NEWS RELEASE
16 December 2010

Capital arts groups make funding programme

Mayor Celia Wade-Brown has congratulated Wellington arts organisations which have earned a place in Creative New Zealand’s new Arts Leadership Investment programme.

Ten of 22 bodies so far confirmed in the programme are Wellington-based. Six other Wellington organisations have been asked to provide more information.

Mayor Wade-Brown said: “The Council congratulates all the Wellington-based organisations accepted into the Arts Leadership Investment programme.

“The criteria for the programme were extensive and required the organisation to be operating to the highest standards. It is an excellent outcome for Wellington, the arts capital, that 10 of the 22 organisations confirmed in the programme are based here.

“These are in addition to Te Papa, the NZSO, Te Matatini, the Royal New Zealand Ballet and other cultural bodies based in Wellington, which are funded through the Ministry for Culture & Heritage.”

Wellington City Council is offering help to the six organisations which were asked for more information.

Cr Ray Ahipene-Mercer, Arts and Culture Portfolio Leader, said: “We are confident a number of them will be confirmed in the programme when the final decisions are made in August.”

Two Wellington organisations were told they did not qualify, and Council officers are meeting them to discuss the implications for their work. Cr Ahipene-Mercer said: “Any groups which are not accepted will be able to apply to another new CNZ programme, the Arts Development Investment programme.”

The Arts Leadership Investment (Toi Tōtara Haemata) programme offers support for between two and five years to organisations CNZ regards as well-run, financially sound and able to play leadership roles in the production of high-quality New Zealand arts experiences.

The Arts Development Investment (Toi Uru Kahikatea) programme provides funding from six months to two years for organisations, groups and individuals that create high-quality work, and/or foster skills, resources and networks.

The successful Wellington groups are: BATS Theatre; Chamber Music New Zealand; DANZ – Dance Aotearoa New Zealand; Capital E – National Theatre for Children and Wellington Children’s Festival; New Zealand Book Council; New Zealand International Arts Festival; New Zealand String Quartet; Playmarket; Taki Rua Productions; and Toi Māori Aotearoa. Also accepted was NBR New Zealand Opera, which is Auckland-based but has a Wellington office.

Arts Access Aotearoa; Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand; Circa Theatre; Downstage Theatre; Footnote Dance; and Vector Wellington Orchestra were asked to provide further information.

ENDS

© Scoop Media