Art Union Prizes May Be Increased To £25,000

Press, Volume C, Issue 29498, 27 April 1961, Page 14

Art Union Prizes May Be Increased To £25,000

(From Our Oct Reporter?

WELLINGTON, April 26. Approval for an art union in which the prizes will total £25,000 and the tickets will cost 5/« is expected to be given by the Cabinet within the next few days. Art union prizes at present total £lO,OOO and tickets cost 2/6. ■ - '

The offset of doubling the ticket pries would be to tocreate revenue, but the attraction of higher prize money eouiu constaanuty increase sales. Consequently the surplus available for distrltnitton be doubled. Last financial year tha art union provided nearly C2OOXNXI to assist many causes and projects. Since 1832, £3 millton has bean granted in thia way and the surplus nap increased steadily as ticket sales have risen. A wide range of organisations receive assistance from art union funds, including cultural bodies, organisations for old people’s welfare.

bands, churches, ambulance groups, amputees, and deaf and blind people. The construction of swimming baths and community centres and the maintenance of search and rescue organisations and Mayoral and other relief funds are assisted. Besides helping sporting bodies which do not receive much income from admission charges, are union funds help community projects which benefit everyone. Since 1952. 150 grants have been made to help finance public halls. These community assets are not built from art union funds, but the assistance granted can

■ make all the difference be* ’ tween the success and failure of a scheme to provide i a district social and recreai tional centre. i Art union funds also help i finance the operations of i youth organisations and since 1953, 95 grants have ! been made to sueh groups. Mayoral relief funds receive assistance from art i union funds so that help i may be given where it is urgently needed.