ARTS FUNDING CRISIS: WE NEED TO GROW THE PIE, NOT FIGHT OVER SCRAPS – Equity NZ

Equity New Zealand is disappointed to see that yet again, the wider Arts sector has been ignored in the budget. The three organisations receiving funding increases are already crown-funded and are not impacted by the decline in revenue from the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board, as the rest of the sector is. Creative New Zealand expects to receive $11 million less this financial year than it did two years ago.(1) This shortfall is a similar figure to the $11.6 million awarded to the crown-funded organisation set to receive increases.(2)

“We would like to see the whole pie grow so the industry doesn’t have to fight over scraps”
“These organisations do wonderful work and we support them whole heartedly” says Equity New Zealand President Jennifer Ward-Lealand “we have no interest in being pitted against other Arts organisations over funding. We would like to see the whole pie grow so the industry doesn’t have to fight over scraps.”

Investment in the Arts provides a great return to the economy. Aside from the economic benefit arising from adjacent industries such as tourism and hospitality, the Arts are the lifeblood of our community. “Our stories, our history, and our culture are preserved and celebrated through the Arts,” says Ms Ward-Lealand. “whilst any funding increase in the sector is a step in the right direction, a rich Arts scene requires more than a handful of well funded organisations. If the Government recognises the importance of the Arts as Maggie Barry has said they do,(3) they haven’t shown it.”

Equity New Zealand believes the whole Arts sector needs to be adequately and reliably funded. It is calling upon those individuals interested in working towards this goal to make contact.