Local arts & cultural projects receive CCS funding

Eight local art and cultural projects have been awarded funding in the recent round of the Creative Communities Scheme (CSS).

The Stratford Creative Communities Assessment Committee administers the CSS funds on behalf of Creative New Zealand.

Sheila Boyes, Committee Chair says, “Each year we receive a number of applications that far exceed the amount available to distribute, and this round was no different.”

“We received 12 applications totaling almost $32,000 in project costs and we had only $10,000 to give out. The committee has to make some difficult decisions as we believe all applications are worthy,” she says.

Dates for next year’s funding rounds will be out soon. Keep an eye on council’s website for more details. An application be can made by an individual or group, however funding is awarded to the whole project or activity, rather than the individual undertaking the project.

Sheila says, “We really want to see new projects from our local creatives which benefit as many as possible in the community.”

“With the uncertainty of COVID-19, we understand some activity might be postponed or cancelled. If you’ve received funding for a project which has had to change because of Alert Level restrictions please let us know,” says Sheila.

To be eligible for funding the project must support at least one of the following criteria:

• Access and participation - create opportunities for local communities to engage with and participate in arts activities.
• Diversity - support the diverse arts and cultural traditions of local communities
• Young people - enable and encourage young people (under 18 years) to engage with and participate in the arts.

For more information on the funding scheme see our website https://www.stratford.govt.nz/our-district/funding-and-grants/creative-communities-scheme

Stratford district’s successful applicants from the latest funding round are below: