Creative People's Centre

Creative New Zealand – the insiders guide to funding

In November 08 the CPC presented a seminar focusing on funding options for bands in New Zealand – “The business of music – the insiders guide to funding”. We invited Gretchen La Roche from Creative NZ to come along and talk about the new contestable funding criteria which is being implemented from Feb 09 and also to speak about the Creative communities scheme for which Gretchen is the Senior programme advisor. Unfortunately we could not publish the recording of the seminar but you can view the official funding presentation over at the Creative NZ website. CNZ have made some significant changes to their funding and I would recommend viewing the presentation and downloading the 2009 Contestable Funding Guide if you are interested in applying.

Gretchen’s presentation focused primarily on how musicians and bands can apply for the new funding so I thought I’d outline some of the helpful tips and advice Gretchen offered on the day.

Creative Communities Scheme

“The Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) aims to increase participation in the arts at a local level and increase the range and diversity of arts available to communities. CCS funding is available for community-based arts activities from your local city or district council. You can get application forms and more information from the administrator of the CCS of the city or district council where your activity will take place.” CNZ website

CCS funding grants are usually for amounts up to $1000 and are seen as more of an enabling fund. Gretchen outlined some music focused examples of funding applications including video funding; compilation albums; music workshops or seminars and multi band gigs. When applying for these you grants you need to think about some of the following factors and take them in to consideration when completing your funding application:

• as this is an enabling fund you also need to have other sources of contribution towards the project, this can be “in kind” as well as dollar contributions.
• the activity must be seen to be developing your professional career.
• you must be contributing to the local arts scene. If applying for video funding you could focus on using a local production company, local actors and a local venue all of which would be contributing to your local arts community.

If you would like more information on the CCS scheme you can speak to your local council about application deadlines and specific funding criteria.

National Contestable funding – Quick response grants and Arts grants

I won’t go through all the specifics of these funding pathways as they are available in the CNZ funding guide, so what I thought I would do is just outline a few of the points Gretchen mentioned on the day.

• QRG are for grants of up to $7,500 and have a turnaround time of 6 weeks.
• Arts grants are for applications up to $65,000 and have a turnaround time of 12 weeks.
• CNZ does not fund singles and only really focuses on larger bodies of work like albums. They may look at EP’s but only if it is a considerable body of work and not just 2 or 3 radio friendly singles.
• CNZ do not tend to fund artists who’s music will be played by the commercial radio stations, this is the focus of NZ On Air.
• if applying for tour funding you need to supply a confirmed itinerary, you need to have a good marketing and promotion plan and you must have an album to promote as part of the tour.
• for international tours CNZ only fund the costs of transport and freight, you must fund all other aspects of the tour. For example CNZ funded the airfare for Flip Grater’s international tour.
• CNZ do not do retrospective funding.
• always make sure that you are applying for something which is realistic for your current stage of career eg. don’t apply for a world tour if you haven’t had several national tours.
• innovation is always encouraged and should be addressed in your application.
• the support material is a vital part of your application particularly the letters of support from industry figures. When you release an album or do a national tour make sure you collect as many reviews and letters of support as you can. Building a good network of industry supporters can really pay off when applying for CNZ funding.
• CNZ usually fund one third of applications and always encourage those who didn’t get funding to call their office to get feedback. Always try and get feedback on your funding application as this will help if you decide to apply again at a later date.
• don’t pad your budget when applying for funding. An over inflated budget always calls in to question your project planning.
• CNZ have a funding cap of $25,000 for albums and strongly recommend that you do not apply for the full amount. If you are applying for your first album make sure you don’t put the whole budget in to the recording process and spread the budget between manufacturing, artwork and promotional costs.

One of the most interesting aspects of CNZ’s funding pathways for me is the focus on alternate genres and on artists who may not traditionally find a market in New Zealand. CNZ are recognising that for many artists their key market will be overseas and are really trying to help these artists find and reach these international markets. A very different approach to that of NZ On Air who’s primary focus lies with the more commercial local market. I think both agencies do an amazing and complementary job of supporting local artists and strongly encourage you to look at their different funding options and really think about where you may fit. If you’re applying for CNZ funding make sure you contact your local office to discuss your application and leave us a comment below with any thoughts on their new funding pathways.