Nine local community groups are set to benefit from almost $21,000 of funding for their upcoming projects and events, after being awarded funds from the second round of the 2019/20 Creative Communities Scheme grant.

The Ashburton District Council has awarded $20,880 to the groups, courtesy of Creative New Zealand's Creative Communities Scheme.

The successful recipients are Ashburton Civic Music Council, Ashburton Creative Fibre, Ashburton Indian Multicultural Charitable Trust, Ashburton Musical Club, Ashburton Writers' Group, Bike Methven/Hannah Kidd, CanInspire Trust, Hakatere Ceramics & Pottery Ashburton, and The Big Little Theatre Company.

Chair of the Creative Communities Ashburton District Assessment Committee, Sarah Davidson says the funding will help support the local arts.

"The grant is specially designed to promote, support and engage local arts projects all around New Zealand. We are very pleased to put this funding behind so many diverse projects for the benefit of our community."

Projects the grant will support include the Festival of Lights, music concerts, free Canbead workshops for people experiencing illness, trauma or loss, community group exhibitions at the Ashburton Art Gallery, a design competition for a new Mt Hutt Bike Park sign, and a travelling theatre show around the district's halls and community venues.

Creative New Zealand provides funding to local councils around the country to distribute in their community, and Ashburton District Mayor Neil Brown said that the Council is delighted to allocate the funds to enhance the district.

"It is a real pleasure to be a part of this process. Creative Communities adds real value to our collective wellbeing and helps to make the Ashburton District an even greater place to be where artistic and creative endeavours can thrive."

The next round of Creative Communities Scheme funding will open in August 2020. Information on the grant is available on the Council website.

The Creative Communities Ashburton District Assessment Committee will have a number of seats up for renewal soon. A further announcement about this will be made at a later date for anyone that is interested in being on the committee.​