Arts Agenda

Table of Contents

Vision and values

The Arts Agenda for Auckland City will contribute to the Vision for Auckland as 'The First City of the Pacific' and particularly enhance its reputation as a celebrated arts and cultural centre of the South Pacific.

Auckland-Tamaki Makaurau will be the arts and cultural centre of the Pacific, with a unique identity based on the founding relationship between Ngati Whatua o Orakei and Auckland City, an identity which embraces our Pacific roots, our natural and cultural heritage and our cultural diversity.

Arts and culture, in many forms and descriptions, are intrinsic to quality of life in Auckland, contributing to the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of the city, and enhancing Aucklander's pride in their home and its peoples.

Reciprocity and mutual respect between Council and Tangata Whenua will enable the Te Ao Maori view to strengthen the arts in Auckland by helping to develop amicable relationships and increase respect for diverse perspectives.

Arts organisations, artists, arts educators, business, the wider community and Council will work together to provide an environment in which arts and culture flourish and prosper.

Auckland will be a vibrant city where the arts are highly visible, where there is lots happening and plenty of opportunities for its diverse communities to participate. Its unique identity will be expressed and enhanced through the arts including public artwork, and through the integration of art into the urban fabric of the city. As a creative and innovative city, Auckland will have strong international links through its arts and culture.

Principles and values

The Arts Agenda is based on the guiding principles of Council's Strategic Plan 2000 and Community Vision, First City of the Pacific - Democracy with Participation (leadership and community governance) and Equity (demonstrating integrity, fairness and justice) and with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, the historical foundation of our bi-cultural society.

Related to these guiding principles are the following core values, which will guide decisions about the arts in Auckland City:

• Sustainable Environment - meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
• Diversity - of lifestyle, ethnicity and culture
• Prosperity - abundance of opportunities
• Accessibility - removing barriers, providing opportunity
• Communication - that is open, honest, culturally appropriate and undertaken with integrity