Get creative with communities funding

Matthew Salmons Reporter from Selwyn & Ashburton Outlook

Latest from the Selwyn District Council. Do you have a cool idea for a community project that needs funding help to get off the ground?
Community-based groups and individuals can apply now for funding for their next project through the Creative Communities New Zealand Scheme.

The Creative Communities Scheme is administered by Selwyn District Council on behalf of Creative New Zealand and supports local arts and cultural activities.

Selwyn District Arts Coordinator Becca Bouffandeau encourages all kinds of groups or individuals to consider applying for funding.

“If you’ve got an idea for a creative, community project then I’d really like to encourage you to apply to this fund. If you need any support or advice about how it works then I’d be happy to help,” she says.

Projects or activities must encourage community involvement, support arts and cultural, or enable young people to actively participate in the arts.

In the past, Creative Communities funding has supported projects and activities in Selwyn such as exhibitions, productions, concerts, festivals, workshops and presentations that offer opportunities for community involvement in the arts.

Three Selwyn groups received funding in the last round. Lincoln Patchwork and Quilters furthered creative fabric activities for local residents by establishing a local group. Lincoln Light Party Committee held the Lincoln Light Party 2017, a local festival for children and their families to attend. MCAC Performing Arts Committee received funding towards the production Love, Loss & Café Operana.

Selwyn has four Creative Communities funding rounds each year in May, August, November and February towards community-based arts or cultural projects.

The closing date for this round of funding is Friday 24 November 2017. For funding application forms, visit www.selwyn.govt.nz....