Creative Communities funding round under way

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Gisborne District Council’s Creative Communities scheme is looking for community events to get behind.

Every year the council opens two rounds of funding for projects with arts-based outcomes — the first in February and again in August.

The first round of funding for 2024 is under way.

Applications are supposed to be in by the last Friday of the month — which would have been today — but the deadline  has been extended to Thursday, February 29.

“It’s a small but useful fund for those who need a bit of a financial lift that could make a difference between an art project going ahead or stopping in its tracks,” council cultural activities manager Pene Walsh said.

“The fund is perfect for those people who wouldn’t necessarily apply to Creative NZ but still need a leg-up, nonetheless.”

Twice a year she and four others on the assessment committee go through the applications for the Creative Communities funding, which has $42,000 available each year to distribute over the two grant periods.

“It’s a very small putea (fund) for the whole community. Sometimes we’re not able to help with the whole amount, but even a contribution can help get these events off the ground.”

Grants are usually under $2000 and until June 2024 applications can still include funding for tools, thanks to Creative NZ making this exception for those areas severely impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle last year.

Ms Walsh said she admired those who applied as a bit of effort was involved.

“You never know what you’re going to get.”

Recipients from the last general funding round were —

Evolution Theatre for its production Beachfront Reality; Gisborne Centre Stage for its production Jersey Boys; Gizzy Local for the exhibition Tāwhirimatea a Tūmatauenga; Merle Walker for Kura Toi workshops; Raukura Natives for a Taonga Puoro workshop; Steph Barnett for Love Your Blood; Strive Rehabilitation for Brush Strokes; Zane Sabour for Kaiti murals with rangatahi; Anapera Graham for a whakapapa mural.

Grant recipients for a one-off fund for arts festivals impacted by Covid-19 over the last five years were —

Cheryl Scott for She Sheds; Gisborne Competition Society for Gisborne Festival of the Arts; Sarah Cleave for Noise Vacancy; Tairāwhiti Cultural Festival and Events for Japan Day; Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council – Diwali Festival of Lights

Criteria considered for funding is —

Broad community involvement: The project creates opportunities for local communities to engage with and take part in arts activities.

Diversity: The project supports the diverse arts and cultural traditions of local communities, enriching and promoting their uniqueness and cultural diversity.

Young people: The project enables and encourages young people (under 18 years) to engage with and actively participate in the arts.

For more information on the funding scheme go to tinyurl.com/5atscfhm