Associate Board Member 2025 wrap up

Our 2025 Associate Board Member Paul Tanigaito reflects on his year on the Footnote Dance Trust Board.

I am coming to the end of the year in the role of Associate Board Member for Footnote Dance New Zealand as part of the programme the Board runs to support sustainable arts governance. After a 17 year career as a dance practitioner, and a big career change to now being an energy analyst, it has been a rewarding opportunity to learn from the diverse experience and expertise spanning finance, law, technology and HR policy, as well as cultural expertise and arts industry experience of the Board members.

 Arts governance is challenging, and the tension between the freedom to explore, experiment and make great art and revenue generation is a constant one. The importance of art and dance is something I actually appreciate more now that I am a less active practitioner, and hope that I can help grow the appreciation and support for dance in Aotearoa. 

This year has been incredibly rewarding in my role, I’ve gained valuable insights into arts governance, learning from our dedicated team and contributing to Footnote’s growth. I would especially like to thank Francis Freemantle, the outgoing chair, for generously meeting with me prior to each board meeting to ensure my preparedness and ability to contribute successfully. In 2024, it has been great to see Footnote New Zealand Dance achieve several milestones. 

Internationally, Footnote toured to two venues in Japan, and was represented at the Performing Arts Market in Seoul (PAMS). As well as this, the dancers have also embarked on global sabbaticals for professional growth in Australia, UK, Germany, Spain. 

In Aotearoa, Choreolab and IYKYK tour and masterclasses were a great success, as well as many other collaborations with NZ creatives. The key highlight has been securing a permanent home for the company, enhancing operational stability. 

These developments signal a year of strategic growth and artistic expansion for Footnote that I have been proud to be involved in.