Creative New Zealand to invest $24 million in NZ’s arts organisations
Creative New Zealand will invest $24 million in a wide range of arts organisations from arts festivals, dance and
theatre companies and galleries through to publishers and a website featuring arts criticism, over the next two years.
The Arts Council for Creative New Zealand has agreed its annual funding through its two multi-year investment programmes
Toi Uru Kahikatea (Arts Development) and Toi Tōtara Haemata (Arts Leadership). Combined the programmes fund 88 arts
organisations throughout the country for periods ranging from two to five years.
Seven arts organisations have joined Toi Uru Kahikatea this year including four regional arts organisations. They are
the Govett-Brewster and Sarjeant art galleries, in New Plymouth and Whanganui respectively, and the Tauranga and Dunedin
Arts Festivals.
The Govett-Brewster and Sarjeant art galleries have been supported to provide residencies which allow artists to develop
new work which is then exhibited in their communities. The Govett-Brewster will also offer a curatorial internship and
produce a range of publications.
“We know that a healthy arts sector makes our communities more attractive, prosperous places to live and we’re excited
by the rich arts opportunities these festivals and galleries are offering to residents and visitors alike,” said
Creative New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen Wainwright.
The Tauranga and Dunedin arts festivals will be funded to include New Zealand work in their festival programmes so New
Zealanders can experience more of their own stories. The festivals also provide opportunities for such work to reach
more communities and audiences.
Other arts organisations joining Toi Uru Kahikatea this year are The Pantograph Punch, a website featuring arts
criticism and discussion, Auckland-based home for Māori theatre Te Pou, and the Pacific Islands Dance Fono, which
delivers activities to support the Pacific dance sector.
The Arts Council has also offered funding to 30 other organisations in Toi Uru Kahikatea, either through new contracts
or by extending existing contracts, and has extended the contracts of nine organisations in Toi Tōtara Haemata.
Creative New Zealand will also continue to invest in arts organisations which have existing funding contracts through
the programmes. In the 2018 Creative New Zealand will invest $25.8 million through the programmes compared to $25.1
million in 2017, an increase of 3 percent.
In addition to the investment programmes Creative New Zealand offers grants, a range of fellowships, residencies and
scholarships and opportunities to present work and develop networks, domestically and internationally.
Full lists of funding results for 2017
ends