Getting on Board: A governance resource guide for arts organisations

CreativeNZ - Toi Aotearoa,
01 January 2014, New Zealand

In a positive sense there is an appreciation of the value of the arts not only to the enhancement of the quality of life in New Zealand, but also to the expression of a unique national identity and spirit. 

Public and practitioner expectations of artistic achievement, both domestically and internationally, are ever increasing. Less positively, increasingly diverse and high-quality artistic initiatives in New Zealand compete for support from the public, patrons, sponsors and the Government which, in financial terms at least, is inherently limited. Arts organisations often seem to be locked in a never-ending struggle to maintain financial solvency, a problem by no means confined to New Zealand. There is no guaranteed future – even for iconic producers of creative endeavour.

Therefore, every organisation created and maintained for the purpose of supporting serious artisticachievement must continuously look for increases in efficiency and effectiveness. Not only must the artists attain the highest possible standards of creative achievement, but those who support the development and delivery of artistic excellence, like management and the boardof directors, must be equally effective in their contribution.

http://www.creativenz.govt.nz/en/arts-development-and-resources/research-and-arts-sector-resources/getting-on-board-a-governance-resource-for-arts-organisations