Creative Communities NZ - Local Arts Funding Scheme

Are you involved in an arts project, festival, performance or workshop?

If so, Hastings District Council along with Creative Communities New Zealand are giving you the opportunity to apply for funding in the arts.

The purpose of the Creative Communities Scheme is to increase participation in arts in the Hastings district and increase the range and diversity of arts available to communities.

About the scheme

Hastings District Council administers the Creative Communities Scheme, which is funded by Creative New Zealand. Creative New Zealand is a central government agency and is New Zealand’s main organisation for funding of the arts.

The purpose of the Creative Communities Scheme is to increase participation in arts in the Hastings district and increase the range and diversity of arts available to communities.

There are two funding rounds per year - March and September.

Decisions made: Council's Assessment Committee will meet to finalise recommendations for funding two weeks after the close-off date.

Application forms

Applications are now open for the February 2012 funding round.

• Application form (PDF 64kB)
  
• Guide for applicants (PDF 245kB)
• Glossary (PDF 268kB)
  
• Project Report Form March 2011 (PDF 38kB)

Who can apply?

You can apply for funding through Creative New Zealand as long as your project meets all of the following:

• Have an arts or cultural focus
• Take place within the Hastings district and/or benefit the district
• Meet at least one of the three funding criteria (listed below)
• Benefit local communities
• Not have started before an application or funding is assessed
• Not have been funded by Creative New Zealand for the same purpose

Criteria

Creative New Zealand has three funding criteria for this scheme. They are:

1. Broad community involvement
   The project will create opportunities for local communities to engage with and participate in arts activities
2. Diversity
   The project will support the diverse arts and cultural traditions of local communities, enriching and promoting their uniqueness and cultural diversity.
3. Young people
   The project will enable and encourage young people (under 18 years) to engage with and actively participate in the arts.

The allocation of any funding for Creative New Zealand requires 30% of the total cost of the project to be met by the applicant.

Activities that will not be funded

• Facility development i.e. the cost of buildings or items necessary to make a facility functional such as plumbing, floor coverings, furnishings, whiteware or equipment
• The purchase of art works for galleries or communities
• Ongoing administration costs that are not directly related to a specific project
• Projects already started before the Committee's decision date
• Projects that have already received Creative New Zealand funding
• Elimination of accumulated deficit or debt servicing
• Catering costs or fundraising costs
• Applications from groups which have not returned Accountability Forms from previous funding
• Arts activities in education institutions normally funded through their curriculum and operating budgets

Types of activities which could be funded

• Exhibitions, installation and performances
• Arts-related promotional activities
• Materials for an arts event or activity
• Seminars, workshops for local artists and arts groups
• Costs associated with artist in residence schemes
• Events or festivals
• Personnel costs for one-off, short term projects
• Dance that has an arts and culture focus, for example, ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary dance, taiaha, highland dancing, cultural dance, rock 'n roll. Dance that focuses on fitness, for example, aerobics, line dancing, is considered a sport
• School-based projects that are outside of the school's normal activities provide opportunities for community participation or provide benefits for the wider community

Assessing your application

Council's Assessment Committee meet two weeks after the round's closing date. Decisions will be notified by mail within seven working days.

We assess the applications on the criteria mentioned above, plus the following:

• Quality of the project
• Artistic merit
• Impact on the local arts community
• Your ability to make it happen
• Good project planning and budgeting
• Level of financial need
• Not business-as-usual or ongoing operational expenses, and
• Financial risk where a project cannot be fully funded

How much can I apply for?

Because demand is always high, the average grant made is usually less than $2,000.

If you need to apply for over $8,000 you should consider discussing your project with Creative New Zealand to see if it qualifies for national funding. Visit Creative New Zealand's website, or  info@creativenz.govt.nz

Successful applicants

Successful Applicants to the September 2011 Creative Communities Funding Round

Contact

Contact the Scheme Administrator at the Council if you have any questions about Creative Communities on 06-871-5048, or contact Vicki Berkahn, Economic & Social Development Co-ordinator at vickib@hdc.govt.nz