New Creative Communities Scheme Fund for festivals

Ruapehu District Council has been granted an additional $7,344.09 from Creative New Zealand for a one-off CCS Festival Fund to support established festivals that celebrate the life experiences, stories, cultures, and regional identities of New Zealanders.

Applications for the funding are now open until Friday 29 September.

Candice McNaught Manager Community Relationships and Wellbeing said that the additional festival funding was Council's share of a one-off $22 million top-up to Creative New Zealand to help alleviate the impact COVID-19 has had on the arts sector.

"The CCS Festival Fund is intended to help the sector adapt and thrive as we move beyond the effects of COVID-19 and to further improve access, equity, and arts participation," she said.

"To be eligible a festival must have been delivered at least once in the previous five years which can also include digital presentations.

For the purposes of the CCS Festival Fund a festival involves an integrated programme of events and activities featuring one or more artforms, from any cultural tradition, that takes place within a defined area or region over a designated period of time.

Successful festivals need to be delivered with 12 months of the grant notification," she said.

"CCS Festival Funding covers operational, commissioning, development, and presentation costs.

While there is no maximum amount a single festival can apply for we want to support as many events as we can.

If you have a festival that celebrates the life experiences, stories, and cultures of Ruapehu communities, improves participation, and will help us build a resilient and sustainable arts sector, please emailor call me at Council on 07 895 8188 to discuss your specific plans for this one-off fund," she said.

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