While no Auckland City Council Community Group Assistance Fund cash was granted to several LGBT community groups who applied for it recently, Takataapui entertainer Mika says he's grateful that the Mika Haka Foundation's similar request for funding was approved this year, in addition to other Council support.
The $7,000 received from Auckland City Community Group Assistance Funding will enable the Foundation's free Kā Fitness and Wellbeing in Secondary Schools Programme (Body + Mind = Action) to increase its outreach capacity to include this August's TOA TOA Dance Championships, Mika tells GayNZ.com.
With additional support from Auckland City Creative Communities, the Kā instructors will also be running a series of LGBT dance workshops in conjunction with Rainbow Youth during September.
Mika is also delighted to announce that the Mika Haka Foundation has received a $30,000 Creative New Zealand grant from Te Waka Toi towards a world class, Takataapui focused, native arts and culture festival. The three day programme of events will be located in central Auckland and timed to coincide with Pasifika 2010.
Auckland City Council gave out over $262,000 in its Community Group Assistance Fund for 2009, but four applications from LGBT community groups - OUTLine NZ, the Charlotte Museum Trust, Body Positive and Rainbow Youth - were declined.
