New Zealand arts council rejects Shakespeare as ‘imperialism’

Many have taken issue with the decision by Creative New Zealand, including former student thespian Jacinda Ardern, the nation’s prime minister

Mon, 17 Oct, 2022 - 08:04

Nick Perry, AP

New Zealand’s arts council has ended funding for a popular school Shakespeare programme, arguing it asks too much of busy schools, fails to show relevance to “the contemporary art context”, and relies on a genre “located within a canon of imperialism”.

Many have taken issue with the decision by Creative New Zealand, including former student thespian Jacinda Ardern, the nation’s prime minister.