We are proud to have just reached our 10-year milestone where together as a community we have transformed the Village into a thriving home for arts and culture, a place where locals and visitors alike can connect with artists, participate in arts experiences, and celebrate a sense of belonging.

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Do you remember what it was like in 2013? Empty shops, tumbleweeds and existing under the looming threat of the Village being divested?  We can hand on heart say we collectively saved the Village and gave it a pulse. 
 

Our vision was to create an Arts movement that was inclusive, offered opportunities, spaces and events that supported artists, musicians, filmmakers, designers, ceramicists and equally importantly that grew a vibe and sense of inclusivity and vibrancy for our city that was sadly lacking. This is how far we have come but what is important is what we need to do NOW!

How do we enable the next stages to thrive and to realise the true potential of the Historic Village to our city?

Our submission is to inspire the commissioners and council leadership team to be BRAVE and BOLD and allow the Incubator Creative Hub to continue trailblazing and transformative developments  for grassroots arts culture. This will become an enduring and successful legacy for our city and people.

We are grateful for the tautoko of our service to the community and the reputation we have built nationally for the Village.

We acknowledge the investment and support to date.

The Incubator is generative- for every dollar we receive in funding or support, we return this with interest to the community- through our programmes, through our support for artists, and through our commitment to accessibility and staggering  commitment from volunteerism.  

The Incubator is seeking an authentic and enduring partnership with Tauranga City council that gives us the ability to continue the transformative progress of the Historic Village into a Community and Arts hub.  A village that is inclusive of all the community entities and encourages a barrier free place for the people of the Bay of Plenty to work, visit, shop, eat, connect and be entertained. 

The proposed increase in lease and rental costs at the Historic Village seems more aligned to a business park model. These developments will have a fatal impact on the many community organisations that have made the Village what it is today.
We urge the commissioners to reconsider the impacts on community tenants at the Village and to investigate alternative options than currently exist.
 

The Incubator Creative Hub submits to the Long term Plan to ensure its survival and sustainability.

With the proposed increase to the users fees and services (The second staggering rent increases in 3 years) will have an immediate impact on our ability to deliver programmes and services to the community.

With the current constraints on community funding, it is becoming increasingly hard to see how we can sustain this pattern of continual rental increases, particularly if they continue to escalate at a pace which is well above inflation. 

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We acknowledge the costs of improvements to make buildings habitable and safe however the value of what we bring to the city and that of the other tenants who live and breathe goodwill for our community should not be overlooked.

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With the support of the commission through the Long term plan process we will up the ante for the Village and Tauranga as one of the most recognised and comprehensive arts destinations in the country.

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