Waiting to hear if your funding application has been approved can feel like an eternity.

Which makes a delay in said reply even more nerve-wracking.

Applicants for Creative New Zealand's (CNZ) Arts Organisations and Groups Fund were informed on Tuesday (6 August) by the Arts Development Service team that the result notifications have been delayed to Monday 12 August 5pm, after the original timeframe was set for Wednesday (7 August).

This particular fund has two separate streams - for those seeking up to $50,000 and those requesting between $50,000- $125,000 per year. The fund allows creative organisations to apply for up to 2 years' worth of funding, so up to $250k in some cases.

The round closed for applications on 29 May – allowing 10 weeks to process.

In reply to The Lowdown's inquiry about the delay, Creative NZ stated "The Arts Organisations and Groups Fund is part of our new series of For the Arts programmes and, in effect, replaces Annual Arts Grants.

"We’ve had a significant number of applications, and as a result, we’ve pushed the notification timeline out by five days. The additional time has been needed given the high volume and complexity of the multi-year applications to the fund, and to ensure we’ve been able to support as many applications as possible." 

Several creative organisations contacted The Lowdown to express their frustrations at the delay - explaining the impact it can have, even by a matter of days.

"This is the first major funding outcome under the new (CNZ) system and everyone is on pause - waiting – and given the current budgets so many face, it's a very anxious wait."

They pointed out that plans get made around this date - looking to be able to react as quick as possible to the news - favourable or otherwise.  "I know we had several things arranged such as board meetings, meetings to green-light projects or otherwise this week. 

"So again we are put into reactive mode and need to change a whole heap of stuff with very little notice."

Many arts board members and stakeholders do so on a voluntary basis, or as one of many hats they wear in and out of the creative sector. Arranging times all (or even a quorum) can attend a meeting can often be an arduous task. 

Same applies to meeting with contractors and suppliers, organising emergency meetings to move quickly on the next steps that could make or break the potential project's delivery.

Creatives detailed the flow-on effect of "once again pushing other overworked people in the arts", explaining it's highly disruptive to everyone from comms freelancers to creatives needing to make a call on which projects they accept (and turn down).

Many creative organisations are now spending their week in re-shuffle mode.

One creative that approached The Lowdown acknowledged this is rare from CNZ - usually any delays in funding notification are a matter of hours rather than days - but expressed that "the same courtesy is never extended the other way when applications are due".

Several felt applicants should have been given more of a heads up of the delay than the day before.

"The late notice meant we all had dropped into the anxiety zone, knowing it was imminent and your next couple of years of planning were about to be dashed or approved. 

"The email (from CNZ to applicants) highlights the large number of applicants - implying more than they expected and therefore budgeted. So sends you into a fairly pessimistic space." 

CNZ listened to the creative community about the old, antiquated funding system and made sweeping changes. The fact remains For The Arts and its many strands are a vast improvement on the previous model.  But that's not to say there won't still be teething problems as they're rolled out.

A nervous weekend awaits for many. 

Donors make a difference
 

As well as funding, the arts rely heavily on patronage - those willing to reach into their own pockets to reward creativity.

That can be in award form - like philanthropist Chris Parkin putting up $25,000 for the biennial Parkin Drawing Prize, this year won by Lower Hutt's Ella Jones (details here on The Big Idea).

Others do so by funding projects that help bring creativity into our communities.

 The 2024/25 SOUNZ Community Commission - bringing together professional composers and community groups to create and perform a new work - has been chosen, with composer Jacob Barrett to collaborate with the Wellington Regional Hospital Orchestra and Choir to create a suite of nine short orchestral lullabies.

The anonymous donor, who has generously supported this project for 25 years, selected the winning proposal.

Barrett enthuses "I am so humbled to receive this commission; I have been wanting to create this suite for some time, and with the support of SOUNZ, I will finally be able to partner with the Manawa Ora Orchestra and Choir to make it a reality. 

"Working with the wonderful Manawa Ora musicians - all of whom are local healthcare professionals that love to play music for others - is going to be a fantastic experience. I can't wait to share what we create with our community!

"This commission will allow me to create a suite of nine works dedicated to the nine whetū (stars) of Matariki (which will be premiered around the time of their annual Matariki concert). This piece will bring together patients, healthcare staff, families, friends, and more to co-create music that celebrates everything Matariki represents in terms of improving health within our communities, spending time with whānau, and the cultural significance of the Māori new year."

Book brilliance celebrated

The Topp Twins are synonymous with success in this country - now they have another accolade. 

Jools and Lynda's book Untouchable Girls: The Topp Twins Story has claimed the Nielsen BookData NZ Award for the bestselling New Zealand title at the 2024 Aotearoa New Zealand Book Industry Awards.

It wasn't the book's only triumph, with its publisher, Allen and Unwin NZ, winning the Marketing and Publicity Strategy of the Year Award for the "innovative" campaign that took the Topps to the top.

 Among the 15 other awards dished out at the gala ceremony to honour booksellers, publishers and book trade stalwarts at Auckland's Crowne Plaza, Petronellas Bookstore in Tekapo and The Booklover in Milford, Auckland jointly won Nielsen BookData NZ Bookshop of the Year.

The judges noted, “The decision was difficult, but ultimately Petronella’s and The Booklover share the award for their business success, place in the community, inviting stores and for their outstanding knowledge of their respective markets.” 

Moa Press won Publisher of the Year - impressive considering it was only established in 2022 - new website BookHub claimed the Innovation Award, Māori Made Easy by Scotty Morrison has won the inaugural Audiobook of the Year Award, with its publisher Penguin Random House New Zealand recognised with the Mana Māori Award.

Fungi of Aotearoa New Zealand by Liv Sisson (Penguin Random House NZ) and The Observologist by Giselle Clarkson (Gecko Press) were announced as the joint Booksellers’ Choice Winners. The two titles won in a vote by booksellers across the motu as the local titles they most enjoyed selling. 

The Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed on Mike Hill and Susan Holmes, the founders of sales and distribution agency BookReps, growing from its humble beginnings in 1996 out the back of a car to one of the most respected book agencies in the country.

Booksellers Aotearoa New Zealand association manager Renee Rowland acknowledges it's been a challenging year for the industry.

“Booksellers, like most retailers, are impacted by the softening in sales across the motu. The winners celebrated (at the Awards gala) have all pushed the boat out, working extremely hard - as all our bookseller members do - to ensure success now and in the future."

Publishers Association of New Zealand president Graeme Cosslett adds “These award winners are among the very many significant achievers in an industry that understands what it takes to publish and sell winning books. Each year I think book production values can’t get any better, that we can’t possibly find authors that will outsell the last best books, but we do.

“By being laser-focused on the market, and nurturing the immense writing talent we have here in New Zealand, we go one better each year."

Got news, awards or industry insights you think should be considered for The Lowdown? email editor@thebigidea.co.nz