More money for arts in the creative capital

This is the first of three rounds that make up the Arts and Culture Fund in the 2016-17 financial year and it’s one of the biggest allocations Councillors have distributed to the arts community in a single round. 

Acting Mayor Justin Lester says: “When the 2016/17 Annual plan was adopted, Council increased the amount available from this fund to reinforce Wellington’s reputation as the creative capital. We have to walk the walk!”

The 34 projects that received funding were agreed unanimously by Councillors during yesterday’s Economic Growth and Arts Committee meeting. 

Councillor Jo Coughlan, Chair of the Economic Growth and Arts Committee, says: “I’m tremendously proud of what this Committee has achieved and the projects we’ve funded.

“Wellington is bursting at the seams with talented creatives, we want to make our city a place where their work can flourish."  

Arts Portfolio Leader Councillor Ray Ahipene-Mercer told Councillors requests from the arts community for funding and venue support continue to overwhelm the Council.

“This round allocation goes some way to address this but long-term funding of the Arts and Culture Fund will need to be increased.” 

“The Committee meeting this morning started with a discussion about Wellington’s global reputation. Art and culture is an area in which we can really stand out and differentiate ourselves – but it needs increased funding to happen.”

Wellington City Council supports projects that best fit the following four focus areas: the city as a hothouse for talent, Wellington as a region of confident identities, active and engaged people, and our creative future through technology. 

The exact amount allocated was $141,235, which went to a mixture of emerging and well-known artists working on a variety of events and projects. 

These include: 

• Everybody Cool Lives Here Trust Board – for “CityZenKane Public Artwork and Community Workshop”, which is part of the 2017 Vivid festival (see sculpture image included). 
• A Slightly Isolated Dog Limited – to tour their theatre production of Don Juan around Wellington.  
• Arts Wellington, Wellington Regional Art and Cultural Development Trust – for Arts Wellington Strategic Forums, which create a local arts network and provide advocacy and professional development opportunities. 
• Friends of Old St Paul’s – to do winter lunchtime concerts at little or no cost to the public. 
• Theatre Awards Trust – for the Wellington Theatre Awards, which is an important event for the arts community and an opportunity to recognise some of Wellington’s talent. 

The closing date for applications for funding from the next round of the Arts and Culture Fund is 28 October 2016. Find out more at: http://wellington.govt.nz/services/community-and-culture/funding.

For further information contact:
Celestina Sumby, Council Communications: celestina.sumby@wcc.govt.nz, 021 247 9740

The full list of grants made: