Arts projects boosted by Council investment

30 arts projects totalling $100,239 were supported through the Arts and Culture Fund at Council’s Economic Growth and Arts Committee last week.

A broad range of projects from writing events, exhibitions and galleries, performance, and choirs were selected and includes Arts Wellington, Aotearoa Aerial Theatre Company, Tu Moves youth dance project, Wellington Youth Orchestra and the Enjoy Public Art Gallery.

Our love of film and movies was reflected in support for the New Zealand Film Festival, the Deaf Short Film Festival, Documentary Edge and the Latin American and Spanish film festivals.

Earlier in the month 23 community arts projects totalling $75,959 were supported through the Creative Communities Funding Scheme, a fund through which local Councils distribute grants on behalf of Creative New Zealand.

Councillor Ray Ahipene-Mercer says: “It’s great to see so many organisations coming to Council for funding to make their projects happen. There are significant funding issues emerging across the arts sector. There is strong support amongst Councillors for us to consider increasing funding and we will be making decisions on this during May deliberations.”

A commitment was also made at the Economic Growth and Arts Committee to support 12 organisations with ongoing multi-year contract funding from 1 July 2015. These organisations support Council’s outcomes and policies around arts and events, and are a strong part of Wellington’sarts infrastructure.

The closing date for the next Arts and Culture fund is 7 July 2015 for projects starting four weeks later. The next Creative Communities Funding scheme round closes at the end of August.

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