Porirua Community Arts Council Inc. (PCAC)
Who We Are
The Porirua Community Arts Council is probably best known to most of us for its annual flagship event – The Festival of The Elements held every Waitangi Day.
However, while the Festival is the Arts Council’s biggest and best known event and nearly the same age as the Arts Council itself, it is but one of many things the Council does.
What We Do
The Council’s mission statement aims to “encourage and promote the practice and appreciation of all art and cultural forms in Porirua City.” It was this that led to establishment and development of the Festival of the Elements sixteen years ago. But in its constitution the Council has listed 15 specific objectives and another eight (8) roles and powers all aimed at promoting the arts and culture in Porirua City. We are a broadly based organisation with a range of functions and not just narrowly focused on just one event.
The Council sets out to cater for and involve not just those involved in the arts, whether as a performer or administrator; but also those who appreciate and enjoy the many aspects of the performing and visual arts in Porirua.
Porirua Community Arts Council has received a number of local and regional awards including representing the Wellington region at national awards as well. We act as an umbrella group for performing ethnic cultural, musical, dance groups and individuals, theatrical and visual artists such as painters and sculptors. We seek to highlight and promote the rich abundance of diversity and talent in Porirua’s creative community.
Artist in Residence Scheme
Besides the Festival of the Elements the Porirua Community Arts Council Inc. runs or is involved in many other projects. Some examples of these are a plan to establish an Artist in Residence Scheme in Porirua city whereby a visiting artist – sculptor, painter etc would be based here for a short period and work with local artists, hold local exhibitions and workshops in Porirua and the wider Wellington region as well as share information with local artists and pass on new knowledge and skills.
Writer's Walk
A Writer’s Walk envisaged to follow the Porirua foreshore and possibly extend to other parts of the city, is currently under consideration between the Arts Council and staff at Whitireia Community Polytechnic. The walk will commemorate and celebrate the many outstanding internationally and locally acclaimed writers past and present that Porirua has produced.
The Big Day Art
Other major events include The Big Day Art which promotes the abundance of creative artists in the area, the July Obren Award made to the leading student in the creative arts at Whitireia Community Polytechnic each year, involvement in the planning of the proposed new Performing Arts Centre to be located on the Porirua foreshore and many others. These are but a few examples of the Arts Councils projects.
PCAC Membership
Membership. is open to all residents of Porirua City and by virtue of you being a citizen of Porirua, you are automatically considered a stakeholder in the Council.
There are three categories of membership and all are free – individual membership, which means any person living working or involved in Porirua City can join; affiliate membership open to community organisations such as local cultural and ethnically based groups or artist collectives, societies etc; and statutory membership that caters for local authorities such as Porirua City Council.
Contact Information for PCAC
Chairperson: Bob Cater
Phone: 236-7381
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Deputy Chairperson: Kay Paget
Phone: 236-7121
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Secretary: Phil O'Connell
Phone: 237-9902
Mobile: 027 786 5542
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Festival Cordinator: Margaret Armour
Phone: 233-8436
Mobile: 027 224 5670
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Postal Address:
Porirua Community Arts Council Inc., PO Box 52-011, Titahi Bay, Porirua City 5022.