Auckland Council’s Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee has approved 28 applications for grants totalling $422,546 through round one of the 2022/2023 Regional Arts and Culture grants programme.
Councillor Alf Filipaina, chair of the committee, says arts and culture experiences contribute so much to our region's vibrancy and sense of community and it’s important we get behind supporting the sector as it recovers from impacts of COVID-19.
“A thriving arts and culture sector in Tāmaki Makaurau benefits us all. It contributes to our region’s economy, boosts our well-being and attracts others to visit and live here too.
“We need to keep investing in our creative future and support our local arts scene so it can build back stronger.”
Aucklanders can look forward to a wide range of high-quality arts and cultural experiences supported by this funding. These include community and free events at the Auckland Writers Festival, a new whānau-friendly Māori theatre show from Te Pou Theatre, disability-led arts from Touch Compass and the ever-popular spoken word poetry event WORD - The Front Line.
Councillor Cathy Casey, deputy chair of the committee, encourages everyone to participate in arts and culture activities across Tāmaki Makaurau.
“Arts and culture activities strengthen us as communities because they inspire us to think differently and help us celebrate our differences.
“From poetry to writing to music, there are many opportunities for Aucklanders to enjoy arts and culture as part of our everyday lives.”
Kaiwhakahaere Matua / General Manager of Touch Compass Jon Tamihere-Kemeys says their organisation is thrilled to receive the funding which will support their ongoing work in improving access to the arts for people with disabilities.
“Adequate funding for inclusive arts practice is vital.
“Let's face it – to make arts accessible and be on par with non-disabled peers and practitioners across Aotearoa requires a level of investment that recognises that disability in all its forms is not a niche, but an intrinsic part of society.
“We are grateful to our partners and funders who understand this and support us in being a strong artistic voice for over a quarter of the national population.”
You can view the complete list of grant recipients on the Auckland Council website.
Find out more
To learn more about the types of programmes we support and how you can apply for this grant, visit the Auckland Council website.
