Kaharoa School children and art work created following funding received from Rotorua Creative Communities Scheme in last funding round. Photo / Supplied
Kaharoa School children and art work created following funding received from Rotorua Creative Communities Scheme in last funding round. Photo / Supplied
Following the latest Rotorua Creative Communities Scheme funding round, a total of $27,500 was awarded to 20 arts projects across the Rotorua district.
Creative Communities Rotorua Assessment Committee chairwoman Diana Beattie said the successful projects included story-telling, music events, visual arts, cultural arts, music and performing arts, community art installations and a new young writers' conference.
"This application round has been really exciting with a very high standard of creative ideas presented."
In the most recent funding round, 30 applications for funding were received, requesting more than $72,000.
The Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) offered two opportunities for funding each year and this funding was invaluable in supporting local arts initiatives.
In the previous round Kaharoa School were recipients of funding which allowed them to engage resident artist Joanne Black to develop confidence in art for their students during their biennial "Art Week".
Kaharoa School children and art work created following funding received from Rotorua Creative Communities Scheme in last funding round. Photo / Supplied
Black taught children about different types of media, and explored their creative side, with work inspired by famous artists. To celebrate the children's hard work Kaharoa School put on an exhibition opening night showcasing the artworks created on the theme "Our Wonderful Earth".
Creative Communities Rotorua is a partnership between Creative New Zealand and Rotorua Lakes Council.
Its main focus is to stimulate and provide support to arts and culture projects which: • encourage community engagement and participation in the arts; • support the diversity and cultural traditions of local communities, enriching and promoting their uniqueness and cultural diversity; • enable and encourage young people to engage with and actively participate in the arts.
The next funding round for Rotorua Creative Communities, subject to funding from Creative New Zealand, will open February 1, and close on March 6, next year.
"The scheme offers a real opportunity for arts projects to receive the support needed to turn an idea into a success," Creative Communities Scheme administrator Julie Parsons said.
Parsons had also offered her support to those who would like help with their applications.
Applications must be for arts projects not yet started but to be delivered in the Rotorua district within 12 months of funding.
Projects funded in the November 2018 grant round: • Visions of a Helping Hand Organisation - Mana Wahine - Designing and printing personal identity artwork: $500
• Young New Zealand Writers - Young Writers Day Out - A full day writing conference with a selection of writing workshops for young writers: $1700
• Riley Claxton - Stranger in a Strange land - A concertina photobook inspired by Rotorua, the place: $805
• Rotorua Arts Village - Art in the Park Feb 2019 - Art festival/market: $1680
• Rotorua Arts Village - Open Studios Project - A six-week artist studio residency: $2000
• Sunset Primary School - School Boundary Front Fenceline Upgrade - Student community created art panels for the front boundary fenceline: $1300
• The Travelling Tuataras - Light and Shadow Puppet Community Art Project - Community developed shadow puppet performance pieces from go to wow: $1500
• Waiti Productions Ltd - "Ko Tō Ake Kōrero - Your Own Story" Māori Theatre Wānanga - A Māori theatre making workshop on devising, writing and producing your own theatre piece: $1093
