An innovative project to bring artists back into central Christchurch will be realised thanks to a $443,000 funding boost from Creative New Zealand and The Canterbury Community Trust.

ArtBox, providing gallery and studio spaces for visual artists, and BeatBox, offering rehearsal studios for musicians, will form part of the new Boxed Quarter on the corner of Madras and St Asaph Streets.

‘’Christchurch artists have shown remarkable initiative and innovation post-quake. Supporting them now by providing much-needed exhibition and rehearsal space will also help increase the vitality of the city,’’ says Creative New Zealand’s Chief Executive, Stephen Wainwright. 

ArtBox has been awarded $100,000 from Creative New Zealand and $150,000 from The Canterbury Community Trust. BeatBox will receive $150,000 from Creative New Zealand and $43,000 raised by the Heart Strings project (details below). ArtBox and BeatBox have also received strong support from a wide range of local businesses.

“The Boxed Quarter is an excellent example of how central and local government and the private sector can work together to achieve positive results for the city and its community,’’ Mr Wainwright says.

“Both ArtBox and BeatBox ticked a lot of boxes for us in terms of meeting the criteria of our Events Development Fund,’’ says Tracey Chambers, Chairperson of The Canterbury Community Trust. ‘’We are committed to supporting and partnering with organisations within the arts community that are building events which have a long-term view to enriching our community locally and sending a strong signal to visitors to the city that Christchurch is ‘back in business’.

“By funding these projects, our vision is to work with Government and other funders to restore some cultural vitality back into our city and build on our pre-earthquake reputation as an arts innovator and initiator,” she says.

For the full media release, please see the external link below.

http://www.creativenz.govt.nz/en/news/new-christchurch-arts-venues-get-green-light