North Shore City has a rich cultural community and the council supports the arts community in a range of practical ways and provides and administers various funds designed to encourage the display or performance of local and visiting artists.
Arts and cultural grants increase arts participation on the Shore
More than $50,000 worth of grants money has been allocated towards arts and cultural activities in North Shore City, through the latest round of Creative Communities Scheme funding.
The grants, which are the second round of 2009/2010 Creative Communities project funding, were allocated by North Shore City Council’s Grants Subcommittee and confirmed by the Community Services and Parks Committee in early May.
Chair of the Arts Grant Subcommittee, Margaret Miles says the funds from Creative New Zealand are awarded to creative arts and cultural activities across a range of disciplines.
“The subcommittee was looking to support activities which fit the criteria of enhancing the local arts community, encouraging active participation in the arts at a local level and allowing people to develop their artistic skills and/or present diverse arts activities that will benefit the community.”
In total the subcommittee allocated $52,100 to 26 groups. This was from a pool of 32 applicants and requests totalling approximately $100,000.
Councillor Miles says there is huge variety in the types of initiatives that were allocated funds, which demonstrates the vitality and diversity of North Shore City’s arts and creative scene.
“It’s wonderful to support our thriving creative sector and invest in such a range of activities. From literature, fine arts and live theatre, to multicultural events, musical performances, arts workshops, and youth initiatives.
“There seems to be something for everyone to enjoy and this funding will continue to foster community diversity,” she says.
Councillor Miles says a significant and positive theme of the grants was the many initiatives supported that extend the North Shore community’s knowledge and ability to participate in arts, for example the many ethnicities represented on the Shore and also the Ki-O-Rahi event for Matariki – Maori New Year.
Chair of the Community Services and Parks Committee, Tony Holman says North Shore City Council has a long history of administering and funding grants to help promote a variety of arts and cultural groups.
“The creative community has a very important role to play in making North Shore City a vibrant and interesting place to live and visit.
“My personal hope is that the new council will continue to support and even enhance the level of support given to ensuring the life and diversity of our creative communities.”
Arts Sector Development officer, Sarah Dugdale says the demand for Creative Communities Scheme grants always exceeds the amount of money available but it is wonderful to see so many groups being proactive in developing their talents for the benefit of the North Shore community.
The next round of funding will open for applications on 14 June 2010 and further details will be made available on the council website closer to the time.
North Shore groups awarded Creative Communities Scheme funding in May 2010.
Michael King Writers Centre A Matariki literary event featuring the first Maori Writer-in-Residence and three additional guests $1400
Michael King Writers Centre A Heritage Week event to celebrate the life and works of significant local playwright and author Bruce Mason $2500
Depot Artspace East meets West, to mount a show of former local, artist Dean Buchanan’s work on the North Shore$500
Glenfield Community Coordinator To hold a two day community event to celebrate Matariki Festival $1,200
North Shore Filipino Community Inc. Towards hosting the National Filipino Festival on the North Shore at Labour Weekend. $3,500
Sport Waitakere Towards a two day cultural workshop, sharing knowledge of Maori pastimes, to be held during Matariki and in conjunction with the Ki-O-Rahi event at Hato Petera
$1,800
Massive Youth Theatre company Towards the premiere season of ‘Havoc in the Garden’ at The PumpHouse theatre $3,500
Ben Rogers / YMCA North Shore
Towards the ‘Paradox’ event for youth talent in Takapuna Memorial Hall $650
Birkenhead Northcote and Glenfield Community Facilities Trust Towards a Tartan Day celebration Tattoo, with Highland bands, dance, marching and drill displays $2,600
Burundian Promotions Inc Towards celebration of Burundian National Day on the North Shore
$2,500
Devonport Theatre Company Towards a new play called Pear-Shaped, written and directed by local Andy Saker –at The PumpHouse $3,500
NEWZAT – NZ Association of Singing Teachers Towards a one-day singing workshop on the North Shore with Helen Medlyn - for music theatre and singing voice $800
North Shore Camerata
Towards two performances of Vivaldi’s Gloria at St Georges Takapuna and Holy Trinity in Devonport $500
North Shore Indian Association
Festival of Lights – the first celebration of this special Indian cultural festival on the North Shore
$1,800
North Shore Indian Association
Navrati – the Festival of Dance to demonstrate and develop performing skills for adults and children and celebrate this festival on the Shore $1,000
Quotidian Creative Towards local production of Sylvia at The PumpHouse $3500
Starfish Magic Towards cost of bringing ‘Funky Fairytales’ children’s show to six libraries across the North Shore$1,100
Operating Theatre Trust Towards mounting Joy Cowley’s ‘Greedy Cat’ at The PumpHouse $3,500
The Southern Cross Korean Performing Arts Group Towards free annual concert at the Bruce Mason Theatre to demonstrate and perform Korean performing arts and open to the general public $3,500
Mairangi Arts Centre To hold an exhibition of prisoner art at Mairangi Arts Centre. $3,500
Children’s Sculpture at the Fort 12 Primary and Intermediate schools supported to create site-specific works at the Fort for Sculpture on Shore $750
Depot Artspace A Matariki project with two exhibitions, one open and one selected, and a workshop for invited local Maori youth $800
Kathrin Simon Photographic exhibition during Photography Festival and Matariki – a rare glimpse behind the scenes of a major Kapa Haka group and opening night performance $3,500
Pen Collection Ltd Towards a community workshop to collate ideas from the North Shore for the local component of the regional larger project $2,800
Westshore Community Arts Council – NorthArt To host three exhibitions during the Photography Festival; John Malcolm, Stephen Perry and Unitec Tutors $900
Westshore Community Arts Council – NorthArt To mount an exhibition of works by Chinese artist Reagan Lee and produce a bi-lingual catalogue $500