Staff

Steve Thomas: General Manager aotnz@xtra.co.nz

Steve established Arts On Tour NZ in 1995 after receiving an ANZAC Fellowship to research arts touring programmes in Australia. He held a previous post as Touring Manager for The Southern Regional Arts Council. Before that he was the first Director of the Nelson Festival in 1983. Graduated B.Tech.(Hons) in psychology, sociology and economics, from Brunel University, London.

A poet from an early age, Steve has staged numerous solo and collaborative productions such as The Tupperware Party (1982), Pink Bits (1983) and Prime Time TV Live (1987) He is the author of three books and several CD recordings, and he has appeared at many festivals and special events held here in New Zealand and overseas.

He is better known to many as Radio NZ National's, "Bard of Christchurch".

 
 
Board of Trustees  

Steve Lowndes
An Englishman by birth, Steve has lived on Banks Peninsula since 1979. He holds a BA (hons) from Bath Academy of Art (majoring in Visual Communication) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Fine Art from the City Art Institute in Sydney. After a teaching stint in the UK, Steve travelled to Brazil where he taught at the design school in Rio de Janeiro.

Since emigrating to New Zealand, Steve has taken casual art classes at the Akaroa School and worked in commercial art studios. After a 15 year tenure as Director of the Akaroa Museum he became active in local government with his attention focused in the areas of art, heritage and culture.

Drawing and painting remain his greatest passion and he has exhibited frequently at Akaroa's Powerhouse Gallery and the Little River Gallery.

Anne Edmond
B.A University of Canterbury in English Literature. Born Wanganui, proprietor of Annies Wine Bar and Restaurant at the Arts Centre of Christchurch. NZ Ski team 1955-1963. Currently competes in Masters Ski races in NZ and North America. Has always taken a great interest in, and participated in, drama, opera, poetry, literature, singing, music and other circus delights

Stewart Ross
Stewart is a registered architect who has run his own practice for the last 30 years while at the same time maintaining an involvement with the 'Court Theatre', Christchurch's only professional theatre, as an actor as well as their architect for the original theatre and its subsequent expansions and refurbishments. Stewart has worked as a consultant to Creative New Zealand advising community groups on their planned theatre developments and is currently working on various theatre projects in the South Island. Stewart is a trustee on the Christchurch Arts Centre Trust Board.'

Endorsements of our Sevice to the Community

“Many towns and cities in provincial New Zealand have been adversely affected in recent years by cuts in public services and business closures.   I understand that Arts On Tour NZ is committed to giving something back to these communities.”
~ Helen Clarke Prime Minister

“As Minister of Industry and Regional Development, and a passionate advocate for provincial New Zealand, I applaud the good work of Arts On Tour NZ.  This initiative to bring musicians and performers to the heartland of New Zealand is a commendable contribution to the life and colour of our smaller towns.  The regions of New Zealand are as important today as ever.”
~ Jim Anderton

"AOTNZ not to be faulted ..top line...superb evening."
~ Regent Theatre Greymouth

"The Penguin Club and Arts On Tour NZ did us a great favour last Friday night when they brought Carolyn Mills and Bridget Douglas to Oamaru for an evening performance."
~ Oamaru Mail

"Very good.  Like all AOTNZ performers we’ve hosted they were a delight to deal with, very personable."
~ Taieri Dramatic Society, Mosgiel

Many thanks for yet another brilliant act!
~ Inangahua Community Arts Council, Reefton

"One of the best we’ve had. AOTNZ excellent as usual."
~ Out in the Styx Café Pukeatua

"Absolutely fantastic show... rave reviews from patrons
(still getting them)"
~ Penguin Club, Oamaru

"Excellent posters and flyers. It makes such a difference to have such professional material."
~ Waimate Community Arts Council

"Another bloody fantastic show!"  The Mussel Inn Golden Bay

"AOTNZ provides a service second to none… we hope our relationship with AOTNZ will go from strength to strength. The artistic quality of the programme is very consistently professional. A wide variety from classical to folk and comedy. Keep up the good work."
West Coast Theatre Trust

"Arts On Tour NZ service is great... Kiwiana well received."
Positively Clutha Women

"Arts On Tour NZ very organised."
~ Ashburton County Lions Club

"Excellent. We really value the quality of the service provided by AOTNZ. The groups who tour are always professional and of an excellent standard."
~ Toi Rakiura, Stewart Island

Truly professional and superb artistes.  Whistling stamping and cheering audience, not usual, must say in Waimate.  Hope they come again.
~ Waimate Community Arts Council

AOTNZ service was excellent... great, polished, solid artist.
~ Lyttelton Community Arts

The service is unique bringing a wide range of musical genre at a reasonable cost to the smaller communities-please continue!
~ Whangamata Singers