New Baycourt centre manager

Newly appointed Baycourt manager James Wilson.

Baycourt Community and Arts Centre and Tauranga City Council are pleased to announce and welcome James Wilson as the new Baycourt Manager.

A highly respected figure in New Zealand's performing arts and event management industry, with more than 20 years of experience and knowledge, James joins Baycourt from Q Theatre in Auckland where he was chief executive since 2012.

Among his many achievements and accolades, James has also served on the executive board of the Performing Arts Network NZ – the peak body for performing arts producers, venues and festivals in Aotearoa – and chaired the organisation from 2014–2018.

'I'm hugely excited to be joining the amazing team at Baycourt,” says James. 'It's clear that Baycourt has played a starring role in the lives of so many people in Tauranga.

'I can't wait to discover the stories, creativity and energy of the Bay of Plenty that make this such a great place to live and work.”

Under his leadership, Q Theatre was a four-time winner of the Entertainment Venues Association NZ award for best small venue in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017. James also won the EVANZ Venue Executive of the Year Award, and the Supreme Venue Person Award in 2017.

Prior to his work at Q Theatre, James was general manager for Massive Theatre Company, which works to create and tour New Zealand stories around Aotearoa.

'I'm really looking forward to getting to know artists and audiences across Tauranga, and work with the team to continue to bring the best in arts and entertainment to the stages of Baycourt,” says James.

James takes over as Baycourt manager from Megan Peacock Coyle, who stepped down in July of this year to take up the position of Hawke's Bay Opera House and Arts Precinct manager.

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