arts and culture - facilitation, information and advocacy, as well as achieving higher visibility and credibility for arts and culture within our community."

Marcus says the Board has also been working on its new strategic plan which will provide some shape to the organisation for the new general manager to pick up and develop.

This will be shared with the sector more widely once the general manager is on board. The change of title reflects a downsized Creative Tauranga.

'The organisation's a little bit smaller. The general manager is a little bit more accurate description of the role,” says Marcus.

They're in the business of looking after scarce ratepayer funding and they don't want to inflate expectations based on title.

Marcus says the new Creative Tauranga probably won't be involved in events and projects to the degree it was in the past, but he won't be drawn on the strategic direction.

The Board believes it is critical the organisation has positive engagement with people who deliver arts and culture, and the person they are looking for must be able to develop and enhance relationships across the sector, says Marcus.