Jam Radio (of Depot Artspace, Devonport) is currently producing an invaluable asset to New Zealand’s arts sector with its ‘Cultural Icons’ programme; an accessible, informative and compelling series of interviews that will inspire generations to come.

(Click here to listen to Cultural Icons at Jam Radio)

In December Jam Radio received ARST (Arts Regional Services Trust) funding from North Shore City Council to create a series of interviews with iconic New Zealanders who have shaped the arts and culture scene over many years.  The inspiration and impetus for the Cultural Icons project is to provide archives that capture the ideas, histories and personalities of these significant contributors. The project is ongoing, with audio and film from the interviews made accessible online.

The dialogues are between friends and contemporaries and so far form a fascinating cultural genealogy.  Hamish Keith, writer, art curator, arts consultant and social commentator interviews his long-time friend, the artist and conservationist, Barry Brickell; Martin Edmond, noted NZ novelist, essayist and author of ‘The Resurrection of Philip Clairmont’ (1999) interviews Philip Clairmont’s partner Rachel Power and poet, biographer, musician and ecologist Denys Trussell interviews friend Dean Buchanan, painter.

Warm, informed and often intimate, the interviews are a rare insight into these iconic kiwi’s creative journeys, their youthful ambitions, their hurdles, successes and their contributions within the New Zealand creative and cultural landscape.

The audio interviews are accessible to all online and provided free of charge. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  The project also aims to make these interviews available for public distribution and to schools, libraries and other learning institutions.

Interviews completed to date include:
Rachel Power interviewed by Martin Edmond
Geoff Chapple interviewed by Graeme Lay
Ian Wedde interviewed by Kevin Ireland
David Eggleton interviewed by Graeme Lay
Barry Brickell interviewed by Hamish Keith
Vincent O’Sullivan interviewed by Graeme Lay
Graeme Lay interviewed by Kevin Ireland
Daughters of ARD Fairburn interviewed by Graeme Lay
Martin Edmond interviewed by Hamish Keith
Shonagh Koea interviewed by Graeme Lay
Hamish Keith interviewed by Graeme Lay
Martin Rumsby interviewed by Julian McCarthy
Louis Rawnsley & Archie Bowie interviewed by Graeme Lay
Dean Buchanan interviewed by Denys Trussell
Denys Trussell interviewed by Kevin Ireland

Latest interviews include:

Cultural Icons:  Denys Trussell and Kevin Ireland

This Cultural lcons programme celebrates Denys Trussell, poet, musician, biographer, essayist, ecologist and – as discovered in this interview – ex-truck driver and gangster.

Denys is interviewed by fellow wordsmith Kevin Ireland.  The two discuss Denys’ early ambitions, the galvanising moments of his career and his “penchant for diversions and reprises” which have resulted in an impressive body of work crossing many disciplines.

We are treated to two poetry readings and a discussion on Denys’ use of symphony thematic developments in his poetry, owing to his training as a classical pianist.  Kevin also questions Denys on his extensive contribution to the protection of New Zealand’s ecology, setting up ‘Beach Forest Action Committee’ in the early 70’s which later morphed into ‘Friends of the Earth’.  His involvement continues, almost 40 years on.

This is an inspiring interview with one of New Zealand’s most culturally ambidextrous icons.
Cultural Icons:  Dean Buchanan and Denys Trussell

Prolific landscape painter and mountaineer Dean Buchanan is interviewed by his friend Denys Trussell, poet, biographer, musician,and ecologist.

Denys’ prepared interview questions were quickly deemed superfluous as the two slipped easily into conversation.  The resulting programme is an intriguing look at Dean’s journey, both as an artist and as a mountaineer.

Dean Buchanan is one of New Zealand’s best-known artists. From an early age he showed immense talent, painting large oils that demonstrated both technical brilliance and a close affinity with the natural world. During the past thirty years he has become probably New Zealand’s most prolific (and also most affordable) painter, as well as one of the most instantly recognisable.

His paintings are found in homes throughout New Zealand and in public buildings and galleries both here and overseas. He has also exhibited in Australia, Japan, Chile, Switzerland and the USA. Coupled with his creative talent is an ability to live life to the full. No shrinking violet, ‘Wild beast’ Buchanan has always expressed himself forthrightly, especially in defence of preserving New Zealand’s natural environment. He has also become a mountaineer of some note, and in January 2007 succeeded in climbing Mt Cook.

He is the subject of Bob Harvey’s book ‘Wild Beast, the art of Dean Buchanan’(2007).

