Report sparks calls to revamp venues
The state of the capital’s venues has been laid bare in a new report, which says continuing to operate Shed 6 and the Opera House is not viable.
The report was met with calls from arts sector representatives to ‘‘think big’’, with some saying it creates a framework for authorities to start seriously investing in significant cultural infrastructure for the city.
The report, obtained by Stuff, was commissioned by economic development agency WellingtonNZ in 2019. However, it was only presented to a handful of Wellington city councillors at a briefing on Tuesday.
It was compiled by international research company Gemba, and investigated whether
Wellington’s venues, particularly the Opera House, Michael Fowler Centre, TSB Arena and Shed 6, were suitable for the coming decades. Thomas de Mallet Burgess, general director of New Zealand Opera, said authorities needed to invest in culture and cultural infrastructure. Discussion about what was working, and how authorities could redevelop or repurpose venues, was both ‘‘important and valid’’.
The report found that the Opera House suffered from under-investment. However, de Mallet Burgess said it was needed by New Zealand Opera for certain productions, including chamber productions.
Properly investing in infrastructure required smart architects and committed city councillors, he said.
Lester McGrath, executive director of the Royal New Zealand
Ballet, said an upgrade of the Opera House made sense. The theatre was in ‘‘very poor condition’’.
‘‘If it was configured for more flexible use, it would have greater utilisation and attract audiences that aren’t well-served currently,’’ McGrath said.
Warrick Dent, general manager for events at WellingtonNZ, said the report would highlight to the council the opportunities it had to invest in venues that better serviced the community.