16 Nov 2015
Six arts projects will receive a total of almost $367,000 in the first round of applications to the new Auckland Diversity Project Fund.
Launched in September this year the fund supports high quality work that engages with Māori, Pacific and Asian audiences and artists in the region. Up to $400,000 is made available by Creative New Zealand and Foundation North in each of 2015, 2016 and 2017 to support projects by established artists and arts organisations working in any artform.
“We’re delighted with the range and reach of the projects. They encourage different ways of working and presenting to engage with diverse communities throughout Auckland,” said Creative New Zealand International and Capability Building Manager, Belinda Jones.
“We’re also pleased to see new partnerships being developed with iwi and established organisations and practitioners mentoring emerging artists and practitioners. Established players such as TAPAC (The Auckland Performing Arts Centre) and Auckland Festival are also building on successful community projects that engage with diverse audiences and artists.”
Foundation North CEO, Jennifer Gill said “Foundation North is excited to be able to support these projects in partnership with Creative New Zealand. We are pleased that such a wide range of artists, practitioners and communities will be able to participate and engage in these new initiatives.”
Funding has been allocated as follows:
Auckland Festival Trust, $100,000
Towards a series of visual arts installations and spoken-word events celebrating diverse creators and participants. They will be held in Otara, Māngere, Papatoetoe, Otahuhu, Glenn Innes, Howick, Northcote, New Lynn, Dominion Road, Mt Roskill, Sandringham and the Aotea precinct throughout 2016-17.
Pretty Asian Theatre (partnership with Auckland Live and The Oryza Foundation ), $70,000
Towards developing the play Call of the Sparrows by playwright Chye-Ling Huang and director James Roque, including mentoring, community workshops and a week-long preview season with Auckland Live.
Ruia Taitea Creative Ltd, $50,000
Towards a programme of activity at Te Pou Theatre, based in New Lynn, including works by Renee Liang, Jun Bin Lee, Modern Māori Quartet, The Black Friars, Hawaiki Tū, Benjamin Teh, Agaram Productions. The theatre will work with community coordinators and hold a whanau day to build audiences in Māori, Pacific and Asian populations.
Silo Theatre Trust, $20,652
Towards a new theatre work Black Tree Bridge by playwright Chye-Ling Huang in collaboration with Silo Theatre’s artistic director and a senior dramaturge. The first presentation of the work will be at Auckland Festival’s RAW programme in 2016.
TAPAC (partnership with South Asian Writers Festival and a range of independent artists), $50,000
Towards the Culture Clash programme which aims to increase participation of Māori, Pacific and Asian audiences in the development and presentation of work, and to grow artistic capacity through internships.
Whai Maia Limited (partnership with Mahuika Theatre), $76,320
Towards workshops in kapa haka and raranga for young people in Ōrākei as well as public performances. There will be a focus on developing new audiences in Asian and Pacific communities for the stories which are core to the cultural identity of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.
In total 36 proposals requesting investment of $3.3 million were received. Applications ranged from audience development and community engagement projects to proposals for new work.
The next calls for applications to the Auckland Diversity Project Fund will be made in July 2016 and July 2017. Partnerships and collaborative projects are encouraged. Applicants need to be Auckland-based or have a significant presence in the region.
Image caption: Chye-Ling Huang and Amanda Grace Leo in Pretty Asian Theatre’s A Flock of Ashes at the Short+Sweet Festival 2015. The show was written by Chye-Ling Huang and directed by James Roque. Image: Shovik Nandi Photography
Media queries to:
Jasmyne Chung
Senior Communications Adviser, Creative New Zealand
jasmyne.chung@creativenz.govt.nz
CATEGORIES: Arts accessibility, Audience development, Funding for individuals, Funding for organisations Latest news and blog
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