The Taranaki Regional Committee was launched in 2007 and thanks to the generous support of the TSB Community Trust is able to offer funding opportunities to support Taranaki youth involved in the performing arts.

The committee seeks to support talented young Taranaki performers and provide educational and training opportunities specifically designed to assist and develop their skills in the performing arts.   Grants are open to artists from anywhere in the Taranaki District and are available in three categories to support performers in the varying stages of their development. 

The committee operates two annual funding rounds closing on 31 March and 30 September each year.

Grants  are available for Secondary School, Elite Tertiary level and Groups and Organisations, under the following criteria:

Secondary School

• Open to secondary school students 12-18 yrs living in the Taranaki district
• For use toward the cost of personal education, training and/or development of the performing arts within Taranaki or New Zealand

Groups and Organisations

• Open to groups whose members are based within the Taranaki district
• For use towards the cost of group training and/or development of the performing arts within Taranaki or New Zealand; or
• To support a performance or event that provides opportunities for youth

Elite Tertiary level

• Open to performers from the Taranaki District undertaking Tertiary study in an area of performing arts within New Zealand or overseas
• For use toward the cost of personal education, training and/or development of performing arts within New Zealand or overseas

For further information and to apply contact:

The Dame Malvina Major Foundation
Taranaki Regional Committee
PO Box 146
New Plymouth 4340

Phone 06 758 0956, Fax 06 757 5081
Email: abby.jones@staplestaranaki.co.nz

Download the application form (192k PDF)

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Outstanding Achievers

Bryony Williams

Elite Grant Recipient: 2007 - 2008 - 2009

Bryony Williams is a young Taranaki woman whose talent for opera singing is being appreciated by audiences all across New Zealand.

Bryony has just begun her 3rd year at the New Zealand School of Music, where she is completing a bachelor of music majoring in classical music voice; and she hopes to continue with post-graduate studies beyond this year if she is able to.

In 2009 Bryony took 3rd place in the 'Class 29' operatic aria section of the New Zealand Aria awards, and more recently was named one of 24 students to be invited to the coveted New Zealand Opera School for a week-long intensive programme for burgeoning opera talent, held in January this year.  Most of the selected students, from all over New Zealand, are completing tertiary music studies with intentions of becoming professional opera singers - so Bryony was in great company!  The intensive vocal, language, movement and acting training fosters the growth of opera in New Zealand by nurturing the talents of promising young singers.

In preparation for her professional career, Bryony will now be able to spend time in front of a larger audience performing with other professionals, having recently secured a spot in the NBR New Zealand Opera Chorus performing Verdi's Macbeth at the St James Theatre in Wellington.  While this is Bryony's first time performing in a professional choir, she is looking forward to the experiences that it will present to her, stating 'It's given me a lot of inspiration and motivation'.

In March 2010 Bryony has been invited home by the Taranaki Committee of the Dame Malvina Major Foundation to perform on an international stage for a very special local event as part of the St Mary's Church Consecration.

While the main goal in the interim is to finish her tertiary education, for Bryony Williams the only way from here is up... so keep your eyes on the sky to see where this talented young performer will be heading next!