Funds boost for Auckland creatives

Kyra Clarke delicately turns the pages of her award-winning design magazine, Threaded. The bi-annual publication, which she founded while still a student at Unitec, profiles the work of students and professionals.

It has been responsible for launching young artists into the commercial field. The publication has also provided the opportunity for students to work as interns with the magazine and on design campaigns.

"When I started out, there was no publication showcasing students' work. We try to be like a podium," says the designer, who also art-directs, sells, prints and manages the publication in which fashion designers such as Cybele Wiren and street artists Cut Collective have featured alongside emerging talents.

Around Mrs Clarke's neck hangs an exquisite huia feather pendant made by Auckland jeweller Ross Malcolm. It's a symbol of her latest achievement as a recipient of a grant from the Arts Regional Trust Venture.

Mrs Clarke, 31, is among 12 creative entrepreneurs selected from 50 hopefuls striving to contribute to the region's burgeoning arts community creatively and economically.

From composers to playwrights, to theatre company directors, the winners will receive up to $35,000 each to help further their work through an accelerator programme funded by the trust.

The trust's project director, Candy Elsmore, says the grants are unique and, for some recipients, have been crucial boosts in hard financial times.

"We have significantly helped a number of people. There are several we've helped survive and grow in tough economic times," says Ms Elsmore.

The programme, in its fourth year, includes a year of mentoring and workshops at which recipients learn how to develop effective business models to expand their projects.

Last year Mrs Clarke won Designer of the Year at the Magazine Publishers Association awards, beating every other magazine published in New Zealand.

"We were up against the superstars. We're just a little independent and such a niche small publication."

Despite its size and specific market, the magazine, produced in K Road, has gone global and has also led to the development of graphic design company Threaded Media.

"For a lot of creative entrepreneurs, you just get out and do it. But it's about having that business sense, too. The Arts Venture grant can hopefully help give the magazine more structure and management," she says.

Former recipient Justin Lewis, of Indian Ink theatre company, says the trust's accelerator programme is responsive and forward-thinking.

"I would describe the programme as visionary and have no doubt that the value it places on human capital and the ability of key individuals to make a profound impact on the cultural and economic wealth of Auckland will pay dividends for many years to come."

Investing in the arts

The Arts Regional Trust, TeTaumata Toi-a-iwi, began in 2000 as a joint venture between the former Auckland City and Manukau City councils after Auckland Regional Services Trust was disestablished, with a funding pot of $6 million.

Over the past 12 years the  trust has invested more than $2.1 million in the region's arts, culture and creative industries and grown the funding to $8.5 million.