Almost $25,000 awarded for Rotorua arts initiatives

A total of $24,465 has been awarded to 16 arts projects across the Rotorua district following the latest Rotorua Creative Communities Scheme funding round.

Creative Communities Rotorua Assessment Committee chairwoman Diana Beattie said the successful projects included craft, dance, music scholarships, arts events, cultural days, music and performing arts competitions, community art installations and a new crime writer's festival.

"There have been some exciting applications in this funding round, including some innovative ideas for arts knowledge exchange and new ways for the Rotorua community to get creative," she said.

In the most recent funding round, a total of 22 applications for funding were received requesting more than $55,000.

Creative Communities Rotorua is a partnership between Creative New Zealand and Rotorua Lakes Council.

Its main focus to stimulate and provide support to arts and culture projects which encourage community involvement, support the diversity and cultural traditions of local communities, enriching and promoting their uniqueness and cultural diversity, and enable and encourage young people to engage with and actively participate in the arts.

The Creative Communities Scheme offers two opportunities for funding each year in March and September. The next funding round for Rotorua Creative Communities, subject to Creative NZ providing funding, will open August 1 and close on September 26.

Local Creative Communities Scheme administrator Julie Parsons is available to help creatives with their applications.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for locals with an artistic passion to make their dreams a reality," she said.

Applications must be for arts projects not yet started but to be delivered in the Rotorua district within 12 months of funding.

Visit www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/creativecommunities for information and application forms or contact Julie Parsons Julie.parsons@rotorualc.nz