Waimakariri Public Arts Advisory Trust

The Council approved a recommendation to establish the Waimakariri Public Arts Trust at their meeting on 6 August 2019, following the development of an 'Art in Public Places' policy in 2015.

This policy provides a framework for the acquisition, installation, placement and maintenance of public space artworks across the Waimakariri District.

A minimum of five and a maximum of seven Trustees will make up the Board, including two Councillors as Council appointed Trustees. It will be a Charitable Trust, set up as a Council controlled organisation. The Trust Deed also allows for the Landscape Architect, from the Council's Greenspace Team, to be an advisory Trustee. Applications for trustees closed on Monday 16 September.

Trustees are volunteers who give up their time and skills voluntarily, and their primary responsibilities are to manage the Art in Public Places policy, and foster a wide range of art in public places. The Trust may also facilitate funding applications, and can commission art work. The Trust will minimise cost to ratepayers by seeking independent funding via donations and applications to funding agencies.

Trustees would be required to attend monthly meetings, be present at the annual AGM and to attend events associated with the Waimakariri Art in Public Places Trust.

The purpose of the 'Art in Public Places' policy is to:

  • Demonstrate an open and enabling approach to the concept of public art
  • Provide a consistent approach and clarity around the process of acquisition, siting and ongoing management of art works in the District
  • Set clear Council expectations for any provider/proposer/funder of public art work in the consideration of potential future installations.

The criteria for considering suitability for appointment of a Trustee is detailed in Schedule A of the Trust Deed, and considers the following attributes:

  • Enthusiasm and/or expertise in the arts and a willingness to champion public art in the Waimakariri District
  • Integrity of member
  • A commitment to the trust and its objectives
  • An understanding and accepted of the legal duties, responsibilities and liability of the trusteeship
  • A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as a trustee
  • Good independent judgement
  • An ability to think creatively
  • The ability to work effectively as a member of a team and a willingness to state personal conviction and, equally, to accept a majority decision and be tolerant of the views of other people
  • A belief in equal opportunities and diversity
  • Not have any orders under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 or otherwise relating to the mental capacity of the member
  • Have no convictions for fraud or any fraud related activities.

For more information, contact Chris Brown, Manager Community and Recreation by email or phone 0800 965 648.