Who
We Are
WHO WE ARE
Arts Council Nelson (ACN) is a local organisation with a mission to promote, initiate and support projects and activities that stimulate and strengthen the artistic and cultural life of our local communities.
OUR GALLERY
Through Refinery ArtSpace, our flagship gallery space, we curate a diverse programme of engaging community-driven and contemporary exhibitions, projects and events.
OUR PROJECTS
Through our project work, we run multiple creative events throughout the year, including Nelson Jewellery Week, Nelson Clay Week, Changing Threads and Pushing Clay.
OUR WORK
Through our work in Community Arts, we facilitate funding opportunities, administer grants, and connect local artists and community groups with opportunities.
OUR DEVELOPMENT
Arts Council Nelson is currently undertaking an exciting transition to become an Arts Development Agency for the region, with support from Nelson City Council.
Find out more here.
HISTORY
For over 55 years, Arts Council Nelson has supported local creative opportunities and events in Whakatū, and the wider region.
In 1969, our predecessor, the Nelson Provincial Arts Council (NPAC), was founded by a small group of enthusiastic locals to encourage, promote and coordinate the study, practice and enjoyment of the arts in Nelson. NPAC was founded following the ‘Nelson Event’, a mixture of jazz, films, poetry, folk, singing and visual arts exhibitions.
NPAC was founded with the following objective:
“To encourage, promote and coordinate the study, practice and enjoyment of the arts in the province of Nelson and to promote and encourage the public awareness of their existence, their function and their value in the community.”
HISTORY
People involved in these early days were Chris Hay, Eelco Boswijk, Geoff Heath, Dave Andrews and Sonya Davies.
In 1976, the Arts Council established the first Nelson Arts Festival. Grants for over $22,000 were allocated to assist touring performances to come to Nelson.
In the early 1980s the then Chair, John Wheeler, encouraged the Arts Council to take on paid staff. Working full-time in a voluntary capacity, John championed the transition. In 1982, Claudia Reid was appointed as the first paid member of staff, and the first Community Arts Officer.
HISTORY
Throughout the years, the Arts Council has had a number of Community Arts Officers:
[1982—83]
Claudia Reid
[1983—84]
Jennifer Brett
[1984—90]
Robbie Burton
[1990–1996]
Trix Dyer
[1996—1998]
Mags Meechang
[1998—present]
Lloyd Harwood
HISTORY
In 1997, the organisation changed their name to Arts Council Nelson and became an incorporated society.
Paid staff signalled a marked change in the nature of the organisation, as it greatly expanded the scope and range of activities the Arts Council could undertake. As a consequence seeds were sown and projects nurtured which facilitated the growth of Whakatū into the prime arts and cultural destination it has now become.
In 2025, the Arts Council Nelson remains a strong pou in the region’s creative community, working with Nelson City Council, local organisations, community groups, galleries and individuals to stimulate and strengthen the artistic and cultural life of our region.
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