The Upper Clutha Community Arts Council has received close to $50,000 this month to distribute for arts initiatives around the Upper Clutha over the next year.

Each year the arts council receives funding from Central Lakes Trust to deliver its Art Support Scheme (CLASS), which is designed to support participation in the arts and the diversity of arts available in the community.

Groups can apply for up to $2,500 from CLASS each year for “anything from an exhibition to a workshop”, Upper Clutha Community Arts Council grants coordinator Susan Manson said.

“We’re happy to support any of the diverse arts,” she said.

In the last year CLASS funding has supported the Tititea Performing Arts Trust with its inaugural four-day dance competition, a new mural in Plunket’s play area, and ‘Planet B’.

Planet B is a short film made by a collective of local video and content creators, Susan told the Wānaka App. 

“[It’s] about climate change but done ‘sci fi’.”

It has also helped support performances at Wānaka Matariki celebrations, among others.

The arts council has been distributing CLASS on behalf of Central Lakes Trust for approximately 20 years and this is the first year the maximum funding per group has increased to $2,500.

The total amount of funding provided for the Upper Clutha is based on the population and the recent census has also boosted the funding pot for 2024 by about a third, Susan said.

The funding area “runs from Makarora all the way to Luggate”, Susan said. 

“We’d like to support groups right across that area, not just Wānaka.”

Applications must be made by groups rather than individuals, but those groups don’t need to be a registered incorporated society or charity to apply.

Susan said the paperwork to apply isn’t too demanding either.

“You can do it in about an hour and a half, and we’re more than happy to provide a committee member to help with the process,” she said. 

Any group which is interested in applying for CLASS can get in touch with Susan to learn more about eligibility criteria or get help with the application process.

CLASS funding is distributed throughout the year with the committee meeting at the start of each month to discuss its most recent applications.

Contact Susan on [email protected] or 027424944.

PHOTO: Deanna Gerlach