Auckland City Council

Council's Advocacy Committee wants the Government to make more funding available for regional community arts activities in Auckland.
Chairperson of the committee, Councillor Richard Northey, says that under the present Creative Communities scheme, community arts projects in the region are being disadvantaged for several reasons.

"These include having to apply to at least two, and often up to four, different committees for funding for activities which benefit the whole Auckland region, uncoordinated application closing dates and insufficient funding being made available.

"The funding levels for the arts, after four years of operation, are still only a fraction of the levels granted to sporting groups.

"This is particularly relevant in the Auckland area, where a number of large projects cause a significant and ongoing drain on funds.

These funds also need to be used for supporting local community art groups coming from a wide range of ethnic groups and art forms.

Three councillors from the City Advocacy Committee will meet with Creative New Zealand to discuss the issue and seek ways to allocate more funding in the Auckland area.

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