Local art groups and creative projects across the Coromandel are being offered a helping hand with funding from the Creative Communities Scheme.

Backed by Creative New Zealand the scheme aims to increase participation in the arts, broaden the range and diversity available to communities and enhance and strengthen the local arts sector.

Applications for the latest funding round of the Creative Communities Scheme opened today and will close on April 30, at 4pm.

Applications for the scheme opened today and will close on Friday, April 30, at 4pm.

Funding is awarded to projects rather than people undertaking the project and applications must meet one or more of the scheme's criteria.

The criteria for funding includes: Broad Community Involvement, Diversity, and Young People.

‘Broad Community Involvement' means the project will create opportunities for local communities to engage with and participate in arts activities.

While ‘Diversity' asks for projects that will support the diverse arts and cultural traditions of local communities, at the same time enriching and promoting their uniqueness and cultural diversity.

Lastly, for ‘Young People' the scheme is wanting projects which will enable and encourage young people (under 18 years) to engage with and actively participate in the arts.

Projects or activities that could be funded under the scheme include: exhibitions, productions, concerts, festivals, workshops and presentations offering community involvement in the arts.

Activities supporting the traditions and arts of ethnic communities, youth arts events, artist-led projects involving communities will also be considered.

Applications can also be made for materials for arts activities or programmes, personnel costs for one-off, short-term projects, and promotion and publicity of arts activities

School-based projects outside of the school's normal activities and provide opportunities for community participation or benefits to the wider community are also eligible.

For more information contact Thames-Coromandel District Council Creative Communities coordinator Margaret Harrison on phone: 07-866-1002 or email: margaret.harrison@tcdc.govt.nz

To download an application form visit: www.tcdc.govt.nz/ccs