Call for applicants for Council community arts fund

Lower Hutt arts organisations looking for funding may be able to get help from a $40,000 Hutt City Council grant scheme.

Council’s Community Arts and Culture Grant is open to not-for-profit groups that provide arts and cultural services and programmes to the Lower Hutt community.

Last year 10 local arts organisations were awarded grants, including Hutt Valley Orchestra, to help with their running costs.

“This grant makes a huge difference to us,” says Angela Erasmuson, Secretary of Hutt Valley Orchestra. “The funding enables us to include popular music in our programme.  Our conductor likes to play popular music, but the copyright can be expensive."

The orchestra has also been able to lower the fees for school children. "This has built audiences and introduced a new generation to the orchestra," says Ms Erasmuson. "We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without this support from Council.”

The Community Arts and Culture Grant funding aims to contribute to the creative life of the Hutt Valley, its residents and visitors by supporting local arts groups.

The groups must provide a diverse range of quality arts activities and events that are easily accessed by residents and visitors, create opportunities to increase community participation in arts and cultural activities and provide opportunities to grow audiences.

The current round opened on 1 July and closes on 8 August 2016 and will cover the period August 2016 to July 2017.

To apply online go to huttcity.govt.nz/Services/Funding or contact Pippa Sanderson, Community Arts Advisor, Hutt City Council, 04 560 1257, or email pippa.sanderson@huttcity.govt.nz.