Media release
ENRICH – CANTERBURY ARTS & BUSINESS ENRICHMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME
A new programme has been established in Christchurch to develop an alternative model of support for the arts and creative industries that is based on the practical giving of skills, expertise and resources, rather than sponsorship.
Enrich - Canterbury Arts and Business Enrichment Partnership Programme has been founded by director Gillian Wess with the support of Creative New Zealand and Christchurch City Council, and founding partners E2 Digital, Harvey Cameron Advertising, DigiWeb and CPIT.
The programme acts as a “match-maker” to facilitate practical giving partnerships between companies and fledgling arts organisations.
Gilllian says that many arts organisations are chasing the same limited sources of philanthropic funding and sponsorship. Enrich does not ask companies for money; instead it invites companies and their employees to gift their skills, resources, expertise, and volunteers to help arts organisations develop and thrive. Enrich promotes longer term, sustainable engagement and partnerships between the arts and business.
Gillian says that Enrich will be assisting small to medium size arts/creative practitioners and emerging leaders who are developing contemporary “new wave” creative works with a social enterprise focus. They are artistically talented, highly trained and innovative, but may lack business know-how. An enrichment partnership with the private sector will provide a practical boost to enable these organisations to operate more successfully.
“Cultural enrichment, engagement, access and partnerships benefit both parties,” says Gillian, as a thriving arts and cultural sector is good for the Christchurch economy and community, particularly with the aim of supporting the city’s recovery.
Enrich acts as a facilitator between arts organisations and companies to identify resources needed and skills available, to introduce prospective parties who could mutually benefit from the partnership, and to then make the match. Enrich will support and monitor the partnerships and showcase success stories. While there are no formal contracts, a clear set of strategic objectives is set when the partnership is formed.
Examples of the kinds of expertise needed by the arts organisations registered with Enrich include governance, legal, finance, strategic and business planning, and marketing. Resources required include office and rehearsal space, IT, materials and event hosting.
Gillian says that Enrich has received significant practical giving support from its founding partners E2 Digital, Harvey Cameron Advertising, DigiWeb and CPIT, demonstrating how effective the Enrich model can be. “The Enrich branding, web site, hosting and digital development have all been generously gifted by the founding partners.”
Gillian says she is keen for companies to encourage their talented young professionals to volunteer for governance roles on the boards of fledgling arts organisations. They will gain governance experience while injecting their valuable skills into the arts. The creative sector will also gain from a new generation of emerging business leaders who understand and appreciate the arts.
Stephen Wainwright, CEO of Creative New Zealand says, “Post-quakes the arts community in Christchurch has been resilient, and highly inventive in finding fresh ways to respond to the circumstances that exist, and new ways of working. Enrich furthers this excellent trend by matching philanthropic giving of skills and time with committed arts enterprises. As a result we expect to see thriving arts practitioners and a more interesting community for Christchurch people to live and work in. We are delighted to be partnering with Christchurch City, the founding partners and the arts community to support this initiative led by founder/Director Gillian Wess.”
Councillor Jamie Gough, who chairs the Christchurch City Council Strategy and Planning Committee, says Enrich will enable the blending of business and organisational skills with creativity, fostering innovation and enhancing the city for residents and visitors.
"The Christchurch arts community has responded dynamically to the challenges of the post-earthquake environment, finding new approaches to doing business in the arts and engaging with the rebuild of the city. Enrich represents a tangible way that arts and business can come together to achieve vibrant outcomes for the city."
Gary Lee, CEO of E2 Digital says, "When Gillian approached E2 DIGITAL about the concept of Enrich, we immediately saw the value such a concept would contribute to the arts and businesses. It is a concept that we feel may fundamentally change the way business and arts organisations interact with each other, so we decided to embrace it."
Companies, arts organisations and individuals that want to know more and to participate in the Enrich programme can register at www.enrichnz.com
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Contact: Gillian Wess
T: 021 284 2440