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{{Short description|Annual arts festival in New Zealand}}
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[[File:AAF 2018 01.jpg|alt=night time shot of silhouetted people milling about big glowing orange red fences|thumb|Auckland Arts Festival venue at [[Wynyard Quarter|Silo Park]] on the waterfront in 2018]]
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{{COI|date=August 2020}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2020}}
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Formerly known as Auckland Festival, '''Auckland Arts Festival''' or {{lang|mi|Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Makaurau}} is an annual arts and cultural festival held in [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]]. The Festival features works from New Zealand, the [[Pacific]], [[Asia]] and beyond, including world premieres of new works and international performing arts events.
Formerly known as Auckland Festival, '''Auckland Arts Festival''' or {{lang|mi|Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Makaurau}} is an annual arts and cultural festival held in [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]]. The Festival features works from New Zealand, the [[Pacific]], [[Asia]] and beyond, including world premieres of new works and international performing arts events.


==History==
==History==
The first Auckland Festival of the Arts was held in 1953, after four annual music festivals were held from 1949 to 1952. A bigger festival was planned due to the coronation of [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]]. The festival continued annually until the 1980s and the last one was held in 1982.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hill|first=Marguerite|date=5 Aug 2016|title=Celebrations and centenaries, 1930s to 1950s|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/arts-festivals/page-2|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004013621/http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/arts-festivals/page-2 |archive-date=2015-10-04 |access-date=2021-02-02|website=Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand|publisher=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Taonga|language=en}}</ref> In September 2003 the inaugural event of the "new" Auckland Festival took place.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Festival history - Auckland Arts Festival|url=https://www.aaf.co.nz/about/festival-history|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203043201/https://www.aaf.co.nz/about/festival-history |archive-date=2020-12-03 |access-date=2021-02-02|website=Auckland Arts Festival}}</ref> Subsequently, the dates were moved to March and festivals were held in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015 before becoming annual in March 2016. In 2020 most of the festival's shows had to be cancelled as a result of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand|COVID-19 pandemic]]. However, four concerts by the [[Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra]] were streamed live online.<ref>{{cite news |title=Coronavirus cancellations guide: So Pop, Anzac Day services, and much of Auckland Arts Festival cancelled |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120259506/coronavirus-guide-to-events-cancelled-over-the-pandemic |access-date=29 August 2021 |work=Stuff.co.nz |date=14 March 2020}}</ref>
Auckland was the first city in the Asia Pacific to have a large festival, which it hosted from 1948 to 1982. Almost 20 years later, in 2000, Auckland City Council reinvented the festival, based on the premise that Auckland is a rich, dynamic, and diverse city. [[Auckland City Council]] voted to support the establishment of a unique arts and cultural festival for Auckland celebrating its position in the Pacific.<ref name="Without art, what is your city?">{{cite web
| title = Without art, what is your city?
| work = Interview with David Malacari
| publisher = The Big Idea Web
| year = 2007
| url = http://www.thebigidea.co.nz/article.php?sid=4010&mode=&order=0
| accessdate = 2008-05-15}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}
</ref> AK03, the inaugural event of the “new” Auckland Festival, opened on 20 September 2003. Subsequently the dates were moved to March and festivals were held in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015 before going annual in March 2016. The 13th Auckland Arts Festival will take place 3-21 March 2021.<ref name="Shona McCullagh in conversation with Indira Stewart">{{cite web
| title = Shona McCullagh in conversation with Indira Stewart
| work = First Up
| publisher = Radio New Zealand National
| year = 2020
| url = https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/first-up/audio/2018747183/auckland-arts-festival-looking-for-all-creative-ideas-for-2021
| accessdate = 2020-05-20}}</ref> [[Shona McCullagh]] is the artistic director from 2021 - 2024 taking over from Jonathan Bielski.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Christian|first=Dionne|date=2019-11-27|title=Auckland Arts Festival names new head|language=en-NZ|work=NZ Herald|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=12288872|url-status=live|access-date=2020-09-20|issn=1170-0777}}</ref>


