Creative Northland pleads for support

Creative Northland is calling for public support to dissuade the Northland Regional Council from ending its financial contribution to the organisation.

The organisation says the council has provided funding for the past nine years to grow business capability in Northland’s arts sector, amounting to $59,000 over each of the last three years. The council was now looking to focus all regional economic development support through Northland Inc, and is proposing to cease that support.

Funds were used to assist individual artists, art groups and organisations to build their skills and resources in the area of product development, social media, public relations and business development.

They also enabled Creative Northland to partner with organisations such as Creative NZ and Foundation North to deliver projects such as Project Youth Futures in 3D and the Northland Youth Summit Arts Festival 2018.

“The Youth Summit is a NRC-sponsored event, along with NorthTec and Creative NZ. NRC sponsoring this event brings confidence that local government are investing in our future generations,” a spokesman said.

“We deliver regional workshops that are creative sector-focused, for example how to write a successful funding application.

“We do stuff with our arts community, help with venue fees, artist fees and buy materials; every dollar contributed brings social cohesion, social entrepreneurship and a stimulated creative workforce.

“We produce the Northland Art Guide. This year 15,000 copies were produced and distributed for international and domestic channels. This document supports the Twin Coast Discovery route.”

Submissions to the council’s LTP close at 4pm on Wednesday next week.