Creative way to help local arts talent shine

SUPPORT for local artists: Creative Communities Scheme funding helped Gisborne woman Manuka Luiten-Apirana (right) bring her first play, Lip Sync, Kanikani and Twerk Off, to the stage at last year's Tairawhiti Arts Festival. She was joined in the show by local actor Te Ao o Hinepehinga Rauna (left) and Alex Tunui. Picture supplied

Applications are being taken for the first funding round of the Creative Communities Scheme 2021.

The scheme provides funding for arts-based community projects that support broad participation in arts activities.

Applications are considered by a committee made up of representatives from Gisborne District Council and the arts community.

Committee chairman and district councillor, Larry Foster, says the funding is essential for providing support for local artists and providing opportunities for the community to get involved.

“In 2020, we were able to provide funding to support a diverse range of workshops, events and activities.

“Many of these encouraged our rangatahi (young people) to participate and be exposed to exhibitions, theatre, dance, toi Maori and waiata.”

With funding support, Manuka Luiten-Apirana was able to bring a reading of her first play to the stage at last year's Tairawhiti Arts Festival.

The emerging playwright brought a small cast to Gisborne — including locally-born actress Te Ao o Hinepehinga Rauna — to perform in front of more than 200 people.

Creative Communities funding also supported Off The Canvas — a multi-media exhibition by biographer and filmmaker Lydia Monin about Gisborne boxer Tom Heeney, who fought for the world heavyweight title in New York in 1928.

Close to $44,000 in funding from Creative New Zealand is distributed in Tairawhiti over two rounds each year.

As part of the Government's Arts and Culture Covid Recovery Programme, an additional $10,000 has been added for the 2021 rounds.

Individuals or groups wanting to apply can find the guidelines and application form at gdc.govt.nz/creative-communities-funding/ or the council offices in Fitzherbert Street and Te Puia Springs.

■ Applications close at 5pm on Friday, February 26.