Funding cut to increase pressure on philanthropy

Funding cut to increase pressure on philanthropy

For Immediate Release - 31/03/2016

The Arts Foundation says philanthropic support for the arts has the potential to plug some of the gap left in arts funding announced by Creative New Zealand today.

Following a significant decline in revenue from the New Zealand LotteryGrant Board, Creative New Zealand has announced it is reviewing its budget for 2016/17. Creative New Zealand receives two-thirds of its annual revenue from Lotto NZ profits, and is set to receive $11 million less this financial year than in 2013/14. The announcement came as a warning to the arts community to expect major reductions in funding. Creative New Zealand suggest that artists and organisations that receive funding be prepared to expect 10% less financial support from them.

The Arts Foundation does not want to see a decline in funding for the arts and is concerned about the impact that this announcement will have. However, throughout its 13 years of operation, the Foundation has instigated good growth in arts philanthropy. New Zealand philanthropists already contribute a great deal to the arts landscape. The Foundation forecasts continued growth in donations to the arts and is committed to building a culture in which arts philanthropy can thrive.

The Arts Foundation has implemented a number of ways in which donors can contribute to the arts. Designated Purpose Funds have been established by generous philanthropists wanting to gift financial awards to artists working in a specified discipline. A $200,000 donation generates enough funds to create and administer a new award of $10,000 for biennial presentation. The Mallinson Rendel Illustrators Award and the Marti Friedlander Photographic Award have seen artists such as photographer Jono Rotman and illustrator Gavin Bishop supported in this way.

The Foundation is also launching a “pass through” funding facility whereby donors are able to make donations to the Arts Foundation for New Zealand arts projects and receive a tax credit.
However, the Arts Foundation’s most powerful tool is Boosted.

Launched in 2013, Boosted is Australasia’s only crowd-funding platform dedicated to the arts. In its three years of operation, almost $2million has been granted to a huge array of arts and creative projects across New Zealand. Boosted provides tools to artists and arts organisations through their Boosted School of Crowdfunding to enable them to inspire their communities of supporters to support them by making a donation and investing in their art and careers. All donations to Boosted projects qualify for a tax credit.

Artists and organisations seeking philanthropic support for their projects are encouraged to contact the Arts Foundation for a free consultation.

© Scoop Media