Tairāwhiti performing artists now eligible for excellence awards

Dame Malvina Major Foundation Awards are now available for young performing artists across New Zealand. Dame Malvina is pictured above. Picture supplied

Talented young performing artists here can now join those across the country who are being offered a financial boost thanks to the Dame Malvina Major Foundation.

The Foundation’s Arts Excellence Awards support young New Zealanders of outstanding ability in the classical performing arts who are preparing for a professional career.

Administered by local volunteer committees, the awards have historically only been available to young artists where those committees are based — Auckland/Waikato, Taranaki, Wellington and Christchurch.

Dame Malvina said the foundation was keen to ensure no one missed out on the opportunity for an award due to geography.

As a result the committees will distribute funding for four regions — Upper North Island (north of Taupo and including Gisborne), Lower North Island (Taupo south, including Hawke’s Bay), Taranaki and the South Island.

“We are thrilled to be able to extend the awards to benefit young performing artists across New Zealand. There is so much talent and potential out there,” Dame Malvina said.

The Foundation is now inviting applications from young classical performers (singers and instrumentalists) for its Arts Excellence Awards in the upper North Island, lower North Island and South Island, with up to $10,000 available for distribution among successful applicants in each region. Applications close on June 15, 2023.

Thanks to the Toi Foundation, the Taranaki Committee offers funding opportunities to Taranaki youth involved in the performing arts twice a year, with applications closing on March 31 and September 30.

For more information and to apply, visit www.dmmfoundation.org.nz/grants-scholarships/arts-excellence-awards/