Creative Communities Grant Now Open

While Kane has been drawing his whole life, the images he creates have progressed over the years from stick figures, to recreating tattoos featured in magazines, to now using a ball point pen to illustrate musicians.  He likes to draw the voices and people behind the music as he believes songs mean different things to different people.  If the number of pieces Kane has sold is an indication, his moody black and white portraits are clearly touching many.

Knowing Reid wanted to do more with his work but unsure where to start, he stopped into the Feilding Art Centre one day who encouraged him to apply for the Creative Communities Grant.

The Creative Communities Grant is administered through the Manawatū District Council and is open twice a year (March and August).  The first application period opens 1 March and remains open until 31 March.

The grant gives developing creatives the opportunity to apply for funding to host workshops, festivals, exhibitions, or seminars.  Reid used his grant funding to frame his pieces, host an exhibition, and share his medium with others through a workshop – giving Reid the stepping stone needed to become known in the art world.  He now proudly sells his work in the Feilding Art Centre and hosts a weekly drop-in session for other artists of a similar medium.

“I have walked past the art centre a million times thinking they didn’t look like my type of people.  Now I am on the committee, and these are my people,” Kane Reid explains.  “My advice is that the Creative Communities grant is there to be used – so don’t hesitate to apply.”

The Creative Communities Grant is currently open and will close for applications on 31 March.  More information about the criteria and application process can be found by visiting: Creative Communities Fund | Manawatū District Council (mdc.govt.nz)