26 Thousand Dollars
Reflections on New Zealand arts funding.
Kia ora, welcome to my Substack. I’m in the process of moving articles over from hamishannan.com and look forward to sharing more with you soon. This article was first published on 5 September 2023. Thanks for reading and supporting my work - it means a lot.
In 2022, I received $26,000 in funding for creative projects.
Well, $26,040.74, to be precise.
Is this enough to live on?
No.
Did most of this go to venue hire?
Yes.
Fuckers.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably already aware of the bleak world of creative arts funding in New Zealand.
And if you weren’t aware, welcome.
There’s very little money here for you, too, my friend.
I’m fortunate that, with a background in copywriting and sales, I’m (relatively) good at writing funding applications.
And I’m pretty proud of the work I put into applying for this funding support for my projects.
Does that mean the nine allocations of funding I received, which came from Auckland Council & Local Board Funding, Whangārei District Council, Creative New Zealand, NZ Fringe, Dunedin Fringe, and Auckland Pride, were an absolute breeze to write?
Nope.
Not even close.
Applications take forever.
They’re like babies. Time-sucking gremlins that shit all over your life that you have to take care of for no pay might make you money in the future, but if our education (read: funding) system is anything to go by, that's certainly not a guarantee.
Ah, applications.
What you don’t see here is the multiple rejected applications (13 of them), the many labelled ‘I’ve started, but fuck this shit’, or the ‘I won’t even be starting this, for it has already defeated me’ applications (10, at least).
Over four months in 2022, I wrote between two and four proposals, expressions of interest, or funding applications a week.
A WEEK!
All while working a part-time job, trying to manage creative side hustles, and getting a national Fringe Festival tour of my show Access off the ground.
Suffice it to say I was thriving.
It probably shouldn’t have surprised me when my psychologist turned around and said, “You have burnout.”
She’s very wise.
I should have known something was up when my eyes (yes, my literal eyesight) said, “Hey, I’m going make close-up text real blurry now, that cool?” or when my sleep routine said, “No more for you.”
And the financial outcome of these projects?
Some strategic losses (ooo, exposure), a couple of broke-evens (ya boy can budget), and minimal instances of a tiny profit (rich).
Obviously, I’m not Scrooge McDuck-ing my way through a creative career.
Recently, Creative New Zealand released their latest research into the lives of Aotearoa’s creative professionals.
The median income from creative pursuits alone?
$19,500.
Yikes.
This is not sustainable.
On the other hand, 52% of creatives reported experiencing burnout in the past year. So I’m in good company.
Yes, creatives are resilient.
Sure, art will find a way.
But we’re also tired, increasingly cynical (see above), and suffering through the fuckery that is arts funding in New Zealand.
CNZ Arts Grants have just opened again, so it’s time for me (and many other creatives) to assess whether the relentless funding grind is worth it to create work in 2024.
I still haven’t decided.
This follow-up was published on 29th October 2023:
I wrote an article about my experiences last year with arts funding.
I was surprised how many comments and messages came in response.
People commiserating:
People sharing similar struggles and challenges:
People trying to, or giving up on, supporting a creative career with funding:
It probably shouldn’t have surprised me, we’re all working in the same system.
These are the shared experiences of so many creatives.
I heard from friends and colleagues:
It felt both affirming and uncomfortable to read these responses.
It was nice to hear I wasn’t alone.
I don’t think we talk about this enough with each other.
Oh, and a quick update: after a little stumble a month ago, I can happily report my eyes are back to functioning well. Thank you for your concern x
My high school English teachers also commented.
The joy I felt being validated by a beloved high school teacher is probably akin to the feeling of imposter syndrome leaving the body.
So, that was nice.
In positive news, Creative New Zealand has increased its minimum fair remuneration guidance rate from $25/hour to $30/hour for artists and arts practitioners applying for contestable grants.
Has this increased how much you can apply for as a result?
Sure has!
Just kidding.
It hasn’t.
See, I can keep it light, too.
They say, “Our plea to practitioners is ‘pay yourself’ properly,” so I guess that means questionable transport and rehearsal venues, shitty sets, and sub-par marketing for our future shows?
That’s showbiz, baby.
In less positive news, Creative New Zealand said, “So, you think we’re strapped for cash now? Just watch us, big boy…” and proceeded to jump off the Beehive, which is also quite concerning and means the likelihood of “future shows” (see above) is… uh… dwindling?
Hamish here,
Thanks for following me to the new home for my writing.
Since these pieces were first published, CNZ has introduced new funding programmes. However, with only 8% of creatives receiving individual practitioner grants, the situation remains dire.
I look forward to sharing more of my experiences in future posts.
Hamish
P.S. I’d love to hear your thoughts - see you in the comments!