Arts development and resources

21st Century Arts Conference

Audience capital - 21st Century Arts Conference 2012

The 21st Century Arts Conference is an annual event attended by arts leaders, managers and marketers from a wide range of arts organisations. The conference encourages cross-disciplinary teams to engage with 21st century ideas.

In 2012 the conference will be held on 21 & 22 June 2012 at the Michael Fowler Centre Wellington.

This year's theme, Building Audience Capital, gets straight to the point: how can we grow audiences and deepen their engagement?

It's no longer enough to build mailing lists and sell tickets to events, we need to build relationships and grow communities around our organisations.

Audience Capital is the value that audiences place in our organisations; the investment they make and the stake they hold.

High levels of capital give you more opportunity to take artistic risks, while also getting higher attendances.  Low levels of capital will leave you selling every show or exhibition as if it was your first.

Aimed at artistic directors, curators, managers, educators, marketers and fundraisers, this conference will:

  • Give every delegate detailed audience research to take away
  • Introduce powerful new ways to segment your audience
  • Explore how this insight informs everything from artistic programming to marketing and fundraising
  • Share practical tools to measure, manage and grow Audience Capital
  • Provide a chance to ask experts, network with colleagues and share your own successes

 speakers and contributors

We've secured a number of talented people from New Zealand and abroad to talk around this years theme.

See who's speaking in 2012

feedback from 2011

  • I went to the 21st Century Arts Conference and...

…..enjoyed the opportunity to shelve current workload to absorb new ideas and stimulation amongst people who share similar lives

.... came away feeling connected to the NZ creative community and inspired to do my bit to help it grow

…. gained huge insight and new ideas, sowed the seeds for a new project…. came home empowered

79% of delegates said they met new people who they will be contacting again

90% of attendees felt inspired by some of what they heard or experienced

83% of delegates found the ideas at the conference and in the reader stimulating

82% of people had one or more useful 'meetings' during the conference

Hotel information

Ibis hotel - special rate

Conference price: $129 room only, $146 breakfast for one and $163 breakfast for two.   Rooms inclusive of GST.

Travelodge hotel details

  • King or Twin Room Only; $132.00 including GST
  • King Room and 1 full cooked breakfast; $147.00 including GST
  • Twin Room and 2 full cooked breakfasts; $160.00 including GST
  • Rates are inclusive of GST. Subject to change.
  • Wi-fi and corded internet in all rooms. Rate for use is $29.95 per 24hr blocks
    Hotel offers all guest 1/2 hour free use in hotel lounge/bar and restaurant areas
  • Travelodge website
  • Travelodge location in google maps

Past conferences

  • 2011 - This time it's personal
    Held in June 2011 in Auckland and the theme was based on the last two of the Seven Pillars of Audience Focus: Interactively Engaged and Personalised.

Learn more about the 7 Pillars of Audience Focus by reading the summary document 'Insight Required' (pdf, 425KB)

  • 2010 - Dream it, do it, prove it
    Featured internationally renowned speakers Richard Gerver, Claire Eva, Andrew McIntyre and Robyn Archer. Was located in Christchurch on June 2010.
  • 2009 - Insight-guided and brand-driven
    This Wellington  conference featured internationally renowned speakers Alan Brown and Peter Biggs.
  • 2008
    This conference in Auckland featured Diane Ragsdale.

Conference contacts

If you've got any questions please email: