Creative Communities Scheme - New Zealand Arts Funding
New Zealand arts funding up to $2,000 for local community projects, workshops, exhibitions, and festivals with focus on access and diversity.
The Creative Communities Scheme provides funding support for local arts activities that foster community engagement and participation across New Zealand. The program focuses on three key areas: Access and Participation, encouraging community involvement in performances, workshops, exhibitions, festivals, community films, public artworks, marae-based projects, and artist residencies; Diversity, supporting cultural traditions of Māori, Pasifika, migrant communities, and groups with lived experiences of disability or mental illness; and Young People, enabling those under 18 to participate in creative projects including murals, films, published writing, music workshops, and visual art exhibitions. While there's no strict funding limit, most grants are under $2,000. Both individuals and groups can apply, with individuals required to be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. Eligible costs include materials, venue or equipment hire, personnel and administrative costs for short-term projects, and promotion expenses. Projects must take place within the applicant's city or district, be completed within 12 months, and cannot have started before funding approval. Excluded are projects without arts focus, core educational activities, council initiatives, fundraising activities, and facility development. Applications are assessed by local committees with arts and community engagement expertise, with funding rounds held up to four times annually in each area.