Got a great idea for a film but not enough cash to make it happen? Crowdfunding for arts projects is coming to New Zealand via Boosted, a website where people can pledge donations toward an artist with a vision in need of some extra bucks. 

Musicians, artists, filmmakers, dancers, writers, designers, theatres, and philanthropic organizations will be invited to use this grassroots form of fundraising by submitting projects to the Arts Foundation. If approved, a profile will be created on the website with a promotional video and a fundraising goal. Donations will be tax-deductable and made to the Arts Foundation, which passes them on to the artist minus an administration fee. 

The crowdfunding concept isn’t new, but it’s making huge financial leaps. In 2010, US-based Kickstarter raised $27.6 million, which grew to $99 million in 2011, with donors giving mostly small sums to more than 27,000 projects. Arts Foundation predicts Boosted will raise $2 million annually. 

The Arts Foundation will make the site live in September 2012, and they’re asking interested artists, administrators, producers, and communities to register at www.boosted.org.nz  in order to learn more about how to prepare for the big launch.