Report on opportunities to grow private funding for the arts
Artspace is very pleased to release a report into private funding opportunities for small to medium scale visual arts
organisations in New Zealand.
Against the backdrop of reduced public funding for visual arts organisations, Artspace Director Caterina Riva recognised
the need for further exploration into and development of funding opportunities from the private sector in New Zealand.
Artspace invited independent consultant Stephanie Post to carry out research that considers the role small-scale visual
art organisations play in the arts ecology of New Zealand, and how these could open up prospects to attract new income
from the private sector.
In the resulting report Post argues a case for support based on the specificity of an organisation such as Artspace, and
the intangible yet seminal contribution that such small-scale organisations make to the social and cultural life of New
Zealand and beyond.
Post moves from existing studies on private sector philanthropy done in New Zealand in 2010 and compares them with
overseas examples and case studies from like-minded organisations primarily from the UK and Australia to illustrate how
they have identified and developed funding opportunities. She also examines how organisations have sought support from
individuals in a number of ways, including: project based support, support through patron programmes and crowd funding
initiatives.
Staying Alive: Some thoughts on opportunities for private funding for small scale visual arts organisations in New
Zealand is now available to the public.
The commission of the report goes hand in hand with the implementation of a new Artspace benefactor programme, which was
launched in April. The programme is designed especially to engage individuals and philanthropic groups, and asks them to
contribute financial support directly towards Artspace’s unique, risk-taking artistic programme.
“Artspace’s Benefactors Programme+ has resulted from a lengthy process, closely examining this organisation, its core
beliefs and its many faceted outputs. We received extremely positive feedback during the launch of this new programme
and were amazed and gratified by the response of the attendees and the early adopters with over $20,000 raised on the
night, which will have a truly significant impact on our work.
"Artspace is a leader in the visual arts sector, committed to producing a risk-taking, free exhibition programme which
builds artists' careers, and we’re thrilled that there is an advocacy group of generous and dedicated people who
recognize this and are willing to support” says Caterina Riva.
Staying Alive: Some thoughts on opportunities for private funding for small scale visual arts organisations in New
Zealand
Written by Stephanie Post
Designed by Amy Yalland, Index
Commissioned by Artspace
Available online http://artspace.org.nz/join/privatefundingreport.asp
More information about the Artspace Benefactors Programme+ is available on the Artspace website http://artspace.org.nz/join/benefactorprogramme.asp
ENDS