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He toi whakaaro, he mana tangata. 
The making of art enriches the wellbeing of us all.

The above whakataukī sums up the core belief at the heart of their planning as the Nelson Arts Festival team is getting ready to bring our community a plethora of unmissable arts experiences this October - a Festival that reflects this very particular moment in time. What is certain and uncertain? 

“One of our biggest learnings from the last two years is to plan for, roll with, and celebrate uncertainty and the creativity that exists there. So while a few things may look different this year, we will as always be focused on our vision to champion the arts, deliver exceptional events and celebrate community and diversity in our region,” says Executive and Artistic Director Lydia Zanetti.
 

After a year of dreaming big and starting high, and once again being reined in by COVID-19, the Festival is starting fresh with an (almost) all new leadership team to create a festival crafted for this moment that creates unmissable arts experiences for, and with, our region. 

Lydia Zanetti (they/them) now sits at the heart of the organisation as Executive & Artistic Director, leading on realising the Trust’s vision and continuing to create programmes to excite, inspire, challenge and connect our community through and with the arts. 
 

Rose McGrannachan (she/her) joins the leadership team as Head of Business & Operations, bringing a huge amount of logistical and event management experience to our festival. Originally from Tairāwhiti, Rose returned home after honing her skills at the likes of Adelaide Festival, Adelaide Film Festival and Dark Mofo, and took on the programme management for the amazing Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival. Rose is a fan of all art forms, particularly when they intersect to create something new, and there is no doubt that in her skilled hands, the Nelson Arts Festival will be able to continue to be an exceptional and necessary part of Whakatū’s arts calendar.
 

Annie Pokel (she/her) is expanding on her marketing role to lead as Head of Creative & Communications, driving the visual arts programme and our engagement with our community, artists and partners. Combining her background in visual arts and her appreciation of different art forms coming together to disrupt, ask questions and inspire, Annie has contributed widely to Whakatū’s arts community over the past four years, from programming central city arts activations and her work as Arts Council Nelson trustee to delivering the inaugural Night Vision event and co-producing Te Ramaroa light festival.

“The Board is elated to have been able to recruit two amazing talents to the Festival leadership team. We were humbled by the quality and quantity of applicants but both Annie and Rose shone through both in the quality of their skills and in their connection with the festival values and Kaupapa,” says our board chair Brent Thawley. “The Festival has a rich history of inspired leadership giving it a strong foundation to spring forward into this next phase of our development and moving forward with our vision to champion the arts in our region.”

The Trust is also welcoming Natalie Gousmett to the team, and proud to have Kerry Sunderland continue her leadership of the Pukapuka Talks programme: 

Natalie Gousmett (she/her) has joined the team as Development Manager to drive the organisation’s fundraising efforts. A specialist in the community sector, Natalie has held various management, fundraising and financial roles with inspiring organisations such as Wellington Rape Crisis, Women's Refuge, The Wilderness Canoe Trust and Cawthron Institute, and will apply her rich skillset to the Festival’s sustainable organisational growth.

Kerry Sunderland (she/her) is returning for her fifth year with the Festival to take on an expanded role as Pukapuka Talks Programme Manager. She will continue to lead the development of our readers and writers events and grow our engagement with Aotearoa’s leading authors, thinkers, spoken word performers and the publishing sector. Kerry plays an integral role in holding space for inspiring voices and was the driving force behind our digital talks and Writing Home offering last year.
 

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Kia tū he hui ahurei e haumako ai ngā tāngata huri i te motu.

A festival of unmissable arts that enriches the people of our region.

The 2022 Nelson Arts Festival will run across 11 days, from 20 - 30 October, with the full programme launching in early August.

For updates, keep an eye on the Nelson Arts Festival website and their social media channels, or sign up to their newsletter.