The spectacular Auckland Arts Festival has undeniably consolidated its status as one of the premier artistic extravaganzas held in the region. The 2011 edition of this esteemed celebration was conducted with more verve and passion than ever. The audiences of Auckland were treated to a 19 day long carnival of dance, theatre, film, the visual arts, music and special events.

The festival is a biennial event which features artistic works created in New Zealand, the Pacific region, Asia and the world at large, presenting world premieres of notable works and international standard performing arts displays. In fact Auckland featured the Asia Pacific region’s foremost art festival from 1948 to 1982. Nearly two decades after the latter date the Auckland City Council decided to recreate the event on the conviction that Auckland was a significant, dynamic and diverse city in the region. The next Auckland Arts Festival will be held in March 2013.

In March 2011 the Auckland Arts Festival presented a special French theme in its dance productions featuring exceptional works of contemporary dance from the nation of France. Five outstanding French productions will be featured at the festival.

A rich and varied sample of theatrical productions are on offer, with dramatic specialties from England, Ireland, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Greece set to mesmerise the audiences in Auckland.

Musical offerings at the festival include premier standard classical masterpieces, contemporary innovations, authentic jazz features, cinematic music and cabaret presentations.
In the field of visual arts a diverse array of painting, sculpture, installation, ceramics, design, photography and video features may be experienced at the festival, and the contemporary masterpieces on offer will undoubtedly thrill the connoisseur.