Wellington brings the intensity
I think people are used to going out, they are used to participating in the arts in a big way. It’s something I think is just culturally embedded in Wellington. Drew James – artistic director of the CubaDupa festival
Wellington’s got intensity. So much creativity is crammed into its small downtown area. You can walk to just about everything – if you like walking, that is. And there’s a good chance of striking up a conversation with someone who actually cares about the arts and culture.
Drew James is passionate. He’s artistic director of the CubaDupa festival, and senior producer with Tour-Makers, which tours medium to large-scale New Zealand shows around the country.
‘‘I think it’s a kind of ecosystem in Wellington that just works really well right through from people studying, to people working professionally, to audiences who see and experience the work,’’ James says.
‘‘There’s just a vibrancy the arts give to Wellington, and always have.’’
Wellington’s cultural precinct makes it easy for people to get to different venues.
‘‘As a festival city Wellington has always worked really well. You’ve got that link to the waterfront, it just provides accessibility for people.
‘‘People living in the city, which is increasing in Wellington, just being able to walk outside your door and go down the road to the theatre, or participate in a workshop or dance studio. You have the ability to do that without jumping into your car,’’ he says.
‘‘I think people are used to going out, they are used to participating in the arts in a big way. It’s something I think is just culturally embedded in Wellington.
‘‘There is absolutely no doubt people come to Wellington and enjoy the city because of its cultural heart.’’
Opportunities for studying the creative arts in Wellington include Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School, the New Zealand School of Dance, and Te Auaha: NZ Institute of Creativity where Whitireia and WelTec polytechnics were bringing their creative programmes together in the heart of Wellington.
‘‘That’s an extraordinary development,’’ James says.
Victoria and Massey universities also have strong arts programmes.
‘‘There’s an extraordinary amount of energy in Wellington from that point of view.’’
The Royal New Zealand Ballet is based in Wellington, as is the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Circa and BATS – where building renovations in 2014 ‘‘really pushed it to another level’’ – were well-established on the theatre scene. WOW, the World of Wearable Art, was an important part of the mix.
Celebrations include the NZ Festival held every two years, the Wellington Jazz Festival, the NZ Fringe Festival – ‘‘that provides great opportunity for work that’s cutting edge but also which can platform into more mainstream.’’
‘‘Of course there’s CubaDupa. It’s a massive free arts festival in the street.’’