Applications open from February 3 to 28, 2020
Venkat Raman
The government has created a new avenue for funding creative and cultural events.
Called, ‘Major Events Fund,’ the initiative will recognise and reward events that highlight New Zealand’s diverse culture and build national pride.
The Fund will provide about $1.5 million until June 2022 for creative events that meet the set criteria. The focus will be on Maori and Pasifika arts and culture.
Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford said that ‘Creative and Cultural Events Incubator’ will be open to applicants from Monday, February 3, 2020 to Friday, February 28, 2020.
“Creative and cultural events have historically received less support than sports under the Major Events Fund. We recognise creative and cultural events often have a different path to success, which is why we have established the Incubator to support this growth and development,” he said.
Celebrating Culture and Diversity
Mr Twyford said that the Incubator will accord priority to events that celebrate our culture and diversity, and have a vision to be major events of international significance.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for new and existing arts and cultural events to develop and flourish. New Zealand is well known for hosting world-class sporting events; now it is time to focus energy on our creativity and culture, continuing to grow its appeal for our communities and international visitors,” he said.
About Major Events Fund
Established within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Major Events acts as an advisor to government ministers on aligning events to government objectives. It also acts as the link between the events sector and the operational and leverage arms of the government, as an investor in events to achieve outcomes that align with government priorities and partners with other event stakeholders to attract, deliver and leverage major events.
In July 2019, the Major Events Fund changed its direction to prioritise events that build national pride and celebrate New Zealand culture, as well as having a greater focus on arts and cultural events.
The Creative and Cultural Events Incubator was established to ensure that arts and cultural events are supported alongside sporting events.
For further information, please visit www.majorevents.govt.nz
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Photo Caption:
- Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford (INL File Photo)
- Image from Ministry for Culture and Heritage Website
