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Hi there,
Thank you for your membership support of the New Theatre Initiative
during our inaugural year of 2000. It has been a fantastic year with
a membership resulting in 156 paid members.
Business of NTI during 2000-20001 has included the following:
March and May NTI Creative and Professional Development workshops,
where 8 industry workshops were held and were very well received.
The NTiI Executive is currently writing a business case and proposal
for submission to Auckland City Council to develop the Garage Site behind
the Town Hall into a 350 seat flexiform theatre for Auckland City. The
Meeting notes attached from the AGM held on 25 June outline these initiatives
in more detail.
As part of the business proposal we would like to advise an increase
in membership numbers. It is very important for NTi to show Auckland
City Council that this theatre is supported and valued by arts practitioners.
NTI membership is a clear indication of your support. You will find
membership forms attached which we hope you will fill out and encourage
your friends, colleagues and industry associates to also complete (please
feel free to photocopy the form). It is $20 again to join NTI in 2001,
please make cheques payable to The New Theatre Initiative and post to
PO Box 8961, Symonds Street. Your generosity in the form of a donation
will also be gladly accepted.
Your speedy response to membership application will result in your
support being included in the business plan as part of assessed industry
interest to date. With this in mind, if possible please return forms
and cheques by Friday 6 August. If you have any questions, please do
not hesitate to contact Heather Lee.
At the recent AGM (see Minutes below) you elected a new executive
team. One of the executive, Tracey McGuire will now be coordinating
all correspondence to members. In order for Tracey to compile a current
database of members please ensure that your email address is printed
clearly and specify a preference on how you would like correspondence
to be sent out to you. We hope to keep you more abreast of NTI news
over 2001, and in particular, hope that the Garage Site could be our
next theatre in Auckland. Kind regards
Yours sincerely
NTI Executive
MINUTES OF AGM
AGM
Monday 25 June 2001 The Leys Institute, St Mary's Bay
Present: 60 members and Friends of NTI
Chairman's Report, Andrew Caisley
Minutes from the Last AGM, 2001 Classic Comedy Venue accounted
as true and correct. Advised that all goals set over the last year were
achieved. NTI had a current membership of 156 Development workshops
were held in March and May this year for eight groups and involved 60
participants. NTI will repeat this initiative in 2001/2002. The Town
Hall Garage, Café Ricca Site and Pigeons Building are currently being
considered by NTI for a potential 350 flexiform seat venue and the Executive
is developing a business proposal on this site for Auckland City Council.
A decision should be made by Auckland City Council by
October 2001 as to whether or not they will give this site for development.
Nominations for Executive.
There are 14 places on the Executive with six places changing between
2000 and 2001. Thanks to outgoing members. Peta Rutter, Carl Bland,
Chris Jannides, Craig Anderson, Peter Elliott, Danielle Cormack, Gary
Gunning and Stephen Bradshaw Exec Members and those actively involved
in the management of NTI Exec over the last year.
Exec Members nominated and continuing confirmed in 2001/2002
are as follows: Andrew Caisley, Chairman
Fiona Mogridge, Treasurer
Heather Lee, Secretary
Ian Hughes, Mark Clare, Stephanie Rigold, Raewyn Whyte, Marianne Schumacher,
Justin Lewis, Ben Crowder, John Hanna, Mika, Arne Herrmann, Tracey McGuire
Treasurers Report $150 currently in the bank.
Plans for the Garage Pip Cheshire of Jasmax talked
through the building and architectural plans of the Garage/Ricca site.
Confirmed that we would need also to use the Pigeons Building for access
from Queen Street and provide space required for a bar and café.
Confirmed that the venue was possibly able to seat up
to 420 in the round and possibly up to 517 in Traverse.
Confirmed that these are still working plans. Thanked
John Verryt and Steven Ulrich for their input into these plans and developments.
Exec thanked Jasmax for all the pro rata work they have
done on the Garage Site and also thanked Roger Hall for his assistance
in the Auckland City Council meeting in October 2000 where agreement
was given to NTI for a business plan on development of the Garage Site.
Aims of NTI To provide a world class flexible and
affordable mid sized performance space for Auckland that promotes New
Zealand excellence.
Theatre will compliment the existing venues to support
a performing arts community and strengthen the Aotea Arts Precinct.
Vision Innovation and New Zealand Excellence Aim
for accessible prices for audiences and artists A welcoming physical
and social space Sound good governance and management structures.
Programming Policy The current idea is that the
theatre will be programmed by a CEO. The CEO may well appoint a programming
subcommittee so that programming decisions are not made by one person
only. There will be a flexible approach to programming that will include
a range of companies and artforms. The theatre will produce some work
(around 4 shows per year) which may be co-productions.
Arts Development Policy There will be a dedicated
Arts Development Officer who will work to assist in the development
of works and art forms. They will also assist companies and individuals
with the development of business and arts.
Questions from the Meeting
Q. Have you looked at a partnership with the Edge
A. Yes and they are interested in looking at shared ticketing
services and see a need for a venue in the area that will be between
the Herald and the ASB.
Q. Is the pricing going to be realistic.
A. . We need to be realistic and look at a pricing structure
that is competitive with other venues in town and the objective of doing
the business plan for Council is to define exactly these costs and rentals.
There will be a policy in programming that is flexible
and takes into consideration that not all companies can individually
meet these costs or pull an audience of 300. It is probable that a double
share of the space (two companies working in half the space each to
150 seats) plus umbrella festivals incorporating an increased number
of shows may be the way to grow accessibility to the theatre and audiences
for developing companies and artists.
Governance Plan NTI is currently looking at a structure
that involves a Garage Trust at the top of the organization. This trust
will appoint the Directors for The Garage Ltd which will manage the
venue, core business and oversee in house productions. The Garage Ltd
will apply for charitable status. The Directors of The Garage Ltd will
appoint a CEO and this person in turn will employ the staff to run the
Garage. It is estimated that The Garage will produce up to 4 shows in
the first four to five years. These shows will each be mounted as a
separate legal entity.
Garage Trust This Trust will have 8 trustees made up of
a combination of the following organisations:
3 Key Stakeholders (three representatives of the major
users of this theatre) 2 Auckland City Council. 1 Tangata Whenua 2 Friends
of the Garage. (this group will probably be formed from NTI membership)
It is probable that between the 3 key stakeholders and
2 friends of the garage that there will be a good industry representation
on the Trust.
The Garage Trust will set the criteria for the skills
needed on the Board of Directors for The Garage Ltd and then interview
and appoint these persons.
This model has been workshopped with Graham Nahkies from
Boardworks International and NTI Executive would like to thank him for
his time and enthusiasm for the project.
Time Line from Now
25 June AGM
27 July Draft Business Plan to Ernst & Young
3 September Report on The Garage Distributed to City Attractions Committee
17 September City Attractions Meeting for initial approval
02 February 2002 Full Council Approval
Fundraising begins by NTI
2003 Opening Night
In conclusion
The NTI Executive over the last year has achieved many
results. They would like to thank all those persons who have contributed
to the report writing, membership drive, administration and workshops.
They welcome the new executive members and ask that industry
persons renew their membership in 2001/2002 as it is imperative to the
success of this project that Council see the support from within the
industry for this theatre.
The meeting concluded at 9pm and everyone adjourned to
the Cavalier Tavern for a pint.
The New Theatre Initiative
P O Box 7263 Wellesley Street
305 Queen Street
Auckland
Ph: 09 309 8324
Fax: 09 302 5272
info@nti.org.nz
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