Creative novelty

It was the arts sector's equivalent of the running of the bulls - a regular event filled with much sound and fury, snorting and tactical manoeuvring.

For 20 years Creative New Zealand's funding applications and decisions assumed near-ritualistic proportions - the filling of forms, the minutia of detail and the long wait for a decision.

Currently CNZ distributes $17m amongst 34 organisations. Now that's about to change with the introduction of CNZ's new funding programmes which will replace the existing Recurrent Funding Programme and the contestable Arts Investment and Sector Investment Programmes. While reluctant to predict the full effects of the new system, the arts sector has generally reacted favourably to the plans.

Alastair Carruthers is a man with few doubts about the benefits from the new systems which, according to the chair of the Arts Council of New Zealand, will provide more clarity, stability and flexibility in the way the country's arts organisations and artists are funded.

"The new programmes will encourage arts organisations and artists to work collaboratively and take a sector-wide view of arts development," Carruthers says.

"Creative New Zealand will continue to support well-run and innovative organisations that provide leadership in the arts and professional development for artists. These organisations must achieve the highest possible standards with careful use of resources. We want to direct our support so talented artists succeed - rather than simply survive - and so New Zealanders can enjoy a diverse range of high-quality art in the future.

"It's also important to make room for new arts organisations to be supported through our multi- year investments."

There had been mounting concerns that the previous systems reflected a "degree" of inflexibility.

Following a lengthy review of funding programmes, submissions reflected "an overwhelming consensus" that change was needed.

"What also emerged was the need for CNZ to step back from 'how' we invest in the arts sector to 'why'," Carruthers says.

Under the new system, the Arts Leadership Investment programme will provide funding for between two and five years to "well-run, financially sound organisations" playing a key role or roles in the creation, presentation and distribution of "high-quality arts experiences to New Zealanders." It replaces the previous recurrent funding programme, which provided one to three year recurring investments but has been closed to new entrants since 2007.

A new Arts Development Investment programme will complement the arts leadership scheme by offering greater flexibility in the range of activities it supports.

Funding will be available for periods from six months to two years for arts organisation, groups and individuals and applicants who might not play a defined key role.

"By splitting a big river into two streams, we're allowing organisations to step back, look at the two systems and determine whether they fit one or the other. CNZ is also encouraging the sector to collaborate; to work together to achieve funding. It will take about 18 months before the new systems take hold but this is a definite signal for organisations to respond."

CNZ was also continuing a "close" dialogue with local authorities on how they can work with it to fund the arts - "in some cases more extensive support for arts groups in their communities," Carruthers adds. "While we can provide a foundation investment, local authorities and audiences also have a role to play in arts funding."

The new systems will cause uncertainty and change - but the full impact on individual organisations will not be known until the systems begin operating in late 2011 early 2012.

The arts sector now has six weeks in which to prepare and register expressions of interest in applying for one of the two new systems.

"I don't want to predict what might or might not happen. We have asked the arts to examine the situation and organise themselves. To be in the leadership role you must tick all the boxes - and there may be fewer organisations falling into this category in future," Carruthers says.

John Bartlett, CEO of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Southern Opera, reacts with "cautious optimism" to the new approach.

"We think that philosophically they've got it right. The new approach is founded on quality and growing art into a number and range of communities, and, most importantly, accountability. To ensure that arts organisations understand what they are about, why they are spending public funds and giving a return on that.

"Broadly the new approach sits well with our own internal position. We had already decided to go from the 'handout' to creating an environment where we are valued by the community so people will put their hands in."

The independent chairwoman of the joint CSO and SO trust board, Therese Arseneau, supports his perspective.

"It presents challenges and opportunities for us. Overall, we welcome this as an innovative approach to creating a more robust infrastructure nationally for the arts."

The orchestra and opera met Creative New Zealand this week for the first time since the new funding system was announced. The discussions, according Bartlett, would establish CNZ's view of where they sat in the system of things before it crafted its expression of interest.

Across at The Court Theatre, chief executive Philip Aldridge describes the review of the systems as "timely" a fact reflected by the arts sector's general support.

"This followed a process of extensive consultation with CNZ. It's been well-managed and they've brought the whole arts sector with them on this journey. Now we can get down to the nitty-gritty of what it means. There's a certain amount of hedging in the document.

"We need to discover, for example, what it means when it says that there will be at least three professional theatres in New Zealand, one in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and at least one opera company and one orchestra. The question is what this means for the arts sector.

"It's about resources. There is only a certain amount of money available for the arts. At the moment every organisation is sparely funded and everyone is hurting. The new approach is a rationalisation which I hope will end up with centres of excellence being properly funded.

"We now have to see whether CNZ has the courage to see this logic through to its conclusion."

- © Fairfax NZ News