The 13th Auckland Arts Festival took place from 3 to 21 March 2021, although some events had to be cancelled as a result of Auckland entering into a [[COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand|lockdown in late February]].<ref name="Shona McCullagh in conversation with Indira Stewart">{{cite web | title = Shona McCullagh in conversation with Indira Stewart | work = First Up | publisher = Radio New Zealand National | year = 2020| url = https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/first-up/audio/2018747183/auckland-arts-festival-looking-for-all-creative-ideas-for-2021 | accessdate = 2020-05-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=AAF 2021 Shows Status Update on 16 March 2021 |url=https://www.aucklandlive.co.nz/auckland-arts-festival-2021-covid-19-response |website=Auckland Live |access-date=29 August 2021}}</ref> [[Shona McCullagh]] became the artistic director from 2021 onwards, taking over from Jonathan Bielski.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Christian|first=Dionne|date=2019-11-27|title=Auckland Arts Festival names new head|language=en-NZ|work=NZ Herald|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=12288872|access-date=2020-09-20|issn=1170-0777}}</ref>
⚫
The Festival is run by an independent not for profit trust, the Auckland Festival Trust. It is principally funded by Auckland City.<ref name="Auckland City">

⚫
The Festival is run by an independent not-for-profit trust, the Auckland Festival Trust. It is principally funded by [[Auckland City Council]].<ref name="Auckland City">
{{cite web|year=2007|title=Auckland Festival|url=http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/whatson/events/ak09/default.asp|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516124445/http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/whatson/events/ak09/default.asp|archivedate=16 May 2008|accessdate=2008-05-15|publisher=Auckland City}}
{{cite web|year=2007|title=Auckland Festival|url=http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/whatson/events/ak09/default.asp|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516124445/http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/whatson/events/ak09/default.asp|archivedate=16 May 2008|accessdate=2008-05-15|publisher=Auckland City}}
</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Russell|first=Alexia|date=2017-09-19|title=Auckland Arts Festival future secured|url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/page/arts-festival-future-looks-bright|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-02|website=Newsroom|language=en-AU}}</ref>
</ref>


== Programme ==
== Programme ==
The festivals main objectives are to engage Aucklanders in the arts, to support New Zealand art and artists, and to reflect what is unique about Auckland.<ref name="About Us?">{{cite web|title=About Us |publisher=Auckland Festival 2007 |year=2007 |url=http://www.aucklandfestival.co.nz/AboutUs/TheFestival/ |accessdate=2008-05-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070720222937/http://www.aucklandfestival.co.nz/AboutUs/TheFestival/ |archivedate=July 20, 2007 }}</ref> Its program features many events including [[dance]], [[music]], [[cabaret]], [[burlesque]], [[theatre]], [[ballet]], [[visual arts]], [[film]], and public forums, occupying most of Auckland's theatres, galleries and concert halls.
The festival's main objectives are to engage Aucklanders in the arts, to support New Zealand art and artists, and to reflect what is unique about Auckland.<ref name="About Us?">{{cite web|title=About Us |publisher=Auckland Festival 2007 |year=2007 |url=http://www.aucklandfestival.co.nz/AboutUs/TheFestival/ |accessdate=2008-05-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070720222937/http://www.aucklandfestival.co.nz/AboutUs/TheFestival/ |archivedate=July 20, 2007 }}</ref> Its program features many events including [[dance]], [[music]], [[cabaret]], [[burlesque]], [[theatre]], [[ballet]], [[visual arts]], [[film]], and public forums, occupying most of Auckland's theatres, galleries and concert halls.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

In 2007 a dedicated music and cabaret environment ''Red Square'' was created to serve as a hub where artists and public gather during the festival. In 2011 it was re-branded as the ''Festival Garden'' and a new program element, ''White Night'', modeled on Europe's [[Nuit Blanche|''Nuit Blanche'']] events, a first for Australasia.

