Secure funding vital to Aratoi growth

In its just released annual plan Aratoi Regional Trust has earmarked the security of long- term funding, growing revenue streams and improving staff skills as crucial.

The security of long-term funding is "vital" if Aratoi is to continue to grow as Wairarapa's art and cultural leader.

In its just released annual plan for the year ending June 30, 2016, Aratoi Regional Trust has earmarked the security of long- term funding, growing revenue streams and improving staff skills as crucial to the art and history museum's future.

The trust has pledged to continue developing its role as a cultural tourism destination and provider of quality exhibitions, public programmes, events and education services having over the past 10 years strengthened alliances with stakeholders to the stage Aratoi is "recognised as the guardian of Wairarapa's important arts and cultural treasures."

Its programme for the year is expected to include such exhibitions as the Rutherford Trust Collection, works by Wairarapa artist and weaver Annabelle Buick, King Street art exhibition, an exhibition of school art and exhibitions in conjunction with the Kokomai Festival.

On budgeting matters, the trust recognises although Aratoi has begun to achieve more success in securing grant funding for specific exhibitions, core funding from Masterton District Council allows it to continue its role in the Wairarapa community.

The council's grants make up 49 per cent of Aratoi's projected income with other councils contributing a further seven per cent.

As far as overheads were concerned funding from Trust House in 2014-2015 meant improvements to vital security and alarm hardware were made.

Cost increases of five per cent have been budgeted for both electricity and insurances.

It is thought telephone and internet costs could benefit from competition mounting throughout the telecommunications industry.

The trust predicts its administration costs will remain similar to previous years and can't foresee any major expenditure in advertising.

Staff costs are considered to be "very conservative" at the personnel levels being maintained with some "long overdue increases" in hourly rates being budgeted for but for the cost overall being static.