Arts Hub Debate

Economic Benefits - Tourism

Option 2

Residents believe that establishing an arts hub in Nelson will significantly boost tourism by attracting both national arts groups and visitors interested in the arts, thereby enhancing the city's cultural reputation and economic vitality. The inclusion of diverse spaces such as shops, galleries, and bookable areas for community and arts activities within the hub is seen as a potential draw for both locals and tourists, especially if operational during weekends and public holidays to coincide with market activities. Overall, the community feels that a vibrant arts hub would not only revitalize the city by supporting the arts sector but also contribute to Nelson's economic growth by increasing visitor numbers and spending.

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!,
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.
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.
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.
1153.8	there is a perfectly empty space in that big yellow or green building in Montgomery Square that has nothing happening with it. Why not put the art hub in there? Bonus: have it open on weekends and public holidays to take advantage of the markets on. Yes you loose parking spaces to it but I think that is a good use of a vacant building
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.
1273.8	Arts is chronically underfunded, has the ability to bring people to nelson, livens up out city so it needs some extra support.
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.