Events Manager Elise Goodge

Along with planning events for children at Capital E, Elise Goodge says her role includes everything from mopping the floor to donning an elf hat and pretending to be one of Santa’s little helpers.

In this Q&A Goodge talks about why it is important to nurture creativity and innovation at an early age.

“We have to create experiences for children that make art, design and creativity so accessible to them that they never feel that a door is closed to them, an art form too exclusive or a career path too unlikely.”

Goodge also outlines the Christmas and summer programme at Capital E, in Wellington, and talks about the strengths and challenges of children’s programmes in New Zealand.

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?

I actually am at my most inspired between 11pm and about 2am. Right when everyone else is getting ready to bed down I come alive! It can be quite annoying when you work a 9-5 job.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?

I think my friends would say that my aesthetic is urban professional.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?

To be honest it’s the brainstorming and the light bulb moments. I find coming up with the idea and then mulling over all the possibilities that idea presents the most exciting part of Event Management. I am a visualist so I start to conjure the most wonderful images in my mind and as the event progresses those images only become more refined.

How does your environment affect your work?

I think I could work in almost any environment. In terms of delivering an event the environment is merely the canvas, how you choose to use it and the event you decide to deliver in it are limited only by your imagination.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?

In my role I have to do both. I try to create ways to enhance Capital E’s image through events and also have to focus on every little detail. To work effectively as an Events Manager I have to be a stickler for detail but also have to have a vision for the organisation I am working for and a plan to bring that vision to fruition.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?

Always do what you say you are going to do. No matter how inconsequential a request might seem if you said you’ll return that email or post that letter then do it. A reliable person is worth their weight in gold.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?

Hmm that’s a tough one as they are all rewarding in their own way. I would say the work that I did at Te Papa helping to develop the Matariki Festival and creating a youth led Rangatahi programme were extremely rewarding and amazing learning experiences.

Here at Capital E I am torn between The Big Halloween, which had a massive increase in visitation this year and was a heap of fun and the Cuba Street Carnival Kids Zone and Capital E Night Parade Float. We had kids dropping in through January to help us build the float, it was fantastic during the parade to be walking along behind the float and hear kids in the crowd point us out to their parents and say “I helped build that!”

Who or what has inspired you recently?

The kids that come through always inspire me. They constantly remind me of what I am doing right or wrong. You always know when you have nailed an event when your audience is children because they immerse themselves so entirely in an experience if they are enjoying themselves, it is joyous to watch.

Tell us a bit about your role at Capital E.

My job is to design and deliver an annual events programme that is appealing to children aged 2 – 14. That encourages hands on participation and rewards creativity.

I do everything from mopping the floor to managing the budget to donning an elf hat and pretending to be one of Santa’s little helpers. There is no job too small; no detail too insignificant in this role.

Tell us a bit about Capital E.

When people ask me this question my stock standard answer is: “Capital E is an events, education and theatre facility for children.” That is in a nutshell of course. We are broken into three arms, if you will the Creative Technology team who deliver education programmes to schools year round through Soundhouse, our sound production studio and computer suite and OnTV, our TV studio. The Capital E National Theatre for Children, who tour nationally and internationally and develop world class theatre experiences for children, and then there’s me, I deliver an annual programme of community and school holiday based events.

Who funds and supports it?

We are predominantly funded through the Wellington Museums Trust by Wellington City Council. The Creative Technology department also receives LEOTC funding and the National Theatre for Children receives additional funding from Creative New Zealand and Community Arts Grants.

When was it set up and how has it grown since then?

Capital E was established almost 12 years ago after the demise of Capital Discovery Place (many people remember the giant slide and yes it is gone.) The concept was born out of a desire to have a facility specifically for children in Wellington.

Capital E has evolved its programme since this initial concept. We now deliver more community events, have introduced new programmes in the Creative Technology Department that utilize 3D software and deliver a bi-annual children’s arts festival that brings some of the worlds best children’s entertainers and theatre companies to Wellington.

Why is it important to give children access to creative technology and performance?

For me personally why you give access is to open doors. The world is changing and great ideas and innovation are rewarded now more than ever. We have to create experiences for children that make art, design and creativity so accessible to them that they never feel that a door is closed to them, an art form too exclusive or a career path too unlikely.

How do you nurture creativity and innovation?

Through hands on participation and outcomes. Children do not make a very good passive audience, nor should they, they want to be involved, they are hungry to learn and they do not possess adult apprehensions around trying new things. Therefore a programme where they are encouraged to join in is essential. Once children get a little older they also become concerned about outcomes. They have a greater desire to be able to share what they have learned and done with others. Therefore creating a programme with an achievable outcome will make them feel good about their experience and want to continue learning and share what they have learned. Once you have introduced them to an art form, piece of software or skill through participation and outcome they are off and will begin to use what they have learned in ways you never could have anticipated. At this point the key is not to limit them but to enable. Give them more tools to work with and encourage them and they soon will have surpassed you.

What does your Christmas and summer programme include?

Our Christmas Programme this year is entitled Castaway Christmas. Santa, Mrs Claus and the Elves have been castaway on a pacific island by the reindeer, which panicked when a storm blew up, broke free of their reins and flew back to the North Pole without them. You can visit with Santa, hear the saga of how they ended up on the island with Mrs Claus, play games with the elves and make a lolly lei. The programme opens to the public Thursday 17 December and runs through until Thursday 24 December. Drop in anytime between 10am and 3pm on any of these days and pay just $5 per person for all of those activities. Adults you are welcome to join in on the games and make a lei as well of course!

On Saturday January 23rd, in partnership with Summer City, we present for the first time The Great Scavenger Hunt. If you like the idea of crossing a quiz with a treasure hunt and the amazing race then this event is for you. Collect a map and clue sheet from Capital E and head off to find 12 destinations along Wellingtons beautiful waterfront. When you reach a destination you must complete a task to receive a stamp. Once you have collected all 12 stamps return to Capital E at 4pm to receive free entry to The Scavenger Hunt Extravaganza! A variety performance including Legacy and amazing acrobats!

Is this your busiest time of year?

One of the busiest, July School Holidays are also normally very busy and during our festival (the next one is 2011) it is also crazy busy. For me September through until Christmas is the most hectic time as we have so many great programmes virtually back to back.

What are the strengths and challenges for children’s programmes and venues in NZ?

A strength is that the current generation of children is one without cultural cringe and one that is growing up in a more multi-cultural society. This opens up some amazing doorways for arts in New Zealand and the type of theatrical and artistic programmes you can offer. In many ways you can be much braver with children than perhaps you could with adults as they have already overcome many issues facing New Zealand culturally in their school playground. 

The challenge lies in delivering the best for your audience when some people don’t necessarily attach as much value to children’s programmes as they would a programme designed for adults. We see our role at Capital E as advocating for our audience. Convincing people that they are an important audience who deserve to have product developed for them that is cutting edge and world class and that the work created is culturally valuable.

What’s your big idea for 2010?

I have many that I am very excited about. Most involve using new technologies and new approaches to interactive exhibits. I don’t want to give too much away so you’ll have to keep an eye on our website www.capitale.org.nz