ART is an arts and creative industries development agency, creating and investing in programmes that develop capability and capacity in Auckland’s creative sector.

The City Councils of Auckland and Manukau created the Arts Regional Trust Te Taumata Toi-a–iwi (ART) in 2000 to manage and grow their combined share of funds provided through the disestablishment of Auckland Regional Services Trust.

To date, ART has invested in a number of significant projects in partnership with other organisations such as the city councils of the Auckland region, universities and government agencies. The capital fund has grown to $8.4 million (at June ’06) under ART’s stewardship.

ART has developed a suite of three core programmes that are targeted at creative and cultural entrepreneurs who are seeking to further develop their enterprise:

The programmes all support ART’s core strategy of backing creative entrepreneurs. Each targets different stages of maturity and traction. All are responsive to the individual participants’ business development needs and are customised to meet the specific needs of the creative sector in the Auckland region.