An arts brokering initiative has been opening up opportunities for Franklin artists. Amongst its success stories is a mural paying tribute to the service men and women of Beachlands and a new art trail.
The Franklin Community Arts brokers are supported and funded by the Franklin Local Board as a way to support local artists to develop their work and to build stronger links with each other.
“We have some very good artists in our community but a lot of them were working in isolation so we wanted to find a way to bring them together for both support and promotion,” says Franklin Local Board chair Angela Fulljames.
“In some cases visitors knew about specific artists or venues but there was no guide on where to find them, and the brokers have been working on that.”
Brokers Sally Barnett and Bronwyn Bent provide mentoring and support, help artists with funding applications and venues and resources in addition to creating events or projects to draw visitors to the area.
Looking back on the first 12 months there have been some significant achievements including initiating 10 community-led projects, engaging with 60 artists and on events that attracted more than 1000 visitors to the area.
There have also been exhibitions and workshops, and people can now enjoy a new Clevedon Art Trail or pop along to the Makers’ Market - a boutique craft market on a Saturday morning in Pukekohe.
“Our focus is on supporting artists and community organisations, to manage creative projects that not only have an exciting artistic outcome, but also that connect with the broader community to share stories and ideas that are important to local people, says Sally Barnett.
“There are many wonderful artists from across all art forms in the Franklin area. Our job really is to make sure they have the resources and contacts they need to fulfill their creative goals.”
Find out more at Franklin Community Arts on its website or follow them on Facebook
