New funding programmes for Creative NZ

Photo / Kenny Rodger

Creative New Zealand has established two new arts funding programmes after a review of its recurring funding earlier this year.

The new Arts Leadership Investment programme would provide two- to five-year funding for professional arts organisations fulfilling roles in the "creation, presentation and distribution of high-quality arts experiences to New Zealanders", Creative New Zealand said.

The Arts Development Investment programme would offer funding for individuals, groups and organisations between six months and two years, and applicants did not need to fulfil a key arts role.

It would replace the previous Recurrent Funding Programme, which supported one- to three-year recurring investments and had been closed to new entrants since 2007, and the contestable Arts Investment and Sector Investment Programmes.

There were currently 34 organisations supported by Creative New Zealand's Recurrent Funding Programme.

The new programmes would launch in January 2012 and provide more clarity, stability and flexibility in the way Creative New Zealand provided funding, Arts Council of New Zealand chairman Alastair Carruthers said.

"We want to direct our support so talented artists succeed - rather than simply survive - and so New Zealanders can enjoy a diverse range of high-quality art in the future.

"It's also important to make room for new arts organisations to be supported through our multi-year investments."

Creative New Zealand would continue to offer Arts Grants and Quick Response Grants.

The review, the last of three funding programme reviews Creative New Zealand undertook as part of its 2007-2010 strategic plan, identified two other gaps in New Zealand's arts infrastructure.

This year and next, Creative New Zealand would undertake feasibility work into a management company for dance and theatre companies, including Maori and Pasifika dance and theatre, and a Pasifika arts development organisation.

- NZPA