Hipkins pledges backing for Stage Challenge replacement
Education Minister Chris Hipkins has promised to replace the school cultural event Stage Challenge, and is offering further funding to help make it happen.
Stage Challenge, which started in 1992, was one of the biggest events on the high school calendar, but was scrapped after the foundation in charge said it could no longer afford to fund the competition.
Last month, The Stage Challenge Foundation emailed teachers and sponsors to say the annual event, along with associated event J Rock, would not go ahead in 2018.
In a letter to participating schools, foundation chairman Lester Taylor said: ‘‘The income generated from sponsorship and ticket sales in 2018 will be insufficient to produce the events to a high standard.’’
Many said they were sad to see the event go. More than 500,000 students had participated in the shows in the past 25 years. Last year, 17,000 students took part.
But Hipkins, a former Stage Challenge participant himself, has promised to provide a replacement for Stage Challenge, in order to promote young people engaging in music, dance and drama.
Stage Challenge and J Rock events had showcased the talents of budding musicians, actors and dancers, with financial support from the Ministry of Education, Hipkins said.
But as costs have increased and corporate sponsors and local grants have decreased over the years, organisers, the Stage Challenge Foundation says it can no longer deliver the events in their current form.
‘‘Like many people I thought regional and national activities of this sort were too important to lose. Music, drama and dance are an important part of the curriculum and for many young people are a way of expressing their creativity and building confidence.’’
The Stage Challenge brand could not be replicated but the Government had asked potential providers to put forward expressions of interest to run national and regional opportunities for students to showcase their skills, in order to fill the gap.
It was looking for providers with the capability and experience to deliver services in the production of performing arts activities.
The Stage Challenge Foundation was also invited to put forward a proposal.
The ministry had already allocated $267,000 a year for the next two years. But Hipkins has asked ministry officials to free up more funding this year to give the event the best chance of continuing, given the short timeframe.