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A bold plan to devolve the way our arts are funded through ‘regional partnerships’ is revealed. Mark Amery reports for The Big Idea.
Our arts development and funding agency is undertaking one of the most fundamental shifts New Zealand has ever had in how we fund art, and artists.
Considering CNZ’s recently released 15 year strategy Tū Mai Rā, Toi Aotearoa arts respondents have noted the bold aspiration of seeing “empowered communities, of all kinds, making decisions on the arts and ngā toi Māori closest to them.” Yet those responses – from experienced arts managers and critics – make clear there hasn’t been a full announcement of the major structural changes that are planned.
The change lies quietly behind the words of a CNZ tender published at the end of April, and I’ve interviewed La Roche for a full explanation.
The tender calls for expressions of interest by 29 May from groups around the motu to enter regional partnerships with CNZ to deliver arts development, administer and distribute regional funding, and connect, partner and advocate for the arts in their region. These partnerships are to commence from July 2027, or earlier, if partners are ready.
‘Regional funding’ turns out to be far wider than projects being delivered in different regions. It sees, with the exception of national arts organisations, non-regionally based initiatives, international projects and national advocacy work, funding decisions being made by up to 16 independent regional organisations.
La Roche confirms this includes funding to artists. In other words, artists and arts companies will apply for funding to the regional organisation in which they are based. These organisations will do so under contract with CNZ.
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