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Literary Sandpit for kids to enjoy and win

The Arts Foundation has teamed up with Arrow International to produce a Literary Sandpit for the community to enjoy for the duration of the Wynyard Quarter Arts Series. The giant sandpit will be open to the public from noon November 25 until December 11 with the premise that ‘art starts in the sandpit’.

Arts Foundation Icon Margaret Mahy’s poem, Down the Back of the Chair will feature in an interactive children’s sandpit. In the poem ‘Dad’ finds all kinds of wonderful treasures down the back of the chair. Children will dig in the sandpit to find the treasures which are the images of David Elliot from the poem.

The sandpit is being constructed by Arrow International and uses sustainable materials. It’s for children of all ages. Schools’ visits and parents are welcome to bring children to the sandpit for the duration. They can discover the treasures and are encouraged to have a go at the drawing competition to be in to win a prize from Arrow International.

“Arrow is proud to be supporting New Zealand arts and the creative children of tomorrow” Julian Huggins, Auckland Manager, Arrow International.

On December 3 from 1pm to 3pm Arrow International will be present to give away spot prizes and encourage children in the area to come and play. They will also collect all the kids drawings so they can be I to win the ‘Arrow Kids Art Awards’ that will be $1,000 worth of prize money divided between ages and categories and judged in February.

The Wynyard Quarter Arts Series is produced in partnership with Waterfront Auckland and in conjunction with the inaugural Macquarie Private Wealth New Zealand Arts Awards. The series runs from 25 November to 11 December and will provide the public an opportunity to be involved in the celebration of New Zealand arts across disciplines.

The sandpit will be located next to the Arts Foundation Information Hub, a red container next to the Viaduct Events Centre, that will be open during the series. People can learn about Arts Foundation Awards recipients and can view the TVNZ 7 series, The Artists on LG smart TVs. The Information Hub will be the source of arts information about the Wynyard Quarter Arts Series and the Arts Foundation.

The Arts Foundation flagship event, the Macquarie Private Wealth New Zealand Arts Awards, will be held on 29 November. The Arts Foundation will donate $360,000 to artists at a glamorous red carpet event at the Viaduct Event Centre on Auckland’s waterfront. Ten of New Zealand’s finest artists will receive awards for excellence including five $50,000 Laureate Awards, three $25,000 New Generation Awards, the $25,000 Marti Friedlander Photographic Award and the inaugural $10,000 Mallinson Rendel Illustrators Award. Tickets are $250 and can be purchased at www.thearts.co.nz.

“This is an opportunity to reflect with pride on all of the achievements in New Zealand arts and to celebrate this year’s recipients.” says Fran Ricketts, Chair of The Arts Foundation.

Now in its twelfth year, The Arts Foundation has proven without doubt that this small nation does punch above its weight in the creative and performing arts – music, dance, literature, the visual and film making; all genres, including the unique and indigenous. By the end of this year the Foundation will have donated $3.5 million to 130 artists.

Tags: Arts