Skip to Navigation | Skip to Content

Vincents Art Workshop wins community award

21 September 2009
Vincents Art Workshop is one of six Wellington community organisations recognised at the 2009 Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards, acknowledging the contribution of voluntary and non-profit organisations and their volunteers.

The awards were presented at a ceremony hosted by Mayor Kerry Prendergast in the Council Chambers. Vincents won the Arts and Culture category. Each category winner won $500 and the chance to go through to the regional finals in October, where they will be up against category winners selected by other councils in the Wellington region.

Marianne Taylor, Executive Director of Arts Access Aotearoa, says Vincents is a landmark of Wellington, providing artistic opportunities and celebrating difference and diversity.

“We’re delighted that Vincents has received this award,” she says. “I would also like to commend Wellington City Council for its ongoing support of Vincents and its recognition of the value that Vincents provides in the community.

“New Zealand has more than 75 creative spaces and the work they do to help build inclusive communities is remarkable. As the oldest creative space in New Zealand, Vincents is generous in providing advice and support to other creative spaces.”

Other category winners were:
•    Lyall Bay Surf and Life Saving Club Inc (Sport and Leisure)
•    Mary Potter Hospice (Health and Well-being)
•    Computer Access New Zealand Trust (Heritage and Environment)
•    English Language Partners, Wellington (Education and Child Youth Development).

The awards attracted 41 nominations this year and Mayor Prendergast says the calibre of entries was extremely high.

"We would have loved to award a prize to all who were nominated. They are all winners in our eyes for the wonderful work they do, often behind the scenes,” she says. "A lot of these organisations couldn't survive without the commitment and dedication of their volunteer workforce and these awards are just a small way of saying thank you to them for all their hard work."