Creative New Zealand (CNZ) has announced its six-year investment in the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) as part of its Toi Tōtara Haemata Investment Programme 2020.
APO is one of 23 organisations recognised under the programme and has received an additional $575,000 over three years to put toward a yearly programme of high quality orchestral performances, education activities, and orchestral access programmes.
“As the New Zealand arts sector grows, there are increased demands on funding. CNZ’s focus on the right breadth and depth of investment is fundamental to success. We are extremely appreciative of CNZ’s continued support of the arts sector and orchestral music in particular,” says APO Board Chairman Geraint A. Martin. “This increased investment enables us to make a start on our priority objectives set out in APO’s application.”
APO Chief Executive Barbara Glaser says the funding will enable the organisation to implement programmes that benefit the wider orchestral music community. “We are especially delighted that, thanks to the funding from CNZ, we are now able to implement an Assistant Conductor programme, an opportunity which is much needed in the New Zealand orchestral music landscape.”
“We are committed to achieving the objectives that cannot be met through CNZ’s funding alone. We will continue to explore other funding opportunities in order to further grow our artistic standing, connect with audiences throughout the Auckland community and develop our APO Connecting outreach and education programme.”