The exhibition, titled The Eclectic Collective, bridges the gap between school and career and is a shining example of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s strategy to highlight the importance of the arts to young people in her role as Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage:

“My ambition for the Arts, Culture and Heritage portfolio is threefold – to have an environment where we no longer question the value of the arts, to have young people who consider careers in the arts as viable, and for all communities to have easy access to cultural experiences.”  Press Release, NZ Government, 17 May 2018

The Visual Arts International Baccalaureate (IB) programme is the dual curriculum Takapuna Grammar School uses in conjunction with the NCEA Art programme.

In the Diploma programme (Years 12 and 13) Visual Art students are required as part of the IB assessment to curate their own exhibition at the end of the second year, which they are then assessed on under the category of curatorial practice. Depot Artspace Gallery Curator and practising artist, Robyn Gibson, will give curatorial guidance to the students.

Depot Artspace has a strong history of running successful career-based programmes for emerging creatives and fostering creative projects with young people and schools.

The PACE programme, established in 2001 by Helen Clark, saw Depot support more than 2000 creatives into work:  

“Our personal experience of (Helen Clark’s) commitment was the establishment of PACE (Pathways to Arts and Cultural Employment) in November 2001, a visionary programme which supported artists into employment in their chosen career… We have worked with around 2000 creatives over nearly 18 years, supporting at least 70% into employment. That’s a goodly proportion of talented people contributing to the creative economy along with a $28,000,000 benefit saving to government.”  Linda Blincko, Creative Director, Depot Artspace

Depot Artspace is excited to see the importance of this programme recognised by the current government and greatly supports the reintroduction of PACE:

“It (The Arts, Culture and Heritage portfolio) will look at a 10-year strategy to grow our screen industry, the best ways to re-invigorate the Pathways to Arts and Cultural Employment (PACE) initiative, and how the creative sector can help foster talent and inspire young people through the school curriculum.” says Jacinda Ardern in a press release, May 2018.

Takapuna Grammar School is excited to be collaborating with the Depot Artspace again this year and both would like to welcome visitors to their opening event on Saturday 8 September at 2pm.

The Eclectic Collective will be on display from September 8 - September 26, 2018 in the Main Gallery, Depot Artspace, 28 Clarence St, Devonport.