Call for Submissions: Creative Communities Fund (New Zealand)

Deadline: 05-Mar-2026

The Waikato District Council Creative Communities Fund provides small grants to support local arts projects that celebrate cultural diversity, Toi Māori, and community participation across the Waikato district. The fund prioritises access to the arts, youth engagement, and locally rooted creative activities delivered within 12 months.

Waikato District Council Creative Communities Fund Overview

The Creative Communities Fund is a local arts funding scheme delivered by the Waikato District Council to support creative projects that reflect the district’s unique identity, cultural traditions, and diverse communities. The fund aligns with Creative New Zealand’s Creative Communities Scheme and focuses on participation, inclusion, and local impact.

Purpose and Funding Priorities

The fund is designed to strengthen community connection through the arts by supporting projects that increase participation and celebrate cultural expression. Priority areas include access to local arts activities, recognition of diverse cultural traditions, and creative opportunities for young people.

Key priorities include:

• Increasing community access to and participation in the arts

• Supporting Māori arts and Toi Māori

• Celebrating Pasifika, migrant, and other cultural traditions

• Enabling creative expression for young people under 18

• Supporting participation by people with lived experience of disability or mental illness

Types of Arts Projects Supported

Funding is available for a wide range of community-based arts activities, including:

• Performances and live events

• Creative workshops and classes

• Exhibitions and showcases

• Festivals and community celebrations

• Artist residencies

• Seminars and creative talks

• Creation of community artworks
  Projects must take place within the Waikato district and deliver clear opportunities for local community participation.

Eligible Project Costs

Applicants may request funding for reasonable, project-related expenses, including:

• Art materials and consumables

• Venue, studio, or equipment hire

• Short-term personnel or artist fees

• Administrative or coordination costs

• Promotion, marketing, and publicity
  There is no formal maximum grant amount, but most grants awarded are under NZD 2,000. Applicants are encouraged to review previously funded projects in their council area to understand typical funding levels.

Project Timing and Conditions

All funded projects must meet the following conditions:

• Take place within the Waikato district

• Be completed within 12 months of funding approval

• Not have started or finished before funding is granted

• Not have received funding from other Creative New Zealand programmes

Who Is Eligible to Apply

Applications are open to individuals and groups, provided that:

• Individual applicants are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents

• Groups or organisations are locally based or delivering projects in the district

• Applicants with previous funding have submitted a completion report, unless the earlier project is still ongoing
  Both first-time and returning applicants are welcome, subject to meeting all eligibility requirements.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

The fund does not support:

• Projects that have already started or are ongoing operational activities

• Travel to events outside the local area

• Food, catering, or refreshments

• Competition-related costs or entry fees

• Royalties, debt repayment, or fundraising activities

• Purchase of fixed assets or permanent equipment

• Facility construction or development

• Council-led projects

• Projects without a clear arts focus or primarily serving sectors such as education, health, heritage, or the environment

Why This Fund Matters

The Creative Communities Fund plays a vital role in strengthening local identity, cultural participation, and social connection. By supporting small, locally driven arts projects, the fund enables communities to tell their own stories, nurture emerging talent, and ensure the arts remain accessible to all residents.

How the Application Process Works

Applications are assessed through local funding rounds held up to four times per year. The process follows these steps:

1. Applicants complete all sections of the official application form

2. Project details, art form, activity type, and funding criteria are clearly identified

3. Applications are submitted before the relevant funding round deadline

4. Assessment committees with local arts and community expertise review applications

5. Funding decisions are made based on eligibility, alignment with priorities, and community benefit
   Only complete applications are considered for assessment.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly explain the artistic focus and community benefit of the project

• Show how the project supports participation rather than passive attendance

• Demonstrate cultural relevance or youth engagement where applicable

• Provide a realistic and transparent budget

• Align the project outcomes with the fund’s stated priorities

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying for projects that have already started

• Requesting funding for ineligible costs such as food or travel

• Submitting incomplete application forms

• Proposing projects without a clear arts-led purpose

• Overestimating budgets without justification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical grant size?
Most grants awarded are under NZD 2,000, although there is no formal maximum limit.

Can individuals apply for funding?
Yes. Individuals may apply if they are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.

Can young people be the main participants?
Yes. Projects that engage people under 18 are a key funding priority.

Are Māori and culturally diverse projects supported?
Yes. The fund strongly supports Toi Māori and arts rooted in diverse cultural traditions.

Can I apply if I received funding before?
Yes, provided you have submitted a completion report for any previous funded project.

How often are funding rounds held?
Local funding rounds may be held up to four times per year.

Conclusion

The Waikato District Council Creative Communities Fund provides accessible, locally focused support for arts projects that strengthen cultural expression and community participation. By prioritising diversity, youth engagement, and grassroots creativity, the fund helps ensure the arts continue to thrive across the Waikato district.

For more information, visit Waikato District Council.