Creative Communities Scheme fund recipients announced

A raft of creative events are in the pipeline for Hamilton, following the latest round of the Creative Communities Scheme.

Twenty seven applicants were successful in applying for funding, with grants giving a financial boost to theatre productions, drumming courses, concerts, exhibitions, drag shows, pottery workshops and more.

Creative Waikato funding and development advisor Adrienne Clothier says arts funding is in huge demand in Hamilton.

Forty-four applications were received for this funding round, requesting a total of $169,826 for various creative projects and initiatives in Hamilton.

“With about $68,000 available to give out, and a really high standard of applications, it was a tough job for our assessment committee to allocate the funding,” she says.

“However, we are so excited to be able to fund 27 incredible projects, and can’t wait to see how they bring the city to life when Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.”

One recipient thrilled to receive funding was Liam Hinton from One Question Theatre.

The $4000 grant will go towards a stage adaptation of Tracey Slaughter’s 2015 novella The Longest Drink in Town, due to be staged at The Meteor Theatre in 2022.

The Longest Drink in Town takes place over one day and follows five children from two families caught in the crossfire of a tumultuous divorce.

The funding will contribute to venue and equipment hire, set building materials, props, costumes, promotion and paying actors and crew.

Liam says the funding will remove budget restrictions and help the production reach its potential.

“It’s incredibly freeing to be part of a creative project that isn’t in a constant state of compromise due to budgetary restrictions – this grant will really help our project flourish.”

Hamilton’s Creative Communities Scheme is administered by Creative Waikato on behalf of Hamilton City Council.

View the full list of funding recipients here. The next funding round is due to open 17 January 2022.