The South Taranaki District produces a wealth of creativity.
Our rich cultural history has helped shape our national identity, and helped produce New Zealand icons such as the Pātea Maori Club and author Ronald Hugh Morrieson. Our unique, dramatic landscape offers inspiration for visual artists working in a diverse range of mediums. Their artwork is showcased in our district art galleries, which also feature exhibitions from other regions. Our growing participation in public and community art reflects who we are and offers opportunities for participation and pride in our public spaces. Annual art events are a great chance for artists to get involved - give it a go and enter a competition, sell your creations at a local market or join one of our many clubs to meet like-minded people, share skills and have fun.
The South Taranaki District Council Arts Co-ordinator works with trusts, galleries, committees, schools and individuals throughout our seven towns and within our rural areas. By maintaining active links with arts groups, providers and practitioners, the Arts Co-ordinator can offer practical advice to support you or help you make local connections that will aid you in achieving your artistic goals.
Next Funding Round: The current funding round has been extended and will now close on Friday 26 March for projects taking place between 29 April 2021- 29 April 2022.
The South Taranaki Creative Communities Scheme provides funding assistance for community-based arts activities in South Taranaki that meet one or more of the following funding criteria:
Broad community involvement - A project that will create opportunities for local communities to engage with and participate in arts activities.
Diversity - A project that will support the diverse arts and cultural traditions of local communities, enriching and promoting their uniqueness and cultural diversity.
Young people - A project that will enable and encourage young people (under 18 years) to engage with and actively participate in the arts.
Click here to find out more on whether your project is able to be funded through the Creative Communities Scheme and how to make an application.
The final round of the Creative Communities Scheme for 2019/20 closed in May after being extended due to COVID-19. Applications received were considered by the Assessment Committee on 18 June 2020. A total of $19,765.07 was allocated to the projects below:
Laura Buchanan: Weekly Clay Classes Offers weekly clay classes to the community for 8 weeks, producing ceramic art works including painting with underglaze and firing in the kiln. Received: $2000.00
Ohawe Creative Community: Ohawe Creative Community Exhibition Exhibits a range of artworks at the Village Gallery, Eltham. Including a creative drawing workshop for Primary School Students. Received: $880.00
Susan Morton: Focus on Taranaki A group of 20 leading Taranaki Photographers will display their prints in the Village Gallery, Eltham. Including a workshop open to locals to attend on technical photography skills. Received: $600.00
South Taranaki Creative Space: Drawing & Mixed Media Workshops + Promotional Signage Workshops for existing students to the wider community, introducing new mediums and specialised drawing classes, including the installation of new signage on the front of the studio. Received: $2654.82
Waitotara School: Waitotara School Art Fair For students to create art and hold an art fair/exhibition in the local community to display their creations. Received: $250.00
Bizlink Hawera Incorporated: Hawera Town Square Mural To have a beautiful mural in the Hawera Town Square that will resonate with a wide audience of people. Received: $1349.25
Jennifer Corbett: Let’s Try That A series of workshops over ten weeks in Patea and Waverley. Followed by an exhibition of the Children’s artworks. Received: $1500.00
Paepae in the Park A free music festival, fun filled community event to commemorate, entertain and educate on Waitangi Day. Received: $2000.00
Laura Buchanan: South Taranaki Clay Club To create a clay club for South Taranaki residents, enabling them to create with clay from the comfort of their own homes. Received: $1000.00
Toi o Taranaki Ki Te Tonga: Toi Ki Tua – Art on the Other Side To facilitate the creation and presentation of high-quality Maori Art. To hold wananga or Maori artists to create and collaborate in the making for art for exhibition to the general public. Received: $1996.00
Simon Vare: Captain Festus McBoyles Travellin Variety Show The crew will visit South Taranaki to engage and encourage the towns pre-teen children in joining them all dressed up in character for the Friday A&P Show street parade as well as at the shows. Received: $2535.00
Luther Ashford: Patea Street Art Murals To create a series of Murals displayed on the main street of Patea. Received: $3000.00
State of the Arts is a seasonal newsletter that is produced for those who are interested in all things arts and culture that is going on around the district.
If you wish to receive this newsletter electronically, please email our Arts Co-ordinator.
