May 25, 2007

PROMOTING NEW ZEALAND PERFORMING ARTS TO THE WORLD   

Creative New Zealand is leading a team of producers and agents to attend a major international market for the performing arts of the Asia Pacific region.

The Asian Arts Mart, in Singapore from 31 May – 4 June, provides an opportunity for presenting and selling New Zealand performing arts and to make connections with the arts industry of Asia and the world.

The New Zealand delegation includes Derek Simpson, producer for The Conch, and Vula; Stephen Blackburn, National Childrens Theatre Manager; John Ballard, Maxima Artists Management Ltd; Carla Van Zon ONZM; and Tanemahuta Gray, Artistic Director of Maui: One Man Against the Gods.

The delegation will build on the profile and success of the New Zealand presence at previous Asian Arts Marts, which are held every two years. In 2005 Creative New Zealand supported a showcase of Indian Ink Theatre Company’s The Candlestick Maker which as a result went on to complete several successful seasons in Singapore and Australia.

Indian Ink producer Justin Lewis said the company’s experience of the Asian Arts Mart was enormously positive.

"We generated sales to Singapore and Melbourne directly from the market and formed relationships that have led to sales in Adelaide and Brisbane. Over time some of the seeds planted at the market will lead to other seasons in places as diverse as India, Hong Kong, Europe and North America," Justin Lewis said.

"Sales come from a long term relationship with people and one of the delights of the market was the opportunity to build those relationships face to face and to discover a significant market where we hadn’t seen it – Asia."

This year, the delegation will represent a wide range of New Zealand productions that are export ready and looking for international opportunities.

The delegation will also host a New Zealand function with the Singapore High Commission for key international buyers and presenters attending the market.

More information on the market can be found at www.asianartsmart.com   

Creative New Zealand, 25 May 2007