University of Waikato Tauranga Public Lecture

'Children's Experiences of Baycourt Community and Arts Centre'

Children’s performing arts practices are often associated with home and/or school spaces. This lecture reports on a project that put children’s experiences of the performing arts centre stage at Baycourt Community & Arts Centre. Coinciding with the theatre’s 40th anniversary last year, Dr Bronya Dean and Professor Lynda Johnston undertook a two-phase research project, speaking with adults about their childhood memories of Baycourt (phase 1) and speaking with children who also drew about their experiences of Baycourt (phase 2). Bronya and Lynda share some of their findings and discuss the role a community venue plays in the lives of children and the development of cultural citizenship.

Dr Bronya Dean's research interests centre around music in everyday lives, with a particular focus on the musical ‎experiences of young children at home and in the community. She has a professional background in ‎arts management and early childhood music education and her research interests straddle these ‎areas.

Prof. Lynda Johnston's teaching, research and community interests are centred on social and cultural geographies, in particular people's embodied (gendered, sexualised, raced, disabled) everyday experiences of place. Lynda recently was named Fellow Ngā Ahurei of the Royal Society Te Apārangi for her research on social and behavioural sciences. She also held the role of President of the New Zealand Geographical Society (2017 - 2022) and she is the current New Zealand Representative for the International Geographical Union

This Tauranga Public Lecture will be held in Room 2.03, (lecture theatre) on Level Two, University of Waikato Tauranga Campus, starting at 6pm. Light refreshments and viewing of the exhibition will be available from 5.15pm.

Parking is available across the road at the Spring Street Parking Building.

The Tauranga Public Lecture Series is a free community event and open to the public to attend. Registration is essential. PLEASE REGISTER YOUR ATTENDANCE by visiting the website and you will need to present your eticket at the door.