The 2013 Auckland Arts Festival was the most successful festival to date achieving record attendances and more than doubling the box office income. It featured more than 300 events and over 1000 artists participated including three national theatre companies. There were 63 sold out performances. Highlights included Group F's ''Breath of the Volcano'', ''Urban'' (Circolumbia), ''Everything is Ka Pai'', ''War Requiem'' (with the APO), ''One Man, Two Guvnors'' ([[National Theatre of Great Britain]]), ''The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart'' ([[National Theatre of Scotland]]) and ''[[Rhinoceros in Love]]'' ([[National Theatre Company of China]]). A new Māori work ''HUI'' by Mitch Tawhi Thomas premiered alongside the re-staging of the Pacific musical ''The Factory'' by Kila Kokonut Krew. Audiences were again welcomed over 19 days to the Festival Garden in [[Aotea Square]], including the Festival Club (Spiegeltent), Tiffany Singh's ''Fly Me Up to Where You Are'' which she created with 4,000 Auckland children, and Srinivas Krishna's video artwork ''When the Gods Came Down to Earth'', as well as free music and family days. ''White Night'' took place throughout Auckland City with 83 galleries, museums and other locations opening their doors to more than 20,000 attendees.

In May 2014, [[Auckland Council]] voted unanimously in support of a trial annual festival as part of its budget meeting. The Council voted to provide for additional funding to the Festival for a trial annual festival in 2016.

The 2015 Auckland Arts Festival was 19 days long featuring more than 900 artists from 33 countries. There were 145 ticketed performances and 208 free exhibitions and events in 86 locations across the city. Eorks were presented through the Auckland region including Leigh, Papakura, Titirangi and Howick, and reached 180,000 people.

In March 2016, 1160 artists from 41 countries came to be in the festival again over 19 days and at more than 100 locations, presenting 125 ticketed performances across 35 shows, 200 free events, four world premieres, four season premieres and 15 New Zealand premieres.

Between 8 and 26 March 2017, AAF 2017 presented 132 ticketed performances, 300 free events, and seven world premieres, across 130 venues and locations across Auckland.

AAF 2018 took place 7-25 March and featured a pre-festival season of English National Ballet's production of [[Akram Khan (dancer)|Akram Khan's]] ''Giselle''. A feature of the 2018 Festival to mark the 10th anniversary of the festival was the ''Festival Playground'' at Silo Park. The ''Festival Playground'' ran for the duration of the festival and was visited by 60,000 people with ticketed and free music concerts, visual arts, and a food and drinks pavilion.

Auckland Arts Festival 2019 took place 7-24 March and included the return of the Spiegeltent to Aotea Square with cabaret show Blanc de Blanc. The 2019 Festival saw the introduction of a new programme strand - Toitū te Reo. Translating as holding fast to our language, this signalled AAF's desire to champion [[Māori language]] through the platform of the arts with a goal that it be seen, heard and felt every day of the Festival. The Festival opened with ''Tira'', a free concert in [[Aotea Square]] attended by approximately 2000 people and live-streamed on AAF's website and Facebook page reaching a further 6000 people. The concert saw people sing iconic waiata together in te reo Māori. The festival also included Komische Oper Berlin and 1927's production of ''The Magic Flute'', a new dance work from Muscle Mouth, ''As It Stands'', theatre Ulster American, physical theatre The Dreamer, the [[The Silk Road Ensemble|Silkroad Ensemble]], and a contemporary music programme including Death Cab for Cutie, Four Tet, Beach house, Rhye and Neko Case. Halfway through the 2019 Festival, 51 people were killed in the Christchurch mosque shootings. As a result, Whānau Day was cancelled.


