Creative New Zealand awards $5.2 million for arts development

A diverse and vibrant range of arts projects ranging from Pacific musical theatre to multi-media arts, have gained more than $5 million in funding through Creative New Zealand's Toi Uru Kahikatea (Arts Development Investment) programme.

31 organisations from around the country, spanning dance and performing arts, literature, festivals, music, theatre and visual arts have been awarded a total of $5,254,447.

There are 12 new entrants to Creative New Zealand's Toi Uru Kahikatea programme, including Christchurch Arts Festival Trust; Auckland-based Pacific Theatre company, Kila Kokonut Krew; the Basement Theatre Trust, an Auckland venue supporting emerging artists; and Circuit, an online platform for moving image work.

Creative New Zealand Chief Executive, Stephen Wainwright explains "we are pleased to see a strong group of new entrants into this important arts development programme.

"This investment will allow some young companies to step up and provides a level of certainty for a diverse range of arts enterprises across the country.''

"It is heartening to see the new work by existing clients which has also attracted increased levels of funding. Okareka Dance Company, for example, will develop and tour new works, and Dunedin's Blue Oyster Arts Trust will enhance their exhibition and publication programme."

The 2013 funding programme represents a broad range of artforms and wide geographic spread throughout New Zealand, Wainwright added.

Toi Uru Kahikatea provides funding to established New Zealand arts practitioners, groups and arts organisations for one to three years, to support ongoing activities and infrastructure. The programme is offered once a year.

19 of the 31 successful applicants are existing clients who have applied for ongoing funding through the programme. This includes including eight organisations previously on one-year funding agreements that have now been offered multi-year funding.

In addition to the 31 successful applicants in this year's funding round, a further 25 organisations already receive funding through the programme because in 2011 they were awarded funding for 2012 and 2013. In total, more than $9 million will be invested in 56 arts organisations next year.

Toi Uru Kahikatea supports established arts practitioners, groups and arts organisations to:

• Develop professional skills, resources and networks

• Develop, present, tour and/or distribute New Zealand arts to a wide range of audiences within New Zealand and overseas

• Strengthen organisational development.

This year, Creative New Zealand received 49 applications for this competitive and highly contested programme. The total amount of funding being sought by applicants was $12.6 million over three years.

The Toi Uru Kahikatea programme was one of two new complementary programmes introduced in 2011 to replace previous Recurrent Funding, Arts Investment and Sector investment programmes.

30th November 2010 - SURPRISE $500,000 GIFT FOR NZ ARTS FOUNDATION