Creative Bay of Plenty has updated the arts community on progress made by the organisation over the last 12 months, in a meeting held on Thursday.

Chairperson Michelle Whitmore also announced the introduction of a vehicle that local arts groups can use, and the co-working space that Creative Bay of Plenty will shortly open to the arts sector.

'It was really exciting to have arts and culture practitioners here tonight to join us,” says Michelle. 'So we can give an update on what effectively is a ratepayer-funded organisation.

'It's really important to us that we're accountable for the funding that we get and to talk positively about what we're doing, and to share some of the love.”

'Creative Bay of Plenty is at the helm of a community created and community delivered strategy,” says Creative BOP General Manager Meg Davis. 'We have a role to monitor and report on 31 actions, and deliver eight of these. The arts and culture strategy, Toi Moana, provides the blueprint, and we are here to provide the support, encouragement and leadership on its execution.”

Creative BOP General Manager Meg Davis

The Western Bay of Plenty District Council has increased its total funding to $100,000 per annum for the next three years to cover Creative Bay of Plenty's service and strategy delivery.

Tauranga City Council has provided strategy specific funding of $113,000 in Year One; $98 000 in Year Two; and $98 000 in Year Three.

'Last time we hosted a sector update, it was prior to our submission for the Long Term Plans for both councils,” says Meg. 'Both Councils have, through their respective Long Term Plan processes, approved funding to continue their support of our organisation.”

Existing base funding for the organizational core CUSP – ‘Connect, Upskill, Support, Promote' activities and administering the Creative Communities Scheme will remain consistent at $300,000 per annum.

Michelle acknowledged the service of long-serving board members Awhina Thatcher, Dean Wearne and Marcus Wilkins who have retired from the Board. New trustees have been appointed. Members of the existing board are Thoje Hood, Suzanne McNicol, Steve Graveson, Paul Whitaker, Jo West, Kristen Joiner, and Tim Bell.

As well as funding from the two councils, Creative Bay of Plenty is sponsored by Simpson Grierson, William Buck, Technology Wise, and Farmers Auto Village.

A recent addition is Alicia Beech, who has brought an added social media management skillset to the team.

'We've had a really great evening here tonight,” says Michelle, 'and we're really pleased to see people from so many diverse backgrounds here, and to explain how the strategy now is going to inform what we do as an organisation this year.

'Some of the things we're doing maybe slightly differently are getting a vehicle which we think will be great for the sector to use. We're going to open up our space a lot more in terms of a co-working space or hot-desking.

'We've got some really good insight from our sector, and from people who are saying this is what we'd really like you to do as an organisation, and that's what we're committed to delivering. So that's really pleasing.”

Creative BOP General Manager Meg Davis.

Some of the proposed co-working space at Creative BOP

Kutu Mukherjee with Detour Theatre's Kim Williamson