The festival programme features international acts and the Auckland Festival Trust also commission up to six new works each year. In 2017, they presented the new opera ''The Bone Feeder'' at the ASB Waterfront Theatre with music by [[Gareth Farr]], based on a book by [[Renee Liang|Renee Laing]].<ref name=":0" /> In 2021 the festival programme was greatly affected by travel restrictions because of COVID-19. The programme of 70-plus events were therefore all from New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-12-06|title=Auckland Arts Festival - coping with Covid|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/standing-room-only/audio/2018775907/auckland-arts-festival-coping-with-covid|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206211148/https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/standing-room-only/audio/2018775907/auckland-arts-festival-coping-with-covid |archive-date=2020-12-06 |access-date=2021-02-02|website=Radio New Zealand|language=en-nz}}</ref>
AAF 2020 was scheduled to take place 11-29 March, however was seriously impacted by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) global pandemic. In late February air cargo issues as a result of cancellation of flights resulted in the cancellation of the major outdoor event ''Place Des Anges''. The Festival opened as planned on Wednesday 11 March with TIRA in Aotea Square featuring Hollie Smith, Hātea Kapa Haka and the six Auckland Everybody Sings choirs and was attended by 2000 people, and reaching a further 7000 people online. From Saturday 14 March, the New Zealand Government imposed border controls and limits on mass gatherings which saw the cancellation of a number of shows. On Thursday 18 March further restrictions limiting indoor gatherings to 100 people resulted in the cancellation of the rest of the Festival. New Zealand entered full lockdown on Thursday 25 March. Highlights of the eight days of the Festival which took place 11-17 March included: Ballet Preljocaj's ''Snow White'', the trans-Tasman rom-com ''BLACK TIES'' from ILBIJERRI Theatre Company and Te Rēhia Theatre Company, ''Cold Blood'', Los Angeles Master Chorale's performance of ''Lagrime di San Pietro'', circus-cabaret ''Limbo Unhinged'', Silo Theatre's ''UPU'', and the world premiere of ''Ka Pō, Ka Waiata: Songs in Darkness''.


==Festival Directors==
==Festival Directors==
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|-
|-
| 2002
| 2002
| Mike Mizrahi & Marie Adams<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 February 2002|title=Auckland Festival a challenge|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/auckland-festival-a-challenge/UPHATUBL5QJYR5OVTOC5RTKSGM/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-02|website=NZ Herald|language=en-NZ|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206223144/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/auckland-festival-a-challenge/UPHATUBL5QJYR5OVTOC5RTKSGM/ |archive-date=2021-02-06 }}</ref>
| Mike Mizrahi & Marie Adams
|-
|-
| 2003–2004
| 2003-2004
|[[Simon Prast]]
|[[Simon Prast]]
|-
|-
| 2005–2011
| 2005-2011
| David Malacari
| David Malacari
|-
|-
| 2011-2017
| 2013–2017
| [[Carla Van Zon]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Carla van Zon|url=https://nzdc.org.nz/our-team/carla-van-zon|access-date=2021-06-05|website=nzdc.org.nz|language=en-NZ}}</ref>
| Carla van Zon
|-
|-
|2018–2020
|2018-2020
| Jonathan Bielski
| Jonathan Bielski
|-
|-
|2021–
|2021-
|[[Shona McCullagh]] [MNZM]
|[[Shona McCullagh]] [MNZM]
|}
|}
Festival staff include chief executive David Inns who started in 2009 working previously at the [[New Zealand Festival of the Arts|New Zealand Festival]] in Wellington. Inns was also instrumental in the annual music festival [[World of Music, Arts and Dance|WOMAD]] being in [[Taranaki]], and was the director of the [[Taranaki Arts Festival]] from 1998 to 2002.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Twelve Questions with Auckland Arts Festival chief executive David Inns|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/twelve-questions-with-auckland-arts-festival-chief-executive-david-inns/QY3AB2RMKRFB7IIJ3LMDN2L574/|access-date=2021-02-02|website=NZ Herald|language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-12-20|title=Festival head seeks to wow|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/east-bays-courier/8099704/Festival-head-seeks-to-wow|access-date=2021-02-02|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-01-31|title=Auckland arts job for Inns|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/742890/Auckland-arts-job-for-Inns|access-date=2021-02-02|website=Stuff|language=en}}</ref> Robbie Macrae commenced as Chief Executive in August 2022.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 23:12, 27 September 2023

night time shot of silhouetted people milling about big glowing orange red fences
Auckland Arts Festival venue at Silo Park on the waterfront in 2018

Formerly known as Auckland Festival, Auckland Arts Festival or Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Makaurau is an annual arts and cultural festival held in Auckland, New Zealand. The Festival features works from New Zealand, the Pacific, Asia and beyond, including world premieres of new works and international performing arts events.

