Have you been daydreaming about a creative project during lockdown and wondering how to make it a reality? Your timing couldn’t be better!
On Monday 6 September the next round of the Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) for the Thames-Coromandel area will be opening for applications.
Each year Creative New Zealand provides funding to city and district councils across Aotearoa New Zealand for distribution in their respective area. The funding applications are made directly to local councils, in our case that’s the Thames-Coromandel District Council (TCDC).
Creative Coromandel, together with TCDC, helps to assess CCS applications and allocate the funding for successful applications. As you know, Creative Coromandel is made up of arts passionate, community-minded representatives from every ward on the Coromandel Peninsula, meaning your application is assessed by the people who know our local communities and local arts sector best. #WePutTheArtsFirst
During each funding round, the Creative Coromandel team is available for 1:1 chats with potential applicants about their project, and their funding application. We’ve listed all their contact details at the end of this article.
Who is eligible for CCS funding?
One of the best things about CCS funding is that you don’t have to be part of an organisation or charity to be eligible – both individuals and groups can apply. Individuals do need to be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents though. There is also no limit to how much funding you can apply for, but most CCS grants tend to be under $2000 – it really depends on the project.
Here are lists of recipients that received CCS funding for local arts projects in
March 2020, September 2020and March 2021, so you can see what type of projects have been supported in the past, and the average amount granted.
Project do’s and don’ts
For your project to be eligible for funding from CCS, it needs to tick at least one of the following boxes. If your project ticks more than one box, even better!
- Enable young people – the project enables young people (under 18 years) to engage with, and participate in the arts.
- Support diversity – the project supports the diverse artistic cultural traditions of local communities.
- Encourage participation – the project creates opportunities for local communities to engage with and participate in local arts activities.
Some examples of projects could be:
- A group of young people creating a film about an issue that is important to them (ticks the Youth box)
- Festivals or exhibitions in Maori or Pasifika heritage or contemporary artforms (ticks the Diversity box)
- Workshops on printmaking, writing or dancing (ticks the Participation box)
CCS funding grants can cover important costs such as:
- Promotion and publicity of arts events
- Personnel and administrative costs for short-term projects
- Venue or equipment hire
- Materials for arts activities or programmes
Things that can’t be covered by CCS funding are:
- Projects to develop facilities
- Fundraising activities
- Local council projects
- Projects that mainly deliver outcomes for other sectors
- Projects within the scope of other sectors or organisations
- Projects without an arts focus
Apply and Submit
Creative New Zealand have put together some super user friendly instructions for CCS applications – a step-by-step guide on filling out the application, what is and isn’t eligible for funding, important things to consider both before applying and what is expected of you if you are granted funds for your project. Download the Creative Communities Scheme Application Guide 2020/2021.
Ready to apply? Download the CCS Application form and fill it out in full, remember to include all the required supporting material. Once completed, submit your application to Debra Bromley by the deadline: Debra.bromley@tcdc.govt.nz
Don’t be late! Important Dates
The next round of funding opens on Monday 6 September and closes on Friday 1 October. The CCS committee will assess applications on 28 October 2021. Projects must be completed within 12 months (4 November 2021 – 4 November 2022) of being awarded the funds.
Call us for a korero!
Feel free to reach out to any of the following people for a chat by phone or video call (at least until it is safe again to meet in person). If you’re not sure who you’d like to talk to, you can contact us directly on info.creativecoromande@gmail.com
Jan Wright | Mercury Bay | 027 224 1927
John Eaglen | Coromandel-Colville | (07) 866 7488
Rob Johnston | Thames | 021 780 989
Bernie Ross | Whangamata | 027 560 7430
Terry Walker | Whangamata | 021 536 580
Warwick Mather | Coromandel-Colville | 027 483 5867
John McEnteer | Hauraki Māori Trust Board | johnm@hauraki.iwi.nz
Peter Sephton | Coromandel Arts Council | 0272424090
Martin Rodley | TCDC Representative | martin.rodley@council.tcdc.govt.nz | 027 255 5380
Anne Stewart Ball | Tairua-Pauanui | buffydoes1@gmail.com | 022 368 8790
Yvonne Walmsley | Tairua-Pauanui | 027 810 7178
Diane Connors | Thames | sar@slingshot.co.nz | 021 177 0746
