Fortune Theatre funding cut by $30,000

Peter Brown
Peter Brown
Otago arts organisations were putting on a brave face yesterday after Creative New Zealand finalised its new funding programme.

The two-tiered funding regime replaces the recurrent funding previously allotted to the Fortune Theatre and Southern Sinfonia.

The two organisations have traditionally been in CNZ's premier funding programme, but were overlooked for the new Arts Leadership Investment Programme (Toi Totara Haemata), which provides long-term funding for leading arts organisations.

They were instead relegated to the second tier contestable funding programme, the Arts Development Investment Programme (Toi Uru Kahikatea), which offers short-term funding of up to two years to non-key organisations.

The Fortune previously received $480,000 per annum, but will now receive $450,000 for each of the next two years.

"While the Fortune has not secured a place in the Totara programme, the practical reality is that it is business as usual," board chaiman Peter Brown said yesterday.

"The security of another two years' funding gives us the opportunity to consolidate ... and show that the Fortune is worthy of a place in the vanguard of New Zealand professional theatre," he said.

"We have to earn that place and it is up to us and our community to show that a viable professional theatre can thrive in this part of the world."

The sinfonia retained its $315,000-a-year funding, being allotted $630,000 for the next two years.

"In the circumstances, the outcome is pleasing and retains the status quo. We can now plan for the next couple of years with confidence," Southern Sinfonia board president Stephen Christensen said yesterday.

However, the process had been "a difficult one", with Creative New Zealand "unable to provide clarity around their decision-making criteria", Mr Christensen said.

"The lack of clarity from Creative New Zealand around the criteria for funding under the new programmes has been problematic."

CNZ chief executive Stephen Wainwright said that the Fortune "came close" to securing Totara funding.

"We expect the new management team have still got a bit more to do yet, to establish a track record, but they're well placed to apply again in the future," Mr Wainwright said.

"The Fortune has been very well funded by us. It's a challenging environment in Dunedin, where you're operating in a modest population catchment. Our research showed that they're highly valued by their communities and we'll continue to invest in them and support them."

Other Otago arts organisations to receive funding confirmation yesterday were the Blue Oyster Arts Trust ($95,855), Dunedin Public Art Gallery ($164,615), Otago Festival of the Arts ($90,000), the Southern Lakes Arts Festival Trust ($96,000) and the Dunedin Fringe Arts Trust ($25,000).

Other arts organisation to receive funedin confirmationd yesterday were. - Theatre (Toi Totara Haemata - funding for 2012-14, unless noted otherwise): Auckland Theatre Company, $2.79 million;Bats Theatre, $885,000; Capital E, $810,000 (2012-13); Centrepoint Theatre, $1.37 million; Massive Company, $410,000 (2012-13);Playmarket, $996,000; Taki Rua Productions, $1.26 million; The Court Theatre, $1.784 million (2012-13).

(Toi Uru Kahikatea - funding for 2012-13, unless noted otherwise): Circa + Tact, $1.2 million; Downstage Theatre Trust,$650,000; Fortune Theatre, $900,000; Indian Ink Theatre Company, $206,992 (2012); Prompt Incorporated, $67,494; Red LeapCharitable Trust, $178,927 (2012); Silo Theatre Trust, 320,000 (2012); Tawata Productions, $386,280; The Shakespeare GlobeCentre NZ, $100,000; Young and Hungry Arts Trust, $172,500.

Music (Toi Totara Haemata - funding for 2012-14, unless noted otherwise): Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, $4.2 million(2012-13); Chamber Music New Zealand, $2.3 million; NBR New Zealand Opera, $7.4 million; New Zealand String Quartet,$780,000. (Toi Uru Kahikatea - funding for 2012-13, unless noted otherwise): Audio Foundation, $103,600 (2012); Centre for NewZealand Music (Sounz), $172,500 (2012); Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand, $520,000; Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, $1.5million; New Zealand Choral Federation, $300,000; New Zealand Trio Foundation, $280,000; Southern Sinfonia, $630,000;Strike Percussion, $89,500, 2012; Vector Wellington Orchestra, $730,000.

Dance and performing arts (Toi Totara Haemata - funding for 2012-14, unless noted otherwise): Black Grace, $1.62 million;DANZ Dance Aotearoa New Zealand, $973,500; Touch Compass, $666,000 (2012-13). (Toi Uru Kahikatea - funding for2012-2013, unless noted otherwise): Atamira Dance Collective Charitable Trust, $665,000; Footnote Dance Company, $740,000;Kahurangi New Zealand Maori Dance Trust, $599,280; New Zealand Dance Advancement Trust $1 million; Okareka DanceCompany Limited, $200,000 (2012); Pacific Dance New Zealand, $100,000 (2012); Touch Compass, $25,000 (bridging until endof 2011).

Wider visual arts (Toi Totara Haemata - funding for 2012-14, unless noted otherwise): Artspace Aotearoa, $918,000;Objectspace, $801,000; Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust, $574,000, 2012-13; The Physics Room, $750,000. (Toi UruKahikatea - funding for 2012-13, unless noted otherwise): Art and Industry Biennial Trust, $217,990; Artists Alliance, $89,920(2012); Asia New Zealand Foundation, $32,250; Blue Oyster Arts Trust, $95,855 (2012); Dunedin Public Art Gallery, $164,615;Enjoy Public Art Gallery, $86,990 (2012); eyeCONTACT, $50,000 (2012); Intercreate Trust, $50,000 (2012); McCahon House Trust,$54,000; The Big Idea Te Aria Nui Charitable Trust, $60,000.

Multi-artform (all funding for 2012-13, unless noted otherwise): Toi Totara Haemata: Arts Access Aotearoa, $558,000;Auckland Festival Trust, $700,000; New Zealand International Arts Festival, $1.551 million, 2012-14; Toi Maori Aotearoa, $1.5million. (Toi Uru Kahikatea - funding for 2012-13, unless noted otherwise): Arts on Tour NZ Trust, $434,000; Dunedin FringeArts Trust, $25,000 (2012); Otago Festival of the Arts, $90,000; Southern Lakes Arts Festival Trust, $96,000;Literature (Toi Totara Haemata): New Zealand Book Council, $512,000 (2012-13). (Toi Uru Kahikatea - funding for 2012,unless noted otherwise): Auckland University Press, $47,000; Auckland Writers and Readers Festival Charitable Trust,$88,339; Bridget Williams Books Ltd, 23,000; Michael King Writers Studio Trust, $69,000; New Zealand Society of Authors,$66,385; Penguin Group NZ, $17,500; Random House NZ Limited, $36,000; University of Otago College of Education, $18,428(2013); Victoria University Press, $26,000.

- nigel.benson@odt.co.nz

 

 

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement