Art Week Auckland is well and truly underway, with events showcasing the city's vibrant art scene on until October 23.

In this week's TBI Q&A we hear from Deborah White, director of Whitespace and trustee for NZ Contemporary Art Trust, delivering Art Week Auckland and Auckland Art Fair.

Art Week Auckland includes exhibitions, artists talks, performances, late nights at galleries, guided art tours, art speed dating, art cycle tours, kids art club, and rare private collection viewings.

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?

6-9am.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?

Relaxed.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?

Great partnerships.

How does your environment affect your work?

It inspires and drives me to work harder for the artists I represent.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?

Always the big picture.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?

Having a sense of humour and enjoying good wine.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?

Taking the first and only exhibition of Pacific art to the Melbourne art fair in 2008.

Who or what has inspired you recently?

The resilience of the senior artists I work with.

Tell us a bit about your background.

State ward to art dealer – too much to put here.

Tell us a bit about Art Week Auckland.

The event aims to draw visitors to discover and enjoy all the fantastic visual art experiences we have in Auckland and hopefully continue to visit their favourite places during the year.

How has the Rugby World Cup helped or hindered it?

We have had a number of visitors on tours who are here for RWC, but harder to get media focus during this busy time.

What combination of people and resources are involved in putting it on?

One paid coordinator and the rest volunteers.

What’s different about this year?

We have included West, South and North Shore experiences and increased social media use eg Foursquare, Twitter, Facebook. Also added extra functions to our website.

What are some of your personal highlights from the programme?

Southern Express, Speed dating, Mollies high tea, Artfeast @ whitespace and lots more.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?

Forensic scientist.

What place is always with you, wherever you go?

Auckland, I love the city and environs, as much as I love travelling its always a great place to come home too.

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?

I’m not an ipod fan, so cd’s on my stereo- also love listening to loud music in my car.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?

A puppet.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?

A good bottle of chardonnay.

What’s your big idea for 2012?

Not to have as many big ideas as we have had in 2011.

• The Big Idea 10th Birthday Questions

What does The Big Idea mean to you?

A great source of information on the creative community and opportunities for artists.

What changes have you noticed in the creative sector in the past 10 years?

An increase in professional standards, better marketing and starting to get communication across different sectors.

What are some of the opportunities and challenges for the next decade?

To build on our excellent international profile in a way that brings real financial benefits to the creative sector here.

To develop collaborative ventures for international audiences.