South Wairarapa’s arts community is riding a well-funded wave of creativity with funding allocations from the latest Creative Communities Scheme this month. 

Six applicants will share $10,600 of funds, supporting arts across the district: 

• CanInspire, supports people affected by neurodivergence and cancer – $360 

• Humorous Arts Comedy Festival, aimed at rangatahi – $1,590  

• Goodtimes Foundation (music lessons) – $3,150 

• Wairarapa Youth Orchestra – $1,500 

• Wairarapa Arts Trail – $1,000 

• Featherston Mulled Wine Concerts – $3,000 

Strong criteria in funding evaluation process 

Applications were assessed on the strength of their ideas: the process, inclusion of people, budget and three key criteria: access and participation, diversity of artistic cultural traditions and enabling young people (under 18) to engage with and participate in the arts.  

“As a funding partnership with Creative NZ, it’s important that applicants clearly articulate how funding will be spent and include supporting documents such as a budget, letters of community support or examples of past success so our panel can see evidence of how each project aligns with the Creative Community Scheme’s goals,” says South Wairarapa District Council Grants Advisor Lina McManus. 

This round was chaired by Lynn Bushell, who led a panel of six with experience in the arts  community: Margeurite Tait-Jamieson, Jayson Tahinnurua, Sandra Schmitt, Brian Wood and Louise Aitken. Narida Hooper, who has expertise in Ngā toi Māori, Pasifika Arts as well as crafts and objects art has been appointed to the committee for future funding rounds.  

Next round opens soon 

CCS funds come from Creative NZ and funding rounds are held once or twice each year and distributed by the Council. The next round is in September with approximately $14,000. 

Find out more 

For more information or to apply in the next round, visit: swdc.govt.nz/community/grants