TECT and Creative Bay of Plenty have partnered to support a range of creative projects that will add a splash of colour and vibrancy to the community over the next few months. The Western Bay Mini Arts Grants aim to support the resilience of the local creative sector and increase activity over the winter period by funding creative projects and activations at grassroots level.
Creative BOP’s Funding & Capability Advisor, Annie Hill, says “These are grants of up to $2,000 for projects that are both creative and engage the community. The great thing about them is that the application process is really simple and the turnaround time for decisions is about three weeks.”
One of the projects that has been supported in the first funding round is an innovative pop up space in Tauranga’s CBD that celebrates indigenous and queer artists and marginalised communities by providing workshops and wānanga, performance art, readings, screenings, dance and experimental music. Coordinator of the space, Sian Evans, says, “Kūwao is stoked to have the opportunity to tautoko our Māori, queer, punk and marginalised communities. With the help of this grant we will be bringing fresh kaupapa driven exhibitions, wānanga, workshops, screenings and performance evenings to the heart of Tauranga Moana.”
The Western Bay district has also benefitted from the fund, with a permanent outdoor art board to be installed in Katikati to support the work of young artists. Each installation will remain in place for six weeks to showcase the talent of rangatahi based in the area. Katikati Open Air Art’s Lulu Harding says, “Picasso said that every child is an artist, and this grant will allow us to prove it! The art board will encourage young people to express themselves, develop their talent and let everyone enjoy their beautiful creations.”
Another art project involving young people will take place in Te Puke, with the fund supporting Graeme Dingle Foundation and a number of young artists to develop a mural in Te Puke’s main street. “We are very excited to see this project underway, championing our young and upcoming artists in a way that the whole community can enjoy. The mural will also celebrate the diversity of culture in Te Puke – something we are all very proud of,” says successful applicant Kassie Ellis, who is also chair of the Te Puke Community Board.
Paula Hudson, Community Impact Manager at TECT, says she loves seeing the wide range of creative projects that come through from the community for this fund. “There are so many exciting and innovative ideas coming from our arts, culture and creative communities, particularly those that benefit young people. It is very rewarding that we are able to help them come to fruition.”
Applications are still open for the Western Bay Mini Arts Grants. Click here for further information, including eligibility criteria.
