A new trust has been established in Wānaka with the aim of supporting a love of performing arts and increasing the health and wellbeing of young people.

The Tititea Performing Arts Trust was created by local women Maxine Frazer, Leigh Cohen, Maria Hearle and Gillian White, and it will hold an annual dance competition in Wānaka.

“There are a number of young people with a passion for the arts - specifically dance - living in the Upper Clutha who regularly travel considerable distances to take part in dance competitions,” Maxine said.

“Competitions are in such demand that the Alexandra and Mosgiel events have been fully subscribed in under three minutes of registration opening. So we’ve come together to establish the trust to bring another much needed event to the performing arts calendar and provide an opportunity closer to home.”

The Tititea Performing Arts Dance Competition, to be held at the Lake Wānaka Centre in April, will be the first of its kind locally. 

Maxine said the response so far had been positive, both from local dancers and others who are excited to come to Wānaka for a long weekend of performance.

The trust is independent from local dance schools Centralpoint Dance Studios and Dance Wānaka, but has their full support, the trustees said.

The four founding trustees (who all have daughters who are passionate dancers) will be sharing more details of the competition and how the local dance community can get involved over the next few months.

“We will be working hard to create a really positive culture where dancers will have the opportunity to grow and develop in their chosen genre, in a supportive, inclusive environment,” Maxine said.

The trust has a budget of nearly $20,000 for its first event, and it is grateful to the businesses, families and funders who have come onboard with sponsorship, donations and grants, and invites others to reach out if they are keen to offer their support.

Families or individuals donating $100 (or more if they wish) will in return have a trophy engraved with their name, which will be presented annually to dancers at the competition. 

Business sponsorship is also available, ranging in tiers from $500 - $1,500, with options of a named trophy and promotion before and during the event.

“We are so thrilled to be able to get this idea off the ground and are excited to bring more people on board over the next few months to help support what we know will be a fabulous three days of performance that is open to anyone with a love of dance,” Maxine said.

For more information, to sponsor a trophy or to make a donation please contact Maxine Frazer on [email protected]