Art in Public Places Trust
Gisborne

Gisborne Art in Public Places, or Toi Whanui Tairawhiti (AIPP), was established in February 1999.
In their advisory role to the Gisborne District Council, AIPP's brief is to install art works in locations around the district such as the gateways to the District, in the circles which have been earmarked for art throughout the CBD, and in the smaller townships throughout the District.
Art is intimately linked to identity - how we think about our surrounding environment and ourselves. Public Art enriches our lives and as well as those that visit our region, it spurs our imaginations and creativity, and inspires us. Moreover, the installation of artworks from our own artistic community and which represent our region can be seen to stimulate economic development with the flow-on effects of increased cultural tourism and the economic stimulation of the local art community.
AIPP's role is to provide recommendations of artists, artworks and appropriate sites to Council. To carry out this function successfully AIPP are hugely dependent on the involvement of the local community and invite communities and artists to approach them with ideas for public artworks they would like to see installed.
AIPP recognise that community ownership is an integral aspect of public acceptance of, and respect for public artworks. They have also learnt from experience that controversy and disagreement are also part and parcel of public art, but believe that without this element they would not be doing their job.
AIPP does not hold funds for the construction and installation of artworks, and as such the seeking and coordination of funds forms a considerable part of their work. They currently have two projects for which they are seeking financial support. The first is a kinetic installation called "The Voyager" which is to be placed in the Waikanae Stream. The other work is a plexiglass sculpture, "Te Tairawhiti" for placement on Gladstone Road between Grey and Bright Streets, for which they have yet to find sponsors or funding.

Contact the AIPP committee if you have a design for a public art work, or if you would like to give some financial support or sponsorship to their projects.
Contact: Gwenda Crawshaw on gwendascottage@xtra.co.nz