Creative Communities Scheme funding available
Calling all creatives in Waipā! Funding is now open for creative projects throughout the district.
The September round of the Creative Communities Scheme is taking applications for community arts initiatives that help grow and promote local creativity.
Each year Creative New Zealand provides funding to councils for distribution in their area, supporting more than 1,800 projects annually.
Funding can cover materials for arts activities or programmes, venue or equipment hire, personnel or administrative costs for short-term projects and promotion of arts activities.
Waipā District Council strategy and community services group manager, Debbie Lascelles, said the scheme is a fantastic way to uplift local artists and contribute to the wellbeing of residents.
“Taking part in creative activities has a positive impact on health and wellbeing, which is especially important in the current climate.”
Lascelles said it was important for applicants to consider how their projects could safely operate under changing COVID-19 alert levels.
“We’re encouraging our arts community to dream up innovative and creative projects that align with current health restrictions and are accessible to our residents – from online performances to virtual galleries.”
Lascelles said the funding round would go ahead, no matter which alert level the Waikato region was in.
“Our last funding round was held during the nationwide lockdown, and we were thrilled to receive applications for activities like online art workshops and video projects. It just shows that no matter what restrictions apply, creativity can flourish.”
The current funding round is open to projects that run between 1 November 2020 and 31 May 2021.
Each project should focus on at least one of the scheme’s three criteria - access and participation, diversity or young people.
Applications to the September funding round close at 5pm on Wednesday 30 September. After closing, applications are assessed and funding grants are allocated by a committee, consisting of a panel of judges appointed for their knowledge of and experience in local arts.
Application guides and forms are available at waipadc.govt.nz/creativecommunities or from Council offices in Cambridge or Te Awamutu. Completed application forms can be emailed to info@waipadc.govt.nz or dropped off at Council offices.
Photo caption: Kihikihi Primary School received Creative Communities Scheme funding last year for a project involving the creation of seven murals at the school.