Kāpiti projects get Creative NZ funding

Fourteen creative Kāpiti groups and individuals will benefit from the first of this year’s Creative Communities Scheme funding grants through Creative NZ.

Just over $20,500 has been awarded by Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Grants Allocation Committee on the recommendations of Council’s Creative Communities Committee, which includes community, iwi and youth representatives.

Cr Mark Benton, Acting Chair of the Grants Allocation Committee, says the Creative New Zealand funds are population-based, with a small Council top-up.

He says they will see a wide variety of creative projects on offer to be enjoyed by Kāpiti residents this year. Projects range from music and clay-modelling to theatre and puppetry.

“The recent Kāpiti Music Festival in Raumati and the Jazz Shed programme are among recipients whose projects have already taken place with great responses,” Cr Benton says.

“It’s always a tough process to select from so many worthwhile projects. But it’s also always inspiring to see the increasing number of locally-driven creative programmes appearing every funding round.”

There will be a second grant process later in 2018 with applications closing on 11 July. More information on the grant criteria and how to apply is on the Council’s website.

The successful grant applicants and their projects for this round of the 2017/2018 financial year are:

• Fernando Figueroa Pereira for a music and cultural educational campaign for pre-school and junior classes.
• Connected Media Charitable Trust for a one-day film-making workshop for young people.
• Ōtaki Pottery Club for clay workshops for 8-18 year olds.
• Jazz Shed Music Program for people of all ages.
• Hohepa Quentin Te Aroha Thompson for Ngā Tangata to create a collection of art murals (including whakatauki) in Ōtaki.
• Mahara Gallery Trust for a mid-winter Matariki celebration.
• Workshops led by local artists for Kapanui school children for Matariki textile collages.
• Toro Pikopiko Puppets for rock-art puppet show and rock-art puppetry workshops.
• Kāpiti  Music Festival 2018 - Jazz in the Gardens.
• House of Sound Music Academy - Bright Lights music competition for 8-18 year olds.
• Mary Catherine Gow for the Mulled Wine classical music concerts in Paekākāriki.
• Kāpiti Youth Orchestra workshop weekend at Kāpiti College.
• Kāpiti  Coast Photographic Society for the Photographer's Eye two-yearly exhibition.
• Katrina Louise Burney for ‘The Bird People’ documentary about local guardians of Kāpiti Coast's birds.
• Ann Chapman and Penny Gaylor for Heroines, Hussies and High High Flyers Theatrical Event - a new play by Renée celebrating 125 years of Women’s Suffrage.                                    

About the scheme

Creative New Zealand set the criteria, and provide the standard application form and guide.

The three main funding criteria are:

1. Broad community involvement – the project will create opportunities for our local communities to engage with and participate in arts activities.
2. Diversity – The project will support the diverse arts and cultural traditions of our 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.