The Blue Oyster Arts Trust (BOAT) was founded in Dunedin in 1999 as the governing body of the Blue Oyster Art Project Space that provides a high quality, dynamic program of experimental and innovative contemporary art practice. BOAT is a non-profit and non-commercial organisation that is made up of practicing artists, curators and other creative professionals. The art project space allows a diverse range of artists to work experimentally, free from commercial restraints and irrespective of the stage of their career. We aim to broaden the interest and understanding of contemporary arts by providing a forum for discussion and debate regarding contemporary art issues.

Mission Statement

The Blue Oyster Art Project Space exists to encourage and promote innovative contemporary art projects in or from Dunedin.

We aim to broaden interest and understanding of contemporary art and provide a space for experimental, non-commercial art projects.

Strategic Objectives

The Blue Oyster Arts Trust aims to:

1. Support and facilitate contemporary art practice, especially that of experimental, innovative arts practice of all artists regardless of career stage.

2. Be a place for experimental and innovative projects

3. Represent both national and international contemporary arts

4. Have a program with a non-profit and non-commercial focus

5. Broaden interest and understanding of the contemporary arts

6. Be a forum for the contemporary arts and culture community

7. Be a prominent and active participant in the Dunedin arts community

8. Promote critical discussion of contemporary culture

9. Be a resource of and for contemporary arts and culture

Current Director

Jaenine Parkinson: BA(Hons), MA(Hons)

Current Blue Oyster Arts Trustees

Jo Campbell: MA PG Dip Arts BA ATCL

Bernard Hamlin: Bsc, BA(Hons)

Jonathan Marshall (Chair): MA, PhD

Aroha Novak: BFA

Max Oettli: BA(Auck), Licence- es Lettres(Geneva)

Anya Sinclair: BFA

Dr. Erika Wolf: AB, AM, AM, PhD(History of Art)

Past Blue Oyster Directors

Kate Plaisted: 1999 , Steve Carr: 2000 , Byrony Allen: 2001,  Peter Wheeler: 2001,  Melanie Hogg: 2002 , Robyn Dold: 2003,  Ali Bramwell: 2004-2006 , Charlotte Dick: 2006 - 2007,  Benjamin Smith: 2007, Michelle Armistead: 2007-2008.

Blue Oyster Arts Trust Alumni

Steve Carr: (founding member) 1999 - 2001 , Douglas Rex Kelaher: (founding member) 1999 - 2004,  Kate Plaisted: (founding member) 1999 - 2000,  Wallace Chapman: (founding member) 1999 - 2001,  Emily Barr: (founding member) 1999 - 2001,  Teresa Andrew: 2001 - 2004,  Ali Bramwell: 2001 - 2004,  Cathy Helps: 2001 - 2006,  Nathan Thompson: 2002,  Terrence Wood: 2002,  Bekah Carran: 2002 - 2006,  Claire McClintock: 2003 - 2004,  Iain Cheesman: 2003 - 2005,  Lynda Cullen: 2004 - 2005,  Nick Dewar: 2004 - 2005,  Don Hunter: 2005 - 2006,  Ana Terry: 2005 - 2007,  Jay Hutchinson: 2005 - 2007,  Anna Muirhead: 2006 - 2007,  Emma Bugden: 2006 - 2008,  Amy Jo Jory: 2006 - 2007,  Emily Pauling: 2006 - 2008,  Rachel Gillies: 2006 - 2008, Michael Morley: 2006 - 2008, Jenna Todd: 2007 - 2008, Sue Marshall: 2007 - 2009, Julia Davies: 2008 - 2009, D'Arcy Dalzell: 2008 - 2009, Peter Gorman: 2009.