SoundOut weekly digest | 19-25 October 2009
SoundOut | A Conversation About Funding: A weekly digest of contributions made to the SoundOut forum between the arts community and ASB Community Trust.
Read a summary of the conversations so far and join SoundOut now to add your big ideas.
The ASB Community Trust has called for comments and examples on the following topics.
Topic One | Funding models and innovative funders
Topic Two | Current issues and challenges
Topic Three | In for the long haul - a future-picture for the arts
TOPIC ONE | Funding models and innovative funders
Micro funding, pooling administrative resources and philanthropic bonds were some of the suggestions. Funders who are transparent with clear goals and programmes were rated highly.
Accessing funds for individual artists was one of the issues raised, and the suggestion of organisations providing an ‘umbrella’ for individual applications was discussed.
Suggestion/examples: Margaret Lewis recommended some examples and links including - innovative responses to the current funding crises in the arts, micro funding, pooling administrative resources and philanthropic bonds.
ASBCT response: The Michigan examples of pooling administrative resources are really valuable for organisations looking to maximise funding dollars.
Suggestion/examples: Danny recommended Artangel, who believe giving great artists autonomy to realise their projects as conceived generates a public benefit. He also recommended the Arts Foundation. The transparency of 4Culture was impressive.
“Sometimes funders' goals and programmes are opaque to the practising artist.”
ASBCT response: Agree that funder’s goals are not always clear to applicants.
Simon, from Kaipara, said it was hard to get innovative projects going if there were no organisations in the area and individual artists could not access funding. Local Creative Communities helped, but it is a small amount and you cannot access further funding to make it a more sustainable community asset.
Suggestions/examples: How this is tackled is difficult. This sort of conversation is a step in the right direction. Areas such as Kaipara need innovative funders to see the potential and then together we can look at how to best fund it.
ASBCT response: The Trust has grappled with funding for individuals, particularly in this sector when so many projects come from individual endeavours. Most funding agencies have requirements for applicants to have some type of legal status, financial accounts etc.
Perhaps if an organisation or agency with an appropriate legal entity could "umbrella" applications from individuals (without jeopardising their own funding applications) there may be ways to work around this issue?
Question: Can you recommend other ways to get around this?
TOPIC TWO | Current issues and challenges
Relationship based-partnerships were discussed further.
Forming a well connected board and access to legal and development resources was one of the issues raised. Arts hubs and sharing resources was a possible solution.
Suggestions/examples: Creative Momentum said perhaps this is only required when there is doubt over an application's likelihood to be funded. Making these difficult decisions in dialogue make them more easily swallowed by a funding seeker than a definitive No from a funder.
Suggestions/examples: Jade said in start-up mode it's just a case of finding talented well connected people to sit on the board of directors, working out legal issues and then finding the funding/sponsorship for our big idea.
ASBCT response: At start up time, many organisations struggle to find people and training for boards, access to legal information and development funding. One interesting resource that is being developed is http://creativepeoplescentre.co.nz/
Question: Do you have any examples of arts ‘hubs’ for sharing resources?
TOPIC THREE | In for the long haul – a future picture for the arts
What do you see in 2020?
The Auckland Festival of Photography Trust said
“Maybe we will be riding horses more and have more solar power, certainly by then the current emerging digital natives will have taken over the next strater of arts and culture - lets hope we will have all played our part in motivating them towards their individual artform.”
Add your vision
What would you do if you had $1m for the Northland and Auckland arts sector?
Funding youth/emerging artists - ground roots art awards
Margaret Lewis said winners or finalists could receive an award that helps them take their professional practice further – a professional development, business development or mentoring.
Create a remote artists space
Sharen would buy three properties in remote places.
“What artist, or writer, or song writer, or musician wouldn't be refreshed and invigorated and motivated to create after a week, or two weeks of solitude. You could charge a small amount ie $50 for the week, which could cover the rates and water charges.”
Annual artist commissions, a centre and international exhibitions
The Auckland Festival of Photography Trust would develop a programme of annual artist commissions for the Festival over a ten year period.
“With the rest we'd set up and show our commissioned artist's work in a Auckland Centre For Photography. The Centre would be based on several overseas models and possibly with a tie into the Wellington one around exhibition schedules and artists.
We'd have a curatorial staff and expertise on hand to give us the ability to create/host destination exhibitions for the public during the Festival. And also open year round.
We'd also bring to Auckland a series of international must see exhibitions and the artists too.”
SoundOut Forum | A Conversation About Funding
The ASB Community Trust wants to hear your ideas about its long-term funding policy to help the arts develop, thrive and grow in Auckland and Northland.
The Trust is reviewing its arts funding policy to make sure it is meeting its objective of "supporting creative projects and organisations that aim to foster access, engagement and experience in the arts".
In an innovative first for the Trust, it is using The Big Idea’s SoundOut forum to connect, listen and respond to ideas from the arts community. Find out more.
