Rotorua community arts projects awarded funding

Peter Moss shares his ukulele talents with the crowd. Photo courtesy of The Thermaleles

A total of $31,411.69 has been awarded to 20 arts projects across the Rotorua district in the latest funding round of the Rotorua Creative Communities Scheme.

This round of applications included photography, music and dance, sculpture, kapa haka, printmaking, cartooning, pen, pencil and watercolour, theatre, art exhibitions, sculpting workshop, pottery, portraiture and storytelling from a diverse range of cultural traditions including Filipino, Scottish, Japanese, Chinese, Maori and Pakeha.

"A variety of art forms was included in these applications, and it's fantastic to see so many projects that will create opportunities in the community, including for young people, to get involved in the arts," said Creative Communities Rotorua assessment committee chairwoman Diana Beattie.

The fund has enabled some interesting projects this past year and the committee is looking forward to seeing the Rotorua Yarnbombers' recently crocheted Giant Doily, after it is installed near the foot pools in Kuirau Park on December 3. The doily wasn't crocheted with cotton and hook, but with industrial rope on human arms.

More than 145 people attended Rotorua Creative Communities Scheme-supported concerts and workshops for local ukulele enthusiasts. Attendees were able to experience the magic of ukulele and learn from top New Zealand and United Kingdom talent. The Nukes from Auckland shared their quirky original music and Peter Moss from the UK blew their socks off with a range of songs including the 1812 Overture. Rotorua's own ukulele band, The Thermaleles, supported each event.

Rotorua Creative Communities administrator Julie Parsons loves being involved with the Creative Communities Scheme and seeing all the different approaches to creativity in our community.

"As well as administering the scheme locally I can offer support in completing applications. Often people need help to understand how to put a successful application together or even think through the feasibility of their creative idea and this is something I can help with.

"One application that has excited me this round is from the Essence of the Pacific Early Learning Centre. Their project is to seek out and capture Pacifica stories from the elder whanau and incorporate them into their education programme using puppetry, songs, masks, artwork and documenting them for the future before they are lost," said Parsons.

About the scheme

Rotorua Creative Communities Scheme is a partnership between Creative New Zealand and Rotorua Lakes Council. Its main focus is to stimulate and provide support to arts projects which:

•encourage community engagement and participation in the arts
•support the diverse artistic cultural traditions of the local community, and
•enable and encourage young people to engage with and actively participate in the arts

The Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) offers two opportunities for funding each year - in March and September. The next funding round for Rotorua Creative Communities, will open on February 1, 2018 and close on March 6, 2018.

Applications must be for arts projects which have not yet started and will be completed within 12 months of funding being received. Previous applicants are welcome to apply, but will only be considered if their previous project accountability reports have been received.

For more information about Rotorua Creative Communities visit www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/creativecommunities.

Alternatively contact the Rotorua Creative Communities administrator Julie Parsons. Email: Julie.parsons@rotorualc.nz or call (07) 351 7823.

Rotorua projects funded in the October 2017 grant round:

St Chads Communication Centre - June HutchisonBirds of ParadiseConstruction of three-dimensional birds of paradise using wire netting, papier mache

Winifred's Lane -David WhorwoodPrint making workshops x12learn the basics of screen printing and printmaking workshop for kids

Maggie CovellBadass Women A-Z Exhibition

Nicola Wright and Rebecca MooreFlight or FightInteractive seniors workshop using air dry clay and gallery visit

Joanne BlackJoanne Black Art Workshops6-10 workshops facilitating art out at schools - cyanotype print making

Gareth AndrewsWood Clay and BronzeCombining ceramics wood and bronze in a personal interpretation of the Japanese aesthetic philosophy of Wabi-sabi

George Andrews and Toni ArmstrongPortraitsTo explore and capture images of a person or group of people in the community or other trough paint

Rotorua Arts Village Trust- Mary-Beth AcresArt in the ParkAn annual event held in the Government Gardens. Free family event show casing local artists, musicians

Rotorua Arts Village Trust- Mary-Beth AcresOpen Studios

City of Rotorua Highland Pipe Band - Julie ClarkRNZPBA National ChampionshipsNational Pipe Band Championships

BOP Philippine Friendship Soc Inc - Cherry AndrewsCultural and Talent Variety EveningShowcase and learn Filipino cultural dances and talent, song, instruments, dances

Ohinemutu Kapa Haka - Rongopai MaxwellOhinemutu Kapa Haka Campaign Creation and performance of a 25 min Kapa haka bracket for Te Arawa Regional Kapa Haka competition

Essence of the Pacific Early Early Learning Centre - Sheela RaoTelling Our StoriesSeek out Pacifica stories from elder, whanau and written material. Share stories utilising puppetry, songs, masks, artwork & props.

Rotorua Children's Art HouseCartoon drawing workshop, printmaking workshop, gallery set upTwo 10 week workshops teaching cartooning and printmaking for youth aged 12-18. Setting up a permanent display system in the Rotorua Children's Art House Gallery

Rotorua Community Youth Centre Trust - Steve HolmesRotorua Youth Centre Creative Arts Programme Series - Hip HopA series of creative arts projects to inspire and upskill young people in a variety of creative and performing arts.

Rotorua Community Youth Centre Trust - Steve HolmesRotorua Youth Centre Creative Arts Programme Series - Graffiti ArtA series of creative arts projects to inspire and upskill young people in a variety of creative and performing arts.

Geyserland Art Group - Linda LongTwo Day Workshop - Australian ArtistPen, pencil, watercolour Cees Sliedrecht

Rotorua Little Theatre - Linda LongRobin HoodA comedy pantomime written by member of theatre

Rotorua Little Theatre - Linda LongKindly Leave the StageA comedy play written by John Chapman

Central North Island Kindergarten Trust T/A Fairview Park Kindergarten - Julie Grady

Tiana WalkerFairview Park Kindergarten Wall MuralMural created by local artists, children, whanau and community to represent links to Mt Ngongotaha and legends of our area

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