A new fund to "build the skills and abilities of arts, culture and creative organisations in Dunedin" has been launched.
Dunedin City Council community arts adviser Craig Monk said the council and the Otago Community Trust had pledged $60,000 to establish a contestable fund to offer support to not-for-profit arts and culture organisations.
The council and trust had committed $30,000 each.
The fund was designed to support organisations interested in collaborating with others and to support the sustainability, development and innovation of arts and culture groups.
"One of the key purposes of the fund is to build the skills and abilities of arts, culture and creative organisations in Dunedin."
Creative Dunedin Partnership chairman and Dunedin city councillor Aaron Hawkins said the level of public funding for the arts has been "largely static" since 2008.
"This jointly funded initiative will help our local arts and culture groups... build the capacity they need to make Dunedin one of the world’s great creative cities."
Trust donations manager Carol Melville said arts and culture organisations in Dunedin could apply for up to $10,000.
Organisations would be expected to contribute at least 20% to the final project cost.
Applications close on September 29.
