Arts Hub Debate

Community Wellbeing - Culture and Heritage

Option 2

Residents supporting Option 2 believe that establishing an arts hub will revitalize Nelson's cultural scene, enhancing its identity as a creative center and attracting both residents and visitors. They emphasize the importance of the arts hub in providing a collaborative space that supports various arts organizations and fosters community engagement and cultural enrichment. Additionally, there is a strong sentiment that the arts hub should not only preserve but also celebrate Nelson's rich artistic heritage, ensuring that it remains an integral part of the community's social and economic fabric.

Table of comments:

Point No	Comment
298.8	Nelson lost its way on arts when ir allowed WOW to go to Wellington and swell those coffers.At that time a truly ambitious arts and concert hall,allowing for big concerts and performances could have been constructed instead of ‘messing around’ with the Trafalgar centre ,still a white elephant.A little vision and ambition could bring NZ opera,ballet,orchestras as well as major pop and other performer. Blenheim managed this!,
412.8	I fully support council investing in our arts community, it's a vital part of Nelson's DNA and delivers significant value. I particularly appreciate the services provided by the community art hub and would like to see investment to secure its future.
447.8	The arts are critical in generating a positive vibe in the city! There is so much thinking and action in the arts community on how we can make our city the Arts Capital of Aotearoa New Zealand - as it used to be when I first arrived in 1982. We have lost that impetus and need to re-gain it. An arts hub will be pivotal for increased collaboration and better use of all resources and personnel committed to this area. The arts sector is on a roll - it needs a central hub to really capitalise on the momentum created by MakeShift Spaces and many others working in this space.
677.5	This would be a valuable addition to increase the name Nelson has already of being an art centre.  However, it is important this does not reduce the annual support to the iconic arts centres; Nelson Centre for Musical Arts and Theatre Royal.  We cannot lose them.
677.5	This would be a valuable addition to increase the name Nelson has already of being an art centre.  However, it is important this does not reduce the annual support to the iconic arts centres; Nelson Centre for Musical Arts and Theatre Royal.  We cannot lose them.
749.8	Nelson used to be defined by it's artists. We have many beautiful buildings downtown that sit empty that could be repurposed for art! Bring the arts back to Nelson and give us a large music/performance venue either in an old building or build a new one. This is vital to Nelson.
769.8	The Community Art Works should have a new home within the new arts hub, they have served the nelson community and city council for over 25 years
773.8	I would say option 2 and as the city continue downtown redevelopment - look to either increase that space with other buildings acquired or renovated or go option 3. The arts are important to a community but they also can't be forced by the public sector so whichever option goes, it needs to be sure that there is plenty of breathing room for the artist community without public sector intervention.
781.8	The strong creative community in Nelson draws visitors from all over. Let's get our creative industries recognised and supported better! An Arts hub or precinct would be such an asset for the community.
806.8	Nelson should continue to support and celebrate the arts
829.2	ACN fully support this initiative.
841.8	Community Artworks has been a hugely valuable resource for Nelson art and culture. I know many amazing masks and props have been made their for shows festivals like the Mask Parade. It's absolutely vital CAW is given a fit-for-purpose space to use so it can continue the amazing services and support it offers our community.
864.4	We recognise that art and culture is essential to people’s wellbeing. We believe money should be put into existing arts spaces that have been running on shoestring budgets.There needs to be consideration of the location, accessibility of the arts hub for a diverse range of people, lower-income households etc. Cultural Conversations would be interested in being part of a new arts hub. There needs to be recognition of the importance of language access and culturally appropriate resources to create an inclusive and diverse art space.
985.6	We support investment in the Arts Hub and the proposal to purchase an existing building. The region is proud of its arts and creativity sector and we know it has been an important of Nelson's branding over decades We encourage council to ensure that this building is in the city centre. The presence of the Refinery Art Space on Hardy Street has been beneficial to the Arts Sector and to surrounding businesses. With Magenta Art Space now located in Selwyn Place on the other side of Rutherford Mews it makes sense to locate it in close proximity.
987.8	We recognise the importance of art and culture in people’s wellbeing. There needs to be consideration of the location, accessibility of the arts hub for a diverse range of people, lower-income households etc.  As Nelson is becoming increasingly diverse, we need to ensure this is a multicultural space representative of our residents, and to recognize the importance of language access and culturally appropriate resources to create an inclusive and diverse art space.
1001.9	8Arts Hub: Support option 2. I also think it would be a good fit with a new library so temporary premises will be required.
1038.6	The Arts is a key differentiator for Nelson which has been lost a bit over the years. We still have so much talent in the region, its just hard to see it or find ut. The Arts Hub is a fantastic idea to revitalise this sector and help put Nelson back on the map.
1075.8	Note - I have a conflict of interest here as a consultant to NCC on the arts. Absolutely support the retrofit and retention of existing buildings. I encourage a wider consideration around a network of arts hubs - including provision for Āwhio Toi, Community Art Works (CAW), Magenta, The Refinery etc and recognition of our privately held strengths such as The Kiln, The Bench, Centre for Fine Woodwork etc.It is critical we support organisations doing it tough right now to find suitable accommodation and establish a new central arts hub in one of the existing buildings crying out for occupancy and use.
1081.8	Please consider having a mixture of spaces for community groups; bookable spaces for short term projects; and long term leases for artists. The space needs to be supported by both an exhibition space and a separate dealer gallery/ retail shops to allow emerging artists to trial how the community responds to their work both artistically and as a saleable product. Shops in this complex have the potential to be vibrant drawcards that will attract both locals and tourists.
1140.3	In full support of the establishment of an Arts Hub, plus the expansion of Nelson Arts Council into an Arts Development Agency as part of He TaaTai Whetu. So much good work is done by ACN, with the potential for so much more.
1201.5	The arts sector is an integral part of our identity and our economy.
1221.8	Will fill a number of critical gaps.  Thank you for getting on with this.
1249.4	As manager of the Refinery ArtSpace I firmly support the second option. Permanent premises in the CBD that provide accessible, affordable making spaces for the community can only lead to favourable outcomes. The Refinery ArtSpace  (Arts Conucil Nelson) provides an important programme of exhibitions and events that encourage community and innovation in the arts as well as being a connector and cruciable for other arts organisations and initiatives. A permanent home in the CBD will provide an anchor point for the creative community with the Arts Developmemt Agency housed there and along with strategic partners will foster a vibrant inner city creative culture that attracts residents and visitors and cements us as a creative centre.
1278.8	The purchase of a historic building that is under private ownership and not being maintained would be an ideal option, so that history can be preserved and a building that represents art of the past with art of the future combined.
1398.7	The work that Arts Council Nelson (ACN) is about to embark on will transform the arts sector here in Whakatu. The Arts Development Agency could achieve even more if, in partnership with Council, its' current building is purchased to assist with the delivery of objectives outlined in He Tātai Whetū, including the establishment of an arts hub, artists residencies, artists studios, administrative offices for arts, marketing, festival development, and a strong arts community who can easily connect and collaborate within this space.
1476.3	NRDA supports the proposal to establish an arts hub in the city centre through purchase of an existing building (Arts Hub Option 2), as a follow-through of the Nelson Arts and Creative Strategy, He Tātai Whetū, to enhance the Creative Economy, with further implications for talent and investment attraction, and enhancement of the visitor economy.