You can hear this interview and many more at www.jamradio.co.nz

Featuring: Ian Wedde, David Eggleton, Barry Brickell, Vincent O’Sullivan, Shonagh Koea, Dean Buchanan, Denys Trussell, Martin Edmond, Hamish Keith, Kevin Ireland, Martin Rumsby, the Daughters of ARD Fairburn, Graeme Lay, Rachel Power, Julian McCarthy, Louis Rawnsle and Archie Bowie.

“This research complements the work the Ministerial Cultural Philanthropy Taskforce is undertaking in this area,” Mr Finlayson said. “The report illustrates ways in which cultural organisations can identify useful and practical fundraising opportunities, such as payroll giving.”

“It also serves to remind us of the huge remaining potential for individual giving to boost the arts in New Zealand – something I’ve asked the Cultural Philanthropy Taskforce to look at.”

The Ministry’s research, which covers the 2007-2008 tax year, found that just 3%, or $9.9 million, of the $383.2 million in gifts, grants and sponsorships received by cultural organisations came from individuals. Another 6%, or $22.6 million, came from companies. The rest came from central and local government, and from the Lottery Grants Board, trusts and foundations. Of those organisations that did not receive any cash, or received non-cash support from individuals, 78% had not sought it, while 87% of those without corporate support had not sought it.

“Increasing charitable giving by individuals on top of the government’s commitment to funding could have enormous benefits for the arts sector,” Mr Finlayson said.

The Ministry’s research found only 53% of 480 cultural organisations that responded had “donee status” with IRD. Without donee status, individuals or companies cannot claim tax relief on donations to that organisation. Unless an organisation has donee status, it cannot participate in the new IRD-administered payroll giving scheme which enables company employees to donate through regular, automatic deductions from that employee’s before-tax pay.

“I’ve asked the Ministry to work with a range of partners across the cultural sector to help promote better awareness of recent changes to the tax system such as the payroll giving scheme that came into effect in January this year,” Mr Finlayson said.

“The Cultural Philanthropy Taskforce is also working to advise me on ways in which further tax changes and other incentives can support giving and sponsorship in the cultural sector.”

Cultural Philanthropy Taskforce member Margaret Belich has been chairing an online discussion forum on arts fundraising and attracting philanthropy, hosted on The Big Idea / Te Aria Nui website.

The Taskforce consists of several of New Zealand’s most high-profile supporters of the arts, appointed by the Minister to investigate areas of best practice in philanthropic giving including overseas examples, and to publicise New Zealand’s existing tax incentives for giving.

For more information about the Ministry’s research, including an Overview and the Full Report, read more here

From his contribution to many aspects of the arts scene in Auckland, to his stance on gender equality and the organic movement, Fairburn was a larger than life character who charmed both the critics and those who knew him.

Graeme Lay interviews two of ARD Fairburn’s children, Dinah Holman and Janis Fairburn about their father. In a conversation full of warmth, humour and nostalgia they reflect on his family and relationships, his work and publications, and the mark he has left as one of NZ’s most? influential writers.

To listen to the programme, entitled Cultural Icons: The Daughters of ARD Fairburn, visit www.jamradio.co.nz

Click HERE to read the full press release on the Cultural Icons project

Since its establishment Jam Radio has been organising and recording interviews with a number of significant writers, musicians and other local creative characters; Kevin Ireland, Geoff Chapple, Graeme Lay, Shona Koea and in mid 2009 the station decided a visual component would add another dimension of interest to the interviews.  The first filmed interview took place between Hamish Keith and Barry Brickell. As longtime friends, the interview was brimming with warmth, humour, and priceless stories about the arts scene in Auckland, and indeed the development of the two men as artists. This served as the inspiration and impetus for the Cultural Icons project; the provision of accessible archives that capture the ideas, histories and personalities that make up Auckland’s arts scene.

Another aspect of the project will be to make these interviews available for public distribution and to schools, libraries and other learning institutions. Jam Radio has increasingly proved an excellent resource for interviews, easily accessed by on-demand web streaming. And the studio’s location at the Depot Artspace has provides the station with creative people and resources.

Louise Evans, Mark Howden and Linda Blincko of the Depot Artspace are thrilled to receive the funding, which now enables them to further develop the project.

‘We still would have gone ahead with it, but we would have been limited in what we could produce. The funding has given us the freedom to create the series that we’d envisioned.’ says Louise, coordinator of Jam Radio.

Planning is now underway for the lineup for potential interview formats, and ways to increase distribution for the project. It’s anticipated the series will be an invaluable asset to the region’s arts sector, as well as the nation, with accessible, informative and compelling interviews that will resource and inspire generations to come.