New work that pushes boundaries, professional development opportunities, projects preserving and strengthening traditional Maori and Pacific arts, and the presentation of outstanding work both in New Zealand and overseas have been supported with grants in Creative New Zealand latest project funding round.New work that pushes boundaries, professional development opportunities, projects preserving and strengthening traditional Maori and Pacific arts, and the presentation of outstanding work both in New Zealand and overseas have been supported with grants in Creative New Zealand latest project funding round.Creative New Zealand Chief Executive Elizabeth Kerr said the organisation offered a total of 307 grants supporting projects across all artforms.

"The grants reflect a tremendous range of arts activity happening throughout New Zealand," she said. "Among the grants are exciting youth projects, work by diverse cultural groups, challenging new work that fuses different artforms, experimental new media and film projects, and outstanding work by senior artists."

In this funding round, Creative New Zealand received a total of 805 applications requesting nearly $13.48 million across its three funding bodies - the Arts Board, Te Waka Toi and the Pacific Arts Committee - and the Screen Innovation Production Fund, a partnership fund between Creative New Zealand and the New Zealand Film Commission. In the end, the organisation was able to offer 307 grants totalling nearly $3.87 million.

Through its project funding rounds, Creative New Zealand supports artists and arts organisations to tour their work throughout New Zealand. For instance, Auckland singer/songwriter Maurice Banse (Mo'Reece) was offered a $5000 grant towards the cost of a national tour promoting his original music. And Gifted and Maori Ltd will undertake a national tour of young musicians performing in te reo Maori with the support of a $30,000 grant.

"Creative New Zealand's support for touring is one of the ways we can provide opportunities for New Zealanders to experience high-quality arts," Miss Kerr said.

As part of its International Strategy, Creative New Zealand also offers grants to artists and arts organisations wishing to present their work internationally. For instance, Black Pearl Ltd was offered a $20,000 grant towards Moana and the Tribe's Live and Proud tour to Europe and the United States.

"As well as profiling New Zealand arts on the world stage, these grants for international activity also help artists develop new audiences and markets for their work," Miss Kerr said.

In every funding round, all the applications are read and assessed by the relevant committees, made up of arts practitioners and Chair by a member of either the Arts Board or Te Waka Toi. Every application to the Pacific Arts Committee is read by two external assessors, plus the Pacific Arts Committee members. The assessors recommendations are reviewed and the boards make the final decisions.

"The voice of artists, heard through these external assessors, is the key to our grants' decision-making process," Miss Kerr said. "Collectively, they bring a vast knowledge and expertise to the table. It's a stimulating, challenging job and we value greatly the time and effort they put into the process."

Applications to Creative New Zealand's next funding round close on Friday 30 July 2004. Copies of The Funding Guide: Nga Putea 2004-2005 are available from Creative New Zealand offices or can be downloaded from the resources section of its website www.creativenz.govt.nz