The 2010 New Zealand Festival of the Arts has been officially launched at a gala function in Wellington on Tuesday.
Hundreds of guests attended the launch, which showcased some of the 300 events included in the festival.
Highlights include the British Peter Brooks Theatre production of Eleven and Twelve; theatrical productions from Ireland, Latvia and China; and a performance of Gustave Mahler's epic Symphony No 8.
Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee also announced the Government would contribute $480,000 to the festival, through the New Zealand Major Events Fund.
Mr Brownlee says the money, which will be used to help fund the festival's arts education component, will help ensure the event's financial health.
Mr Brownlee says the money will also pay core costs of the festival, which makes a big contribution to the economy of the Wellington region.
He says the festival must still meet 40% of its costs through ticket sales.
Festival chair Fran Wilde told guests that despite the recession, sponsorship was strong, which augured well for the event, in Wellington from 26 February to 21 March 2010.
