Who We Are
The Nelson Festivals Trust looks to the horizon, igniting sparks of transformation and inciting the power of creativity as a force for positive change.
We fiercely stand as a champion for artists and the arts, a catalyst for crucial conversations, and a mirror to our moment in time.
We foster connections, by uplifting and celebrating our whole community through artistic and cultural experiences.
We fiercely stand as a champion for artists and the arts, a catalyst for crucial conversations, and a mirror to our moment in time.
We foster connections, by uplifting and celebrating our whole community through artistic and cultural experiences.
Now in our 30th year of delivering epic annual festivals, our key offering Nelson Arts Festival continues as a bright beacon for the arts in Aotearoa and a strong pou for the Whakatū creative community. Every Spring, we curate, craft and nurture 11 days of unmissable arts experiences for and with the people of Whakatū Nelson and Te Tauihu (and beyond).
The events we deliver are awe-inspiring, audacious and accessible, all wrapped up in the warm embrace of manaakitanga that defines and holds us as people of Aotearoa and the Pacific.
Through caring for and supporting growth within both our festival whānau and the wider community, we cultivate a flourishing landscape where artistry, ecosystems and people thrive, shaping a world we can only hope to imagine.
The events we deliver are awe-inspiring, audacious and accessible, all wrapped up in the warm embrace of manaakitanga that defines and holds us as people of Aotearoa and the Pacific.
Through caring for and supporting growth within both our festival whānau and the wider community, we cultivate a flourishing landscape where artistry, ecosystems and people thrive, shaping a world we can only hope to imagine.
Following 24 successful years, in 2018 the Nelson City Council moved the Nelson Arts Festival into a community-based, autonomous organisation to continue its growth.
The Nelson Arts Festival is now under the governance of the Nelson Festivals Trust, a registered charity. 2024 marks the 30th annual Nelson Arts Festival - a milestone birthday for the longest running annual arts festival in Aotearoa.
The Nelson Arts Festival is now under the governance of the Nelson Festivals Trust, a registered charity. 2024 marks the 30th annual Nelson Arts Festival - a milestone birthday for the longest running annual arts festival in Aotearoa.
Nelson Arts Festival Team
Ruth Roebuck
(she/her/ia)
General Manager
Janelle Bish
(she/her/ia)
Artistic Director
Rose McGrannachan
(she/her/ia)
Head of Operations
Kerry Sunderland
(she/her/ia)
Pukapuka Talks Programme Lead
Lil della Porta
(she/they/ia)
Marketing & Communications Lead
Technical and Delivery Team
JR Richardson
(he/him/ia)
Technical & Production Manager | Head of Sound
Antony Hodgson
(he/him/ia)
Head of Projection | Deputy Technical & Production Manager
Wendy Clease
(she/her/ia)
Head of Lighting
Lydia Hannah Thomas
(they/she/ia)
Programme Coordinator & Artist Liaison
Maria Anderson
(she/her/ia)
Audience Experience Coordinator | Access Coordinator
Sam Cole
(he/him/ia)
Mask Carnivale Project Manager
Rosie Pidd
(she/her/ia)
Mask Carnivale Coordinator
Festival Technical Team & Crew
Small but mighty team from Whakatū and around Aotearoa
Nelson Festivals Trust
Ali Boswijk (Board Chair)
Johny O'Donnell (Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri)
Sarah Yarrow
Luke Acland
The Trustees have combined experience in governance, business, central and local government, and arts promotion and management.
The Trustees would like to thank all previous Board members for their contribution, advice and support of the Trust and the Festival: Brent Thawley, Cynthia Greep, Zoe Palmer, Johannah Kātene-Burge (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Tama), Gemma Laing, Debbie Hannan, Sarah Sharp, Caroline Marshall and Pic Picot.
The Trustees would like to thank all previous Board members for their contribution, advice and support of the Trust and the Festival: Brent Thawley, Cynthia Greep, Zoe Palmer, Johannah Kātene-Burge (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Tama), Gemma Laing, Debbie Hannan, Sarah Sharp, Caroline Marshall and Pic Picot.