Long live the art industry

Art is a creative medium, reflected in numerous ways, throughout the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders. Paintings or prints, weaving, sculpture, pottery, and much more come to life thanks to the artistic endeavours of Kiwis.

Many people, while not actively involved in the arts, support the industry in other ways such as purchasing, funding, and sponsoring artists. In Christchurch, the arts add value not only to the city’s economy, they also brighten its facade, bring visitors here, and enhance the city’s international reputation as an arts destination.

According to a report from ChristchurchNZ, the creative arts sector employed over five and a half thousand people in 2022 and contributed approximately $718 million dollars over the same year.
Across New Zealand, the arts sector contributes almost $10 billion dollars annually to the country’s economy, and Christchurch makes up 7.3% of that annual output. Film and television production is one of New Zealand’s largest export industries, contributing $3.5 billion to the New Zealand economy each year.

Christchurch with its Screen CanterburyNZ initiative, is committed to promoting Canterbury as an ideal location for filming. Government, the business community, and individuals, play their role in funding the arts, and so too can the public. Visiting your local theatre, enjoying live shows, music gigs, local films, and art galleries, will all support this sector.

Other support comes from central and local government through a variety of sources, such as directly or through funding organisations, like the Royal New Zealand Ballet and Te Matatini Society, and via distribution agencies, such as the Arts Council of New Zealand, and the New Zealand Film Commission. They in turn support arts and film projects developed by a range of artists.

Local government is another significant contributor of public support for the arts, through owning galleries, museums, and performing venues.