Long-time Creative New Zealand employee, Steven Wainwright, has been appointed the agency’s CEO. Wainwright joined Creative New Zealand in 1990, was acting Chief Executive earlier this year, and has been Manager of Arts Infrastructure Services since 2002. “Stephen has … impressed all the Council members with his strong future vision for the organisation,” said Arts Council Chair, Christopher Doig. “In his previous positions within Creative New Zealand, Stephen has already demonstrated that he has the intellectual rigour for the position and a well proven passion for, and understanding of, the sector. The Council has great faith that these strengths, coupled with his sound strategic ability and warm personality, will be an ideal combination to provide the strong leadership the Council is seeking to continue, following the excellent work of Elizabeth Kerr.” “I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to be Chief Executive of Creative New Zealand,” declared Wainwright. “The organisation employs a tremendously dedicated group of people, who are committed to achieving great things for the arts of this country, and I am proud to have been given the chance to lead them. “My vision for Creative New Zealand is for it to be a strategic arts development agency which has the trust of all its stakeholders and which focuses its investment on those areas where it can make the most difference for the long term health and success of the New Zealand arts sector,” says Stephen. “To achieve this vision, the organisation will engage in free and frank dialogue with the arts sector regarding our mutual future priorities. Such dialogue will take place in a variety of ways and will include consultation with the sector as Creative New Zealand develops its new strategic plan for the next three years.” For more information, CLICK HERE