Village opens up to arty types

Rotorua's creatives got a taste of what The Arts Village has on offer during an open day at the weekend.

The Arts Village manager Mary-Beth Acre said the event on Saturday was part of the new board's vision to make art accessible to the community.

"The vision is for Rotorua to be a community where everyone who wants to participate in art can by making it accessible and so everyone knows there is something at the village for them and it's their space and they've got ownership over it.

"The last time we had an open day was 2012. We are just wanting to get people into the village to get a better sense of what we have going on with 25 different groups and hobbies."

She said about 300 members of the public came through.

"It was not the hugest day but we were really, really happy with it."

She said there was a breadth of groups and activities on offer.

"There are some really interesting things like the Astronomical Society and they had the telescope out which was great, and our kids club got our 200th member yesterday."

She said The Arts Village was going through changes and it was an exciting time.

"We are getting some really good feedback and we are increasing our staffing.

"There's a lot of optimism. Over the last year we have had a really good response to classes and events we are doing.

"There is something for all ages across a really broad range of interest. It's for people who have never done any art before and want to try it and for other artists who are emerging and established."

-Visit www.artsvillage.org.nz