Calling all budding art groups

Creative Communities Scheme open for funding applications



Budding local art groups and creative projects across the Coromandel Peninsula are being offered a helping hand with funding from The Creative Communities Scheme.



Applications are now open for eligible projects and any organisation or person with a creative project that fits the criteria is welcome to contact Thames-Coromandel District for information or an application form.



The scheme, backed by Creative New Zealand, aims to increase participation in the arts, broaden the range and diversity of the arts available to communities and enhance and strengthen the local arts sector.



Funding is awarded to projects rather than people undertaking the project and applications must meet one or more of the scheme’s criteria.



Activities that may be funded include events or festivals, arts-related promotional activities, materials for a local arts event or activity, workshops for local artists and art groups, and personnel costs for one-off projects or costs associated with artist-in-residence schemes.



School-based projects that are outside of the school’s normal activities and provide opportunities for community participation or benefits to the wider community are also eligible.



Thames-Coromandel District Council administers the funding based on decisions made by three Community Arts Councils covering the whole peninsula but based in Thames, Whangamata and Coromandel.



A funding application form is available from all council area offices and on the council website www.tcdc.govt.nz under council/grants and funding or by contacting council at Ph 07 868 0200.



There are two funding rounds each year for the Creative Communities Scheme and applications for this first round close on 30 April 2008.