In September 2019, The Chartwell Trust was one of the inaugural supporters of New Zealand Arts Month, launched by the New Zealand Arts Foundation as a way to bring arts up on the national agenda and map out Aotearoa's own definition of art. It also acknowledges the arts and creativity as a valuable medium for a greater sense of wellbeing and connectedness in our communities. 

Chair of the Arts Foundation, Garth Gallaway explains: "Art is so often seen as a nice to have. But we have observed a widespread movement valuing the arts, and research from around the world shows that arts and creativity have the power to drive change, whether it’s wellbeing, diversity, inclusion, or strengthening our cultural identity." 

Chartwell Trust Founder, Robert Gardiner says: “Art is creative thinking, giving joy and understanding to all who participate. Let’s tell the world how important that is for New Zealand’s future.”

A month of conversation dedicated to uncovering what arts mean to New Zealanders. Expression, experiences and exploration from Kaitaia to Bluff. 

Online, New Zealanders were asked to post messages about what art meant to them and how art shapes our lives in all our communities. 

In their words, the month long initiative was aimed to give arts and creativity some serious oxygen. Chartwell supported this call to encourage everyone to think about the state of the arts in Aotearoa. The conversation needs to grow from here…

www.thearts.co.nz