Cultural Regeneration Fund feedback summary now available

We continue to work on the development of future-focused initiatives like the Cultural Sector Regeneration Fund. In September, Manatū Taonga engaged with the sector on the draft approach for the Fund, which comprises the Cultural Sector Innovation Fund, the Cultural Sector Capability Fund and the Creative Arts Recovery and Employment (CARE) Fund.

There were over 200 submissions through our online survey and around 140 people and organisations took part in 14 online hui. A summary of the feedback is now available on the Manatū Taonga website. Thanks to all of you who took the time to share your thoughts and insights.

Key themes

• There was a broad consensus that the sector needs support.
• Many said a joined-up funding ecosystem was needed.
• There were mixed views on whether the focus should be short-term or long-term and who should be eligible for funding.
• Many spoke of the importance of reaching under-served communities, especially Māori.
• Many wanted simple and flexible processes to make it easy to apply for funding.
• The feedback summary also covers the themes we heard that are specific to each of the three funds.

Next steps and timing

With these funds, we’re balancing the need to move at pace with thoughtful design. We’re now working on the detailed design, and we’ll share the policy and delivery settings for the funds after they have been approved by Ministers.

At this stage, we’re anticipating that the Capability Fund will open in December 2020 and the CARE Fund early in 2021, with the more complex Innovation Fund following soon after.  Collectively these funds make available $150 million in support over two and three-year periods.

We’ll continue to keep you updated through this newsletter on timing as this work progresses.

Update on funding awarded to date

So far around $12 million in funding providing short-term relief has been awarded to individuals and organisations in the sector through the Screen Production Recovery Fund, the various music recovery programmes, and through boosted funding to government agencies like Creative New Zealand and NZ On Air. To date, an additional $17.1 million of financial support has been provided to safeguard national cultural organisations.

Several initiatives closed funding rounds in October and applications are being assessed. We look forward to updating you over the next month on the results of the first round of the Museum Hardship Fund, the Pasifika Festivals Initiative and the Aotearoa Music Touring Programme Fund, as well as subsequent rounds of Creative NZ and NZ On Air New Music funding.

Screen Sector Snapshot

The Screen Production Recovery Fund provides assistance with unexpected costs faced by screen productions already invested in by the New Zealand Film Commission or NZ On Air that were shut down, delayed or constrained due to COVID-19.

The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) has approved $4 million to support 15 New Zealand productions, to date, as part of this $23.4 million fund. NZ On Air has also approved $1.27 million of funding as part of the same fund.

This funding is helping to ensure that New Zealand stories continue to reach audiences. Productions supported by the NZFC include director Leanne Pooley’s documentary The Girl on the Bridge, James Napier Robertson and Paula Whetu Jones’ feature-length film Whina, and writer-director Linda Niccol’s debut feature film Poppy. The Fund is currently open for applications.

Regional kapa haka celebrations to replace 2021 Te Matatini national festival

Te Matatini announced on Friday that a programme of 12 regional ngahau (non-competitive) kapa haka events will take place throughout 2020 and 2021.

In July the Te Matatini National Board made the decision to postpone the national 2021 Te Matatini Herenga Waka Herenga Tangata Festival until 2022 due to the risks to kaumātua and whānau posed by COVID-19. The revised regional programme fills the void left by the postponement of the national festival and provides opportunities for whānau and communities to foster and celebrate kapa haka within their rohe.

The funding allocated through the Arts and Culture COVID Recovery Programme to support the 2021 national festival will instead support this programme of regional events.

Te Matatini Chief Executive Carl Ross says, “I would like to add my appreciation to our Ministers and Ministry officials in supporting Te Matatini’s efforts to positively contribute to the wellbeing of Māori and our diverse communities, and the growth and development of kapa haka, both in our regions and across the motu during this unprecedented time.

“The opportunities that the 12 ngahau kapa haka events will provide are many. One that I would like to mention is the opportunity for all ages to showcase kapa haka – Ngā Mahi a Rēhia Te Haka a Tānerore.”

Keep an eye on tematatini.co.nz for details of forthcoming regional events.

COVID Recovery Programme – funding opportunities open now

Creative New Zealand: Funding for 2020/21 has been boosted by an additional $25 million to provide short-term relief through various funds. Round Four of the Arts Grants is currently open.

Aotearoa Music Touring Programme Tier One and Two Fund (supporting artists touring to venues with a capacity of up to, and over, 600 people): Round Two closes 24 November. This fund is administered by the NZ Music Commission.

New Music Fund: Funding has been boosted by $7.18 million over the next two years. See nzonair.govt.nz for details and opening and closing dates.

Screen Production Recovery Fund: See nzfilm.co.nz and nzonair.govt.nz for more information.

More information

• For the latest information on other initiatives in the Arts and Culture COVID Recovery Programme, see the Manatū Taonga website
• If you have specific questions, email us at support.culture@mch.govt.nz
• An Event Sector Voluntary Code has been developed, outlining what event organisers should consider to safely hold events in a COVID-19 environment.  It follows Ministry of Health best practice guidance. It is available on the Major Events website.
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