Newmarket Arts Trust: A brief history (2004–2021)

Abstract

BACKGROUND The Newmarket Arts Trust (NAT) was formed in 2004. The original trustees were a mixture of people involved in the art world –– myself –– Sue Haigh (no relation to the author, local resident and active member of the Newmarket Park Beautification Group) –– Deborah White (owner of Newmarket gallery Whitespace) –– Joy Tongue (owner of Newmarket gallery Studio of Contemporary Art)

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The trust was established by the Newmarket Business Association (NBA) and was tasked with promoting arts, especially public art in the Newmarket area – roughly the area within the boundary of the old Newmarket Borough Council and now the boundary of the NBA. I had been closely involved in establishing the NBA and ensuring that the Newmarket area had a special Mainstreet rate that was devolved by Auckland City Council (ACC) to the NBA. These special rates were essential in funding a regular and substantial part of the costs of future artworks.

NAT is a community organisation registered with the Charities Commission. Its constitution includes the following purposes: –– Promote art and culture in Newmarket –– Establish and support a Newmarket art and culture fund to commission works and promote the arts –– Purchase artworks for public display in Newmarket –– Encourage public art in all new developments and redevelopments in Newmarket –– Encourage artists to set up in the Newmarket community