Funding scheme vital support for arts in the community

A multi-media touring exhibition and a dance performance in a suburban pool are just two of the projects that have been helped by Creative Communities Scheme grants.

The scheme assists a wide range of activities including craft, dance, literature, Ngā Toi Māori, music, film, Pacific arts, theatre and visual arts.

Funding applications for the Christchurch Creative Communities Scheme are now open until 24 August for projects commencing after 1 November 2021.

A recent work helped by the scheme was a collaboration between dance choreographer Julia Harvie and sound and visual artist Olivia Webb. Community choreographic event POOLSIDE took place in the emptied out Waltham Pool during the winter solstice last month.

“I was surprised at how open people were to the work, including the fact that we were asking them to come and sit outside in the dark on literally the shortest day of the year!” Ms Harvie says.

Having support from funding schemes like Creative Communities means a lot.

“It costs money to make work; there is a team that needs to get remunerated. We do not want to put all the costs into our ticket price - we want this to be accessible and affordable for people so funding goes a way towards helping us keep ticket prices down.”

Another project to receive a grant is currently showing at Tūranga Central Library: touring exhibition Woven Women showcases personal stories from Māori women using photographs and sound stories.

A pōwhiri in each city opens the exhibition and creator Loren Pasquier says this has been a beautiful part of the exhibition. “It gets the local iwi and the community together so it’s always a special event and a real highlight.”

Woven Women is on at Tūranga until 31 July when it moves to Dunedin, Invercargill, Hokitika and on to the North Island.

Christchurch Creative Communities Scheme is a Creative NZ fund managed by the Christchurch City Council. To see the criteria or make an application visit the Council website. 

Pictured above: image from the Woven Women exhibition opening powhiri with Ngai Tuahuriri at Tūranga on 3 July.