Helping The Arts

Helping the Arts

The Performing Arts Foundation of New Zealand (PAFNZ) was established by the St James Theatre Charitable Trust in 1997 to provide an opportunity for Wellingtonians to participate in the restoration of The St James Theatre.

The purpose of PAFNZ was to:
- build on the inheritance of the St James and create an ongoing legacy of magic;
- create a home for the Royal New Zealand Ballet - its first permanent home in 45 years;
- assist appropriate community groups to access the St James for performances.

The Foundation also shared a longer-term goal to encourage the development of excellence in the performing arts. It supports through grants and subsidies and a variety of ways, young people who want to make their career in the theatre or who need a boost to achieve the next level of competence in the particular aspect of theatre for which they have demonstrated outstanding talent.

As funds builds it is hoped to support the development of the theatre industry in general by, for example, supporting new works or bringing in directors, designers etc to share their knowledge with practitioners here.

Funding comes from three main sources:
- The inaugural donor patrons
- A levy of $1.50 applied to all tickets sold for performances in The St James Theatre and the Opera House.
- A grant of $22,750 from the Regional Grants Committee of the Wellington City Council.

50% of the seat levy income is currently directed to areas of the theatre still awaiting final development, such as refurbishing dressing rooms and replacing the gallery seats at The Opera House, and to the on-going programme of fundraising.

We need continued support to enable the St James Theatre to continue to develop and to maintain its current position in the performing arts and events venue market. We need help from people like you!

There are many opportunities for people who are able to help us with our current and future developments, such as sponsorship, becoming a friend of the theatre or making a grant to the theatre.

The current Performing Arts Foundation of New Zealand Trustees are: Chris Parkin, Barry Dineen, Miranda Harcourt (Chair) and Roger Miller.

To contribute to the future of the performing arts in Wellington please contact paf@stjames.co.nz.