The Arts Foundation's Simon Bowden says we can learn something from the US when it comes to cultural philanthropy.
Musician turned Arts Foundation executive director, Simon Bowden, is one busy man. He recently returned from the United States determined to change the face of arts philanthropy in New Zealand. On a five-city, three-week, 39-meeting blitz of America, Bowden probed the secrets of why so much money is donated to the arts in the US.
One of the highlights of his trip was crashing a party held by a philanthropist worth $1.9 billion. With the lifting of the rebate cap on tax refunds in New Zealand, Bowden thinks now is the time to learn from America. He has led the Arts Foundation for eight of its 10 years. In that time the Foundation has established an Endowment Fund of $6 million, donated $3 million to 111 artists across the disciplines, has received over $1 million in donations and has $15 million promised in legacies.
In his spare time Bowden plays guitar. His band c.l. bob has recorded three albums, the second of which, Stereoscope, won Jazz Album of the Year at the New Zealand Music Awards in 2002. This full life became fuller in November last year with the arrival of Molly and Sophie, his identical twin daughters. He and wife Amanda also have a 3-year-old son, Finn.
For more information on the Arts Foundation, and a series of video logs made by Simon while in America, go to thearts.co.nz.
TEN FAVOURITE THINGS
1. My guitar
My first long-term girlfriend. A beautiful 1981 George Benson Ibanez with floating pickups. We have been everywhere together; if only that guitar could talk...
2. My bar
A late-1960s gold brocade covered bar with Formica top and matching bar stools. A symbol of my bachelor life. If the bar could talk it would have to be decommissioned. It is now resident in one of the Fat Freddy's Drop boys' apartments.
3. Tiki lamps
Some of the only remaining paraphernalia on display in my house from the bar days. Two lacquer bottles made in New Zealand with tikis that we turned into lamps. They were a gift from Amanda's dad. He was a New Zealand cocktail champion in the 1970s. I married Amanda to get his secret recipes. Three grandchildren later and I'm still waiting.
4. Whiti's ties
Amanda's hugely talented sister (this year alone she has had a play on tour, her first novel has been published, she has a film in post-production and she got admitted to the bar!), Whiti Hereaka made me these ties, I love them.
5. Peata's painting
Amanda's hugely talented cousin Peata Larkin recently showed at Bartley and Company in Wellington. We are incredibly lucky to have one of Peata's large scale works and have had it hard-wired to the mains.
6. My own music
I have been listening to old recordings of my bands and falling in love with our music again. It brings back memories of great times on the road and the special friendships I have with my former bandmates.
7. Banana Man
Angela, Bryna and I [the three staff at the Arts Foundation], love our photo of Ronnie van Hout's sculpture we call Banana Man. If you are having a bad day, it could not be as bad as the day Banana Man is having!
8. My family
Every day I feel like the luckiest man in the world to have a talented and caring wife and three beautiful children. Our house is filled with laughter, smiles, dancing and milestones to celebrate. With so much going on, who needs sleep anyway?
9. My banjo
I love how entertaining this instrument is. It's half-drum and half-guitar and really loud. I play the banjo in a band called the Swing Gigolos. We rove at public events. A highlight was playing on the baggage carousel at Wellington Airport. The moving stage gave the audience excellent sightlines. A 90-year-old woman told me it was the funniest thing she had ever seen.
10. The beach
Surfing and sailing have always been part of my life, but now the beach is something to enjoy with my son - we love the "undiscovered" beaches in the Seatoun area of Wellington.
