Deadline: 22-Aug-2025
Applications are now open for the Creative Communities Scheme, which offers funding to support local creative projects across New Zealand. Individuals or groups can apply, but individuals must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
You can request up to $6,000 per funding round. While your total project budget can exceed $6,000, Creative Communities will only contribute a maximum of $6,000. The scheme is intended to help with a variety of arts-related costs, including materials, venue or equipment hire, short-term personnel and admin costs, and promotion or publicity.
However, some costs are not eligible. These include ongoing admin or staffing costs unrelated to the project, expenses for already-started or completed projects, travel to attend events, purchasing equipment, competition entry fees, prize money, royalties, debt repayment, or acquiring art for collections.
The scheme supports a wide range of art forms such as craft and object arts, dance, inter-arts, literature, Māori arts, multi-arts (including film), music, Pacific arts, theatre, and visual arts. Projects focused solely on fundraising, facility development, local council activities, or non-arts-focused initiatives with minor arts components are not eligible. Likewise, school arts projects typically covered by their operational funding are excluded.
To be considered, applications must clearly demonstrate how the project meets both Creative New Zealand’s national criteria and local funding priorities. Detailed and accurate quotes for all goods and services must be included, and applicants are urged to stay within the word limit to ensure assessors can quickly grasp the project’s key points.
Additionally, all potential income sources, such as box office revenue or sponsorships, must be disclosed. You may include extra details in attachments, but keep the most important information within the main application.
For more information, visit Christchurch City Council.