New chapter at GB Arts Council

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The Golden Bay Community Arts Council (GBCAC) is beginning a new chapter, with a change of the guard and a new arts worker.

Dr John Coulter is stepping up into the chairperson role, replacing Brian Cooper who remains a member of the council, while new arts worker Gary Smith joins the team next week.

What We Provide

SOCIAL WORK – Working with children, young people and their families. Working one-to-one with clients through support and advocacy for positive change.

HEALTH SOCIAL WORK – Making the connections between community and health services from the cradle to the grave

BUILDING FINANCIAL CAPABILITY – Ongoing or one-off assistance with a Financial Mentor.

FOOD BANK AND BEDDING STORE – Available for individuals/families going through hardship.

COUNSELLING – Referrals to specialist counselling.

YOUTH SUPPORT – Working one-to-one with youth.

WHANAU MEETINGS – Guest speaker and community notices, held on the fourth Tuesday of each month, 12-1pm at the Community Centre.

FAMILY CENTRED SERVICES – Family violence prevention

REFERRALS TO: Public Health Nurse, Well Child, Mental Health, Community Law, Oranga Tamariki, Family Court, PHO and others.

SIT & BE FIT – Community exercise classes in Takaka and Collingwood.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – Responding to community needs as they arise.

VILLAGE GREEN: Bookings 525 9728

COBB HOUSES: Bookings 525 9728

HALL/ROOM HIRE – kitchen, 80-seat hall, rooms, tables, chairs, crockery, cutlery etc for functions and conference hire. Ph 525 9728.

LIBRARY – a good selection of self-help and inspirational books, videos and DVDs, including GB Cancer Society Library. Free of charge. email manager@mohuasocialservices.org.nz or phone 03 525 9728 for further information about any of these services

John, who lives in Collingwood, is a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland’s School of Music, and has a wealth of experience in facilitation, bringing a wide range of talents, resources, and expertise to the team.

“Mohua Golden Bay is a community full of artists, and I’m pleased to be working to help strengthen what is already a vibrant and multifaceted arts culture in the Bay,” says John. “The team at the arts council has some exciting new events on the horizon and I’m looking forward to seeing them come to fruition in the coming months. For me, the arrival of Gary, together with Claire’s already amazing work, has produced a groundswell of positive energy that I am glad to be caught up in and part of.”

From 15 August, Gary will be opening the door at GBCAC HQ every Tuesday 10am-3pm. Originally from Christchurch, and with an extensive background in delivering successful festivals, projects, and community events around the country, Gary's role is to create an artist-informed community strengthening programme. This will include workshops, training opportunities, a sophisticated database, a monthly arts column, and a summer Mohua Arts Festival.

“I'm super excited to be connecting with local creatives, discovering their challenges, hopes and dreams, and collaborating to collectively build on the amazing work already done in the region,” says Gary.

Gary’s colleague Claire French urges the Bay’s creatives to connect with him. “We especially encourage local artists and galleries to get in touch, as the month of August will be about hearing what our community wants in order to create programmes that fit the community’s needs. Please feel free to pop in for a chat.”

Meanwhile

Claire is looking forward to one of the major events on the Bay’s arts calendar. “The next big project on the horizon for the arts council is the iconic Bay Art – a 10-day community art exhibition starting on Labour Weekend.”

Gary Smith is at GBCAC, 24 Commercial Street, Tākaka, Tuesday 10am-3pm (from 15 August). Email: artsworkermohua@ gmail.com.