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About us

UPSURGE Bay of Islands Arts Festival is delivered by the Bay of Islands Arts Festival Trust, a registered charitable trust.

Our mission as an organisation is to be a unique must-do arts experience, inspiring and connecting our communities.

We partner with artists, our communities and supporters to develop distinctive arts experiences to the region, designed to inspire people to come together, to participate and to enjoy.

Rosa Woods/Stuff

Meet the co-directors

The co-directors of Upsurge 2024 are Caroline and Dave Armstrong. Caroline is an experienced theatre producer and former classical musician. Her husband Dave is a playwright and former classical musician. They first met in the National Youth Orchestra a very long time ago. Caroline and Dave both love the arts, and the Bay of Islands, and are looking forward to bringing Upsurge 2024 to you.

Bay of Islands Arts Festival Trust

Chair: Sally Macauley, QSM
Treasurer: Shaun Curtis
Debra Shand, Mariao Hohaia, Gail Richards, Georgia McDonald, Vivien Smith, Michelle Wilson

Festival Team

Technical Manager – William Smith, Tungsten Projects
Festival Publicist – Gill Hughes
Marketing Strategist – John Oszajca
Graphic Design – Jane Carruthers
Accounts Co-ordinator – Jo Hughes
Admin Assistant – Anna Secker
School Liaison – Vivien Smith, Michelle Wilson