Creative Communities Scheme Awards 2024/2025 Round Two

Seven Grey District community groups have received a boost for their local arts initiatives, following the latest round of funding from the Creative Communities NZ Scheme – Te tono pūtea mō ngā manahau a te iwi kāinga.

At a meeting held on Wednesday, 28 May, the Creative Communities Assessment Committee reviewed eleven applications from a diverse range of groups across the district. After thoughtful deliberation and a series of passionate presentations, the committee allocated a total of $11,682.80 to seven successful applicants.

Committee Chair Andrew Ross said the response from the community was strong.

“We were pleased with both the number and quality of applications received,” he said. “It’s never easy to make the final decisions when there are so many great ideas, but the projects selected align well with Council’s vision for a thriving, creative Grey District.”

The Creative Communities Scheme supports projects that meet at least one of the following priorities:

• Access and participation – encouraging local communities to engage with and take part in the arts;
• Diversity – celebrating and supporting the unique cultural and artistic traditions of our people;
• Young people – enabling those under 18 to participate in creative experiences.

To be eligible, projects must take place within the Grey District, be completed within twelve months of funding approval, and cannot have already started.

“We’re excited to see these projects come to life and to witness the positive impact they’ll have on the community,” Mr Ross said.

The groups and projects that were awarded funding were:

For more information about the Creative Communities Scheme please visit: www.creativenz.govt.nz