SoundOut a strategic conversation

Community funder ASB Community Trust is turning technology to its advantage and getting first-hand feedback from those in the know on how to maximise the impact of arts grants.

In an innovative first for the Trust, it has joined forces with on-line arts hub The Big Idea to start a discussion about its long-term funding policy to help the arts develop, thrive and grow in Auckland and Northland. It will use The Big Idea’s SoundOut forum to connect, listen and respond to ideas from the arts community.

The Trust is reviewing its arts funding policy to make sure it is meeting its objective of "supporting creative projects and organisations that aim to foster access, engagement and experience in the arts".

Policy Advisor Chloe Harwood says the Trust wanted to try a new approach to engage with the arts sector, to encourage new ideas and conversations.

"This is an opportunity for the arts community to share their ideas about innovative practice in funding the arts to help us consider how we might do things differently.

"We want to be inspired by and learn from other funders and uncover innovation from within NZ and around the world," she says.

The initiative, called SoundOut: A Conversation About Funding, will see Arts Grants Advisor Catherine George joining on-line discussions, monitoring suggestions and responding to questions from October 12-28.

Join the forum at www.thebigidea.co.nz/soundout

Topics so far include:

Funding models and innovative funders: What funding body or model do you rate and why? How could this be applied to Auckland and Northland?

Current issues and challenges: What are your main strategic issues and challenges? What kind of funding initiatives could help?

The future: What is your future-picture for the arts in the year 2020? What would you do if you had $1m to distribute to the arts sector in Northland and Auckland?

Each week a forum summary will be available in a weekly digest and at the end of the forum selected highlights will be distributed to the arts sector.

ENDS