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Auckland performing arts manager, producer, actor and all round impresario, Charlie McDermott has been awarded the Hynds Creative Entrepreneur 2013 Award at a gala event at Auckland’s Q Theatre.

Initiated by the Arts Regional Trust (ART) and sponsored by Hynds Group of Companies, the Award brings with it a $10,000 cash award and most importantly recognition of the hard work and countless hours that Charlie has poured into Auckland’s performing arts both through his work as the self-described ‘Chief Malarkey’ or General Manager of The Basement, and as a passionate advocate for and champion of the creative sector in a number of voluntary and formal /informal mentoring roles.

It was his drive and passion, coupled with his enabling of others, that prompted the Award judges Rob Garrett and Dr Peter Shand to select Charlie as the 2013 Award recipient.

“Charlie is a creative entrepreneur in the truest sense. He is constantly innovating and reinventing ways of doing things, and is not afraid to try things out and to test out his ideas. In the current context, he is creating new models of audience engagement around The Basement that can be replicated in Auckland and around the world,” Rob Garrett says.

Fellow judge Peter Shand agrees, and adds that he is impressed with the way Charlie has brought new audiences and fans to Auckland’s performing arts sector, for the benefit of everyone.

“Charlie is not only a skilled practitioner and leader in his field, but most importantly an enabler and connector of people, a community builder,” says judge and ART Board member Peter Shand.

“He inspires and motivates others through his drive and passion, and is an innovator who is not afraid to try (and fail), as true entrepreneurs do. The way Charlie works really aligns with the values that holds dear; being innovative, creating a legacy for Auckland and beyond, building and growing talent and excellence,” he says.

Charlie’s reaction to winning the Hynds Creative Entrepreneur 2013 Award was understandably one of excitement.

“I am honest-to-God high-fiving over-the-moon about receiving this award. While it's a blessing and an honour to work in an industry that I love and truly believe in, it's really great to get a bit of a back-slap occasionally, too! I am so thankful to everyone who has helped me get to this point, this really is a back-slap for all of us. The professional esteem this award brings is invaluable and I'll be using the prize money towards a Masters in Arts Management in New York in 2014. I can't wait to return armed with a worldwide perspective and fresh ideas to help our arts community take it to the limit, and beyond.”

Charlie was selected as the Hynds Creative Entrepreneur 2013 by the Judges from a shortlist of successful, entrepreneurial people working in a range of creative areas, who were nominated by their peers. Judge and ART Board Member, Dr Peter Shand says that that his nomination is a reflection of how highly regarded he is by his peers and all those he works with.

“Through his leadership, The Basement has created opportunities and ‘a leg up’ for those emerging in the performing arts. Charlie has done this with the purpose of making the sector not only more vital, but also more sustainable, for everyone,” he says.

Also presented at the ART Awards event on 1 August were places on the ART Venture programme to 12 creative entrepreneurs. The year-long ART Venture programme provides start-up and experienced creative entrepreneurs with a flexible yet intensive action-learning environment that, through peer-to-peer support, specialist coaching, a seed fund pitching process and an innovative curriculum, accelerates the creative enterprise development of each participant. The value to each of the participants is $38,000, which represents the Arts Regional Trust’s commitment to and meaningful investment in Auckland’s creative future.