Hutt Valley artists and events supported by Creative Communities

Young people in the Hutt Valley are set to benefit from a series of opportunities ranging from a project teaching traditional Maori carving in Wainuiomata to a film-making workshop focused on sustainability thanks to the success of local art groups in the recent Creative Communities Scheme funding round.

The Scheme exists to encourage people to lead and actively participate in art and cultural activities in their community.

Among the successful applicants was Koraunui School, who applied for funding to assist with the staging of the annual Polyfest performances at Walter Nash Stadium in Taita. This performing arts showcases for local school children has gone from strength to strength, with 20 schools wanting to take part in 2015.

Also successful in their application for funding was Chamber Music Hutt Valley, who in 2015 are trialling a week-long residency 'Play it up!' in Lower Hutt with the Mimosa Ensemble, a group of outstanding young New Zealand musicians. Budding musicians at Lower Hutt schools will have the opportunity to learn from these inspiring young musicians, who are all currently pursuing further study at European music schools.

The passing on of skills is also supported through a grant to the Hutt Valley Cook Islands Association for a series of workshops focused on tivaevae (traditional Cook Islands quilting). Examples of the work by tutors for the workshops are currently on show at Te Papa in the acclaimed exhibition ‘Tivaevae: Out of the Glory Box’.

The Creative Communities Scheme fund is provided by Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa and administered by Hutt City Council to support and encourage local communities to create and present diverse opportunities for accessing and participating in arts activities in the Hutt City.

Applications are assessed by a panel made up of arts organisations and practitioners from Hutt City. The committee had $35,000 to distribute. Seventeen groups and individuals applied for a total of $76,648 in funding.

7th September 2013 - CREATIVE NEW ZEALAND AWARDS $19.5 MILLION TO THE ARTS