ASB Community Trust has recently developed an arts pilot programme to support emerging artists.

The programme was developed after a review of the arts sector, when the Trust saw that emerging artists needed help to establish themselves in the industry. As a result, it approached three leading arts organisations, all with considerable experience and knowledge of working in the arts sector, and asked them to be partners in designing a programme.

“For the Trust, this is a new way of working,” says Arts & Culture Grants Advisor Catherine George. “It will help us learn what works in delivering support for emerging artists.  We are also keen to share what is learned, to ensure that the collective knowledge of the sector is increased.”

Partnerships have been set up with The Depot Artspace, Silo Theatre and Artists Alliance. The Trust provides funding for the three groups, which then offer a range of internships and production cost grants for young emerging artists.

“The Depot, for example, is running a professional development programme for emerging artists,” says Catherine. “The project is multi-disciplinary and open to artists within the first five years of their practice.”

The first five interns are working as a recording studio assistant, a graphic designer, gallery administrators and as a film production intern.

Silo Theatre, in association with the Auckland Theatre Company and NBR New Zealand Opera, has apprenticeships in place for six emerging practitioners. The six paid apprentices are working in technical areas where gaps have been identified, including lighting and set design, production and stage management.    
 
Meanwhile, at Artists Alliance, 10 people are signed up to the mentoring programme and seven interns are working with partner organisations for six months.

The projects will provide new practitioners with learning opportunities, giving them experience in arts employment as well as professional training and guidance in their area of interest.