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A $ 150 million increase in government funding for the arts must be delivered quickly “once in a generation” or “there could be no sector left” to help, arts leaders warned.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced in May that the government would establish three special funds worth $ 150 million to help the arts sector overcome the impact of Covid-19. But more than four months later, none of that money has been distributed.
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra executive director Peter Biggs said the $ 150 million was “one-time funding in a generation” but needed to be delivered much faster.
THE DETAIL / RNZ
Some of the creative projects that received the grant received criticism for their unusual proposals, the Detail speaking with the artists who received the grant and Creative NZ CEO Stephen Wainwright, who defends his approach to supporting the arts.
“The reality is that many in the cultural sector are making it difficult right now and need additional funding quickly,” he said.
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A recession, lower ticket prices, along with reduced sponsorship and philanthropy would hit the arts sector hard, he warned.
“Everyone will be making it difficult. It means that we will need additional funds to meet our obligations. “
He hoped the drop in revenue would not lead to layoffs in the orchestra.
“Something has to give somewhere. We hope it never comes to that. We are always looking to cut down on activity rather than cut off people. “
Ross Giblin / Stuff
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the $ 150 million fund at Te Papa in Wellington in May.
The executive director of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Gretchen La Roche, said the money had to be distributed quickly.
“You don’t want to be in a situation where there is no sector left,” he said.
“There must be a quick response … We will lose artists and arts organizations, companies and promoters.”
“Not all of us are going to survive this, but some kind of short-term help would be ideal … to recognize that it is going to be a challenging environment.”
KIRK HARGREAVES / Stuff
The executive director of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Gretchen La Roche, fears that the artistic groups will be lost next year without urgent financial support.
La Roche said art agency Creative New Zealand should be involved in distributing the money, but that it is being overseen by Manatū Taonga, the Ministry of Culture and Heritage.
“I think it would make sense for Creative New Zealand to be there and be part of the solution.”
An arts industry leader, who declined to be named, said it was surprising that the ministry was in charge of distributing the money when Creative New Zealand had so much experience delivering emergency cash to the industry.
“There is a concern that the funds will go to a policy ministry that has no experience in the funding process.
“Creative New Zealand understands the arts and culture sector, probably the best of any institution in the country. They have the structure and the experience. “
Joe Johnson / Stuff
The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra performing at Hagley Park in February 2019.
Creative New Zealand CEO Stephen Wainwright said it would be inappropriate for the agency to comment on the matter.
The $ 150 million funding boost is divided into three funds. The Creative Arts Employment and Recovery fund includes $ 70 million to commission creative projects to create employment opportunities.
The Cultural Innovation Fund is a disputable $ 60 million fund to create new ways of operating in the arts sector, while the $ 20 million Cultural Capacity Fund is for “immediate needs” in the arts sector.
Ross Giblin / Stuff
The money was announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in May, but has yet to be paid.
The ministry’s deputy executive director, Anna Butler, said the $ 150 million in new funding was for longer-term support and would be delivered over the next two to three years.
“With these longer-term funds, the need to keep pace is balanced by ensuring that the funds are informed by the industry and thoughtfully designed,” he said.
“These initiatives are a significant opportunity for Aotearoa’s cultural sector to create new jobs, develop skills, promote innovation and improve New Zealanders’ access to cultural experiences.”
Butler noted that the ministry has already provided $ 66.9 million to partner agencies and national cultural organizations to support the sector during the pandemic. He also said that around $ 3.3 million had already been distributed to the arts sector through various new Covid-19 funds.
He said the $ 20 million fund would open for applications in December, the $ 70 million fund would open early next year, while the innovation fund did not yet have a set opening date.
Entertainment Venues Association of NZ (EVANZ) trustee and Trusts Arena CEO Mark Gosling said revenue had dropped 76 percent from March to September. He said venues needed artists to create new content so they would have events to host.
“It was pretty horrible,” he said.
“The sooner they get the money and the sooner people start creating content, the better it will be for places. It will take a while before the content is fed and available to a place and an audience. “
