Rotorua Lakes Council looking for creative ideas

220814sp2 Rotorua District Council building. 22 August 2014 Daily Post photograph by Stephen Parker RGP 06Dec14 - DIFFERING VIEWS: Another mixed bag of support for the Rotorua Lakes Council name c

Rotorua arts groups and individuals with creative projects are encouraged to apply to Rotorua Lakes Council's $28,000 Creative Communities grants scheme for funding.

Creative Communities Rotorua is a partnership between central government agency Creative New Zealand and the council, aimed at helping community programmes across the district which encourage participation in arts activities.

A workshop at 5.30pm on Wednesday at Rotorua Youth Centre will provide an opportunity for creative ideas and projects to be explored and to help Rotorua people develop their projects so they to meet the funding criteria.

Council's Creative Communities Portfolio lead, Councillor Glenys Searancke, said the funding provided a real opportunity for more local people to become involved in the creative arts.

"The fund supports projects that help local communities to participate in local arts activities. It helps promote the artistic cultural traditions of local communities and enables young people to get involved in the arts.

"We would love to support those groups and individuals who make a valuable contribution to our community, and I encourage them to apply for funding to help ease their load."

Mrs Searancke said projects which had received funding in the past include festivals, exhibitions, public artworks, artists in residence programmes and performances.

The closing date for applications from groups or individuals planning arts projects within the next 12 months is 25 September 25.

The successful applications will be announced in November.

Application forms are available from the council Customer Centre, Rotorua Library, and online at rotorualakescouncil.nz.

Anyone interested in attending Wednesday's workshop will need to register by emailing Carole Parker at Rotorua Lakes Council on carole.parker@rotorualc.nz, or by telephoning her on (07) 351 8115.