History

The first Auckland Festival of the Arts was held in 1953, after four annual music festivals were held from 1949 to 1952. A bigger festival was planned due to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The festival continued annually until the 1980s and the last one was held in 1982.[1] In September 2003 the inaugural event of the "new" Auckland Festival took place.[2] Subsequently, the dates were moved to March and festivals were held in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015 before becoming annual in March 2016. In 2020 most of the festival's shows had to be cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, four concerts by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra were streamed live online.[3]

The 13th Auckland Arts Festival took place from 3 to 21 March 2021, although some events had to be cancelled as a result of Auckland entering into a lockdown in late February.[4][5] Shona McCullagh became the artistic director from 2021 onwards, taking over from Jonathan Bielski.[6]

The Festival is run by an independent not-for-profit trust, the Auckland Festival Trust. It is principally funded by Auckland City Council.[7][8]

Programme

The festival's main objectives are to engage Aucklanders in the arts, to support New Zealand art and artists, and to reflect what is unique about Auckland.[9] Its program features many events including dance, music, cabaret, burlesque, theatre, ballet, visual arts, film, and public forums, occupying most of Auckland's theatres, galleries and concert halls.[citation needed]

The festival programme features international acts and the Auckland Festival Trust also commission up to six new works each year. In 2017, they presented the new opera The Bone Feeder at the ASB Waterfront Theatre with music by Gareth Farr, based on a book by Renee Laing.[10] In 2021 the festival programme was greatly affected by travel restrictions because of COVID-19. The programme of 70-plus events were therefore all from New Zealand.[11]

Festival Directors

Year Artistic Director
2002 Mike Mizrahi & Marie Adams[12]
2003–2004 Simon Prast
2005–2011 David Malacari
2013–2017 Carla Van Zon[13]
2018–2020 Jonathan Bielski
2021– Shona McCullagh [MNZM]

Festival staff include chief executive David Inns who started in 2009 working previously at the New Zealand Festival in Wellington. Inns was also instrumental in the annual music festival WOMAD being in Taranaki, and was the director of the Taranaki Arts Festival from 1998 to 2002.[10][14][15] Robbie Macrae commenced as Chief Executive in August 2022.

References

  1. ^ Hill, Marguerite (5 Aug 2016). "Celebrations and centenaries, 1930s to 1950s". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu Taonga. Archived from the original on 2015-10-04. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  2. ^ "Festival history - Auckland Arts Festival". Auckland Arts Festival. Archived from the original on 2020-12-03. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  3. ^ "Coronavirus cancellations guide: So Pop, Anzac Day services, and much of Auckland Arts Festival cancelled". Stuff.co.nz. 14 March 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Shona McCullagh in conversation with Indira Stewart". First Up. Radio New Zealand National. 2020. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  5. ^ "AAF 2021 Shows Status Update on 16 March 2021". Auckland Live. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  6. ^ Christian, Dionne (2019-11-27). "Auckland Arts Festival names new head". NZ Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  7. ^ "Auckland Festival". Auckland City. 2007. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  8. ^ Russell, Alexia (2017-09-19). "Auckland Arts Festival future secured". Newsroom. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  9. ^ "About Us". Auckland Festival 2007. 2007. Archived from the original on July 20, 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  10. ^ a b "Twelve Questions with Auckland Arts Festival chief executive David Inns". NZ Herald. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  11. ^ "Auckland Arts Festival - coping with Covid". Radio New Zealand. 2020-12-06. Archived from the original on 2020-12-06. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  12. ^ "Auckland Festival a challenge". NZ Herald. 3 February 2002. Archived from the original on 2021-02-06. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  13. ^ "Carla van Zon". nzdc.org.nz. Retrieved 2021-06-05.
  14. ^ "Festival head seeks to wow". Stuff. 2012-12-20. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  15. ^ "Auckland arts job for Inns". Stuff. 2009-01-31. Retrieved 2021-02-02.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Auckland_Arts_Festival&oldid=1177525503"