31 March 2021

Innovation Fund invites bold ideas for the future of arts, culture and heritage

Kia rapahoe te uru, anō he matimati nō Tangaroa ā te Toi.
When the blade of the steering paddle plunges into the water, it becomes the creative fingers of Tangaroa.

Today, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Hon Carmel Sepuloni announced the details for the first round of the Cultural Sector Innovation Fund, which takes a different approach to supporting new ideas.

The purpose of the Fund is to support innovative projects that improve the sustainability and resilience of the cultural sector. There will also be a focus on supporting projects that will safeguard mātauranga Māori while nurturing its innovation potential.

Round one of this $60 million three-year fund is being delivered through a nationwide series of regional and online events called Te Urungi: Innovating Aotearoa. These immersive, collaborative events are designed to fuel bold ideas that will enable arts, culture and heritage to thrive.

Te Urungi references the steering paddle of the waka hourua. This paddle guides these ocean-going waka, driving them towards their destination with stability and agility. An apt metaphor for this collective innovation journey.

These events will allow teams and individuals with different skills, experiences and perspectives to come together to develop innovative projects that improve sector sustainability and resilience, increase commercial opportunities, and improve access and participation in arts, culture and heritage for everyone.

Throughout the events participants will be supported by mentors and experts to explore their ideas and develop them into a proposal for funding.

After each event, the projects with the most potential to deliver the Fund outcomes will receive funding to support their further development. Everyone will walk away with new knowledge, skills and connections.

More than just an event series, Te Urungi will bring people together to form connections and to foster an ongoing, collaborative ecosystem dedicated to exploring innovative solutions around arts, culture and heritage for the duration of this Fund and beyond.

Who can register?

Registrations to Te Urungi are open to teams and individuals who work in arts, culture and heritage, as well as the tech sector, entrepreneurs, community organisations and others.

Anyone who has an idea for an innovative project with the potential to increase sustainability, access and participation or commercial opportunities within the sector is encouraged to register.

The first events

Te Urungi: Whanaganui-a-Tara Wellington region
Date: Friday evening 30 April - Sunday 2 May 2021
Where: Porirua (venue tbc)
Registrations: Open 14 April, 10am

Te Urungi Online: Developed projects
Date: Wednesday 12 then 26 May 2021
Registrations: Open 14 April, 10am

The dates and venues for additional regions will be added as they are confirmed. In the meantime, you can express your interest in your preferred region to receive email updates.

Online information sessions

Manatū Taonga is hosting two online information sessions about Te Urungi: Innovating Aotearoa. These will be delivered through Facebook Live and YouTube Live

Friday 9 April, 12.30 - 1.30pm
Monday 12 April, 7.00 - 8.00pm

Cultural Installations and Events overview available

A fund overview of Ngā Puninga Toi ā-Ahurea me ngā Kaupapa Cultural Installations and Events is now available on the Manatū Taonga website. Applications open for funding in early April 2021.

This funding round provides between $1,000 and $20,000 for installations and events.

They must be free to experience and bring culture and creativity to people in our communities. They’ll be in easy to access spaces people regularly go or are easy to discover, such as community hubs, shopping malls, parks, beaches, marae, churches, reserves, or along a waterfront.

While funding is broadly available to cultural sector practitioners, collectives or organisations in Aotearoa, we are prioritising some communities and projects. They include projects led by Māori and Pacific cultural organisations and practitioners, as well as projects that support access for people with disabilities, provide skill development opportunities for emerging and established cultural practitioners, and create employment in the regions.

You are encouraged to start planning your project and application now using the overview information on the Manatū Taonga website.

We’ll let you know when the funding is open for applications. At that time, more information about how to apply, detailed eligibility and project criteria and application guidance will also be available.

More information

For the latest information on other initiatives in the Arts and Culture COVID Recovery Programme, see the Manatū Taonga website
If you have specific questions, email us at support.culture@mch.govt.nz
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