Funding supports arts groups in North Shore City

Arts projects, ranging from a modern interpretation of the passion of Christ to a production of "The Owl and the Pussycat" incorporating sign language for the deaf, are among the arts activities to benefit from the latest round of grants from the Creative Communities Scheme.

North Shore City Council has just distributed more than $46,000 in grants from the central-government funded scheme to 21 local community arts projects being held over the next year.

Other events to receive funds are a retrospective exhibition by printmaker Stanley Palmer to be held at the Mairangi Arts Centre, and a film festival of documentaries, feature and short films made by New Zealand women, while the North Shore Brass Band received money to purchase instruments.

The chairperson of North Shore City's Creative Communities Grants Assessment Subcommittee, Julia Parfitt, says the scheme plays an important part in developing and supporting a rich and varied arts programme in the city.

"North Shore is home to many fine organisations and talented individuals who with their activities and creativity add a vibrancy to our city. These grants support these people, helping both established groups continue with their programmes and emerging artists build a public profile."

The Creative Communities Scheme is a partnership between Creative New Zealand and North Shore City, which aims to increase participation in the arts at a local level, and increase the range and diversity of arts available to communities. Funds from the scheme are distributed twice a year.

Grant recipients this year include Belmont artist Brett Collingwood, who received funds to support his installation representing the passion of Christ, which will be on display in Devonport in June. The installation will feature the 14 Stations of the Cross from the historic Dannevirke Catholic Church, together with music and lighting.

The Mairangi Arts Centre received a grant towards a retrospective exhibition of work by Stanley Palmer covering the years he lived and worked in North Shore City. The exhibition will be held in October.

The Operating Theatre Trust received funds towards its production of The Owl and the Pussycat to be staged at The Pumphouse Theatre during the July school holidays. One show during the production's season will incorporate sign language for the deaf.

Sandi Hall received funds towards a film festival featuring films by New Zealand women film-makers from the 1940s to the present day. The festival will be held at the Berkeley Cinemas in Takapuna in October.

The committee also granted $7000 to both the Westshore Community Arts Council and the Shore Arts Forum, to distribute amounts of up to $500 for further arts projects.

Applications for the next round of funding will be called for shortly. For more information you are invited to visit www.northshorecity.govt.nz or to call Actionline on 486 8600

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