A total of $31,411.69 has been awarded to 20 arts projects across the Rotorua district in the latest funding round of the Rotorua Creative Communities Scheme.
This round of applications included photography, music and dance, sculpture, kapa haka, printmaking, cartooning, pen, pencil and watercolour, theatre, art exhibitions, sculpting workshop, pottery, portraiture and storytelling from a diverse range of cultural traditions including Filipino, Scottish, Japanese, Chinese, Maori and Pakeha.
"A variety of art forms was included in these applications, and it's fantastic to see so many projects that will create opportunities in the community, including for young people, to get involved in the arts," said Creative Communities Rotorua assessment committee chairwoman Diana Beattie.
The fund has enabled some interesting projects this past year and the committee is looking forward to seeing the Rotorua Yarnbombers' recently crocheted Giant Doily, after it is installed near the foot pools in Kuirau Park on December 3. The doily wasn't crocheted with cotton and hook, but with industrial rope on human arms.
More than 145 people attended Rotorua Creative Communities Scheme-supported concerts and workshops for local ukulele enthusiasts. Attendees were able to experience the magic of ukulele and learn from top New Zealand and United Kingdom talent. The Nukes from Auckland shared their quirky original music and Peter Moss from the UK blew their socks off with a range of songs including the 1812 Overture. Rotorua's own ukulele band, The Thermaleles, supported each event.
Rotorua Creative Communities administrator Julie Parsons loves being involved with the Creative Communities Scheme and seeing all the different approaches to creativity in our community.
"As well as administering the scheme locally I can offer support in completing applications. Often people need help to understand how to put a successful application together or even think through the feasibility of their creative idea and this is something I can help with.
"One application that has excited me this round is from the Essence of the Pacific Early Learning Centre. Their project is to seek out and capture Pacifica stories from the elder whanau and incorporate them into their education programme using puppetry, songs, masks, artwork and documenting them for the future before they are lost," said Parsons.
About the scheme
Rotorua Creative Communities Scheme is a partnership between Creative New Zealand and Rotorua Lakes Council. Its main focus is to stimulate and provide support to arts projects which:
