Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The Andrew & Sharon Welch Fund provides grants to individuals pursuing opportunities in drama, music, and visual arts within the Rotorua and Taupō districts of New Zealand. The fund offers a total of $8,500 in funding to support artistic development, participation, training, education, and creative opportunities for eligible New Zealand citizens and permanent residents with connections to these communities.
About the Andrew & Sharon Welch Fund
The Andrew & Sharon Welch Fund was established to encourage and support individuals who are actively pursuing opportunities in the creative arts. The fund focuses on helping emerging and developing artists access experiences, training, resources, and opportunities that can contribute to their artistic growth and long-term development.
Recognising the important role that arts and culture play in enriching communities, the fund aims to remove financial barriers that may prevent talented individuals from participating in artistic activities or advancing their creative careers.
The programme supports people involved in drama, music, and visual arts and seeks to strengthen artistic talent and creative participation across the Rotorua and Taupō districts.
Fund Objectives
The Andrew & Sharon Welch Fund aims to:
- Support participation in artistic and cultural activities
- Encourage personal and professional development in the arts
- Promote artistic excellence and creative growth
- Assist individuals in accessing educational and training opportunities
- Support emerging and developing artists
- Strengthen local arts communities
- Increase access to creative opportunities
- Foster artistic achievement and lifelong learning
- Encourage cultural engagement within Rotorua and Taupō communities
The fund is designed to help individuals pursue meaningful opportunities that contribute to their artistic journey and future aspirations.
Funding Available
The fund provides grants valued at:
- Total funding available: $8,500
Funding is intended to assist individuals pursuing opportunities related to:
- Drama
- Music
- Visual arts
The grant may support a wide range of artistic development activities, provided they align with the fund’s charitable purpose and artistic focus areas.
Supported Artistic Disciplines
Drama
The fund supports individuals involved in dramatic arts and theatre-related activities.
Examples may include:
- Acting training
- Theatre workshops
- Performance development programmes
- Drama education courses
- Theatre productions
- Creative performance opportunities
- Professional development in dramatic arts
Funding may help participants gain skills, experience, and exposure within the performing arts sector.
Music
Individuals pursuing opportunities in music may seek support for activities that contribute to their musical education and artistic development.
Examples include:
- Music lessons and training
- Instrumental development
- Vocal training
- Performance opportunities
- Music workshops
- Music education programmes
- Competitions and artistic development activities
- Professional music training
The fund aims to encourage growth and excellence within the music community.
Visual Arts
The programme also supports individuals working in visual arts disciplines.
Examples may include:
- Painting
- Drawing
- Sculpture
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Mixed media art
- Visual arts workshops
- Exhibitions
- Artistic development programmes
Funding may assist artists in developing skills, participating in Exhibitions, or accessing educational opportunities.
Who Can Apply?
The fund is designed for individuals with strong connections to the Rotorua and Taupō communities.
Eligible applicants include:
- Emerging artists
- Students pursuing artistic opportunities
- Creative practitioners
- Individuals participating in arts development programmes
- People seeking training or advancement in drama, music, or visual arts
Applicants must meet the residency and citizenship requirements outlined by the programme.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for funding, applicants must:
- Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- Reside within the Rotorua or Taupō districts, or
- Have family connections to the Rotorua or Taupō districts
- Be pursuing opportunities in drama, music, or visual arts
- Use the funding solely for the approved charitable purpose
- Submit a complete application before the deadline
Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Applicants should clearly demonstrate how the funding will support their artistic development and future opportunities.
Eligible Uses of Funding
Funding may be used to support opportunities that contribute to artistic participation, education, and development.
Examples may include:
- Training programmes
- Workshops and masterclasses
- Educational courses
- Artistic development opportunities
- Performance participation
- Exhibition opportunities
- Creative project costs
- Professional development activities
- Artistic resources and materials
- Travel associated with approved artistic opportunities
All funded activities must directly relate to drama, music, or visual arts and align with the charitable objectives of the fund.
Recipient Responsibilities
Successful applicants must comply with all grant conditions and accountability requirements.
Recipients are expected to:
- Use funding only for the approved purpose
- Spend the grant within 12 months of receiving it
- Maintain records of expenditure
- Participate in reporting requirements
- Comply with all conditions established by the Foundation
Recipients should ensure that all grant-funded activities are completed within the approved timeframe.
Reporting Requirements
Grant recipients are required to provide evidence of how the funding was used and the outcomes achieved.
Within six months of receiving the grant, recipients must submit a written report outlining:
- How the funding was spent
- Activities completed
- Opportunities accessed
- Skills or experience gained
- Personal and professional benefits achieved
- Impact on artistic development
This reporting helps demonstrate the value of the fund and its contribution to supporting artists within the community.
Selection Process
Applications are assessed and selected by the Geyser Community Foundation.
The assessment process may include:
- Review of application materials
- Evaluation of artistic goals and opportunities
- Assessment of eligibility requirements
- Consideration of community connections
- Interviews where required
The Foundation has sole discretion in determining successful applicants.
All funding decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome.
Promotional Activities and Public Recognition
Successful applicants may be invited to participate in activities that help promote the fund and celebrate recipient achievements.
These activities may include:
- Interviews
- Media opportunities
- Foundation promotional campaigns
- Community recognition events
- Social media features
Recipients are encouraged to acknowledge the support received from the Geyser Community Foundation in public communications.
Suggested acknowledgements may include:
- Recognition in promotional materials
- Social media mentions
- Use of the hashtag #geysergifts
These acknowledgements help increase awareness of the programme and encourage future support for the arts.
Grant Conditions
Recipients must comply with all terms and conditions associated with the award.
The grant may be revoked if:
- Funding is used for unapproved purposes
- Grant conditions are breached
- Required reporting is not submitted
- Recipients engage in inappropriate conduct that reflects negatively on the programme
Compliance with all requirements is essential to maintain eligibility and good standing.
Why This Fund Matters
Artists often face financial barriers when pursuing educational opportunities, training programmes, exhibitions, performances, and other activities essential for creative development.
The Andrew & Sharon Welch Fund helps address these challenges by providing targeted support that enables talented individuals to access opportunities that might otherwise be beyond their financial reach.
The fund contributes to:
- Artistic growth and development
- Increased participation in the arts
- Stronger creative communities
- Cultural enrichment within Rotorua and Taupō
- Greater access to artistic education
- Career development opportunities
- Support for emerging talent
By investing in individuals, the programme helps strengthen the wider arts sector and encourages long-term creative achievement.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure that you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident and have residency or family links to the Rotorua or Taupō districts.
Step 2: Identify the Opportunity
Clearly describe the artistic opportunity, programme, project, or development activity for which funding is requested.
Step 3: Explain the Benefits
Demonstrate how the opportunity will contribute to your artistic development, skills, education, or future career goals.
Step 4: Prepare Supporting Information
Gather any relevant documentation that supports your application, including information about the proposed activity or opportunity.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
Complete all application requirements and submit your application before the deadline.
Step 6: Participate if Requested
Be prepared to attend interviews or provide additional information if requested during the assessment process.
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants can improve their chances of success by:
- Clearly explaining their artistic goals
- Demonstrating commitment to their chosen discipline
- Showing how the opportunity will support long-term development
- Providing detailed and realistic plans
- Demonstrating community connections
- Explaining expected outcomes and benefits
- Showing passion and dedication to the arts
Applications that present a clear vision for artistic growth are often more competitive.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Common application weaknesses include:
- Incomplete applications
- Missing eligibility requirements
- Unclear descriptions of proposed activities
- Insufficient explanation of benefits
- Lack of supporting information
- Unrealistic budgets or plans
- Failure to demonstrate artistic commitment
- Late submissions
Applicants should carefully review all requirements before submitting their application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Andrew & Sharon Welch Fund?
The fund provides financial assistance to individuals pursuing opportunities in drama, music, and visual arts within the Rotorua and Taupō districts of New Zealand.
How much funding is available?
The fund provides grants with a total value of $8,500.
Who can apply?
New Zealand citizens or permanent residents who live in, or have family connections to, the Rotorua or Taupō districts may apply.
What artistic disciplines are supported?
The fund supports opportunities in drama, music, and visual arts.
Can the funding be used for education and training?
Yes. Educational programmes, artistic training, workshops, and professional development opportunities may be supported if they align with the fund’s objectives.
How long do recipients have to use the grant?
Funding must generally be used within 12 months of receipt.
Are reporting requirements mandatory?
Yes. Recipients must submit a written report within six months detailing how the grant was used and the impact it had on their artistic development.
Conclusion
The Andrew & Sharon Welch Fund provides valuable support for individuals pursuing opportunities in drama, music, and visual arts across the Rotorua and Taupō districts. By helping artists access training, education, creative projects, and professional development opportunities, the fund plays an important role in strengthening local artistic talent and fostering cultural growth.
Individuals with a strong commitment to artistic development and a clear vision for how funding will enhance their creative journey should consider applying. Projects and opportunities that demonstrate meaningful artistic impact, personal growth, and community connection are likely to be strong candidates for support.
For more information, visit Geyser Community Foundation.
