Deadline: 28-May-2026
The Arts Organisations and Groups Fund provides multi-year support to arts organisations and groups in Aotearoa New Zealand, enabling them to deliver structured artistic programmes and strengthen community engagement. Funding ranges from $50,000 to over $500,000 per year, depending on organisational scale, and supports both artistic and operational costs.
Program Overview
The Arts Organisations and Groups Fund is designed to assist organisations and groups with a clear long-term vision for the arts in Aotearoa New Zealand. It enables recipients to plan and implement sustained artistic initiatives over one, two, or three years, benefiting both artists and audiences while contributing positively to communities. The fund strengthens artistic activity, fosters engagement, and supports the overall development of the arts sector.
Funding Tiers and Amounts
Funding is allocated based on the organisation’s scale and financial capacity:
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Tier 1: Up to $50,000 per year
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Tier 2: Up to $125,000 per year
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Tier 3: Up to $500,000 per year
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Tier 4: Over $500,000 per year
Organisations applying for Tier 3 or Tier 4 funding must demonstrate an average annual turnover exceeding $250,000 over the past two years and have received Creative New Zealand funding within the last three years (excluding the Creative Communities Scheme). Funding generally contributes toward both artistic and operational costs and is capped at approximately 70% of average annual turnover. Final funding may be lower than requested.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include New Zealand-based arts organisations and groups, and international organisations with projects directly benefiting New Zealand arts and artists. Applicants must meet the following conditions:
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Individual artists and practitioners are not eligible
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Territorial authorities cannot apply
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Committees, affiliated entities, or sub-groups must apply through their head organisation or in partnership
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Organisations already receiving 2027 funding through this scheme in 2025 are ineligible
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Additional eligibility requirements apply to tertiary education organisations, council-controlled organisations, commercial/dealer galleries, museums, international organisations, and local subsidiaries of multinational arts organisations
Application Periods
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Tiers 1 and 2 (up to $125,000 per year): Open 2 March 2026, close 1:00 PM NZ time, 28 May 2026. Results notified mid-September 2026.
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Tiers 3 and 4 (over $125,000 per year): Expressions of interest open November 2025, close 13 March 2026. Applications open 9 February 2026, close 1:00 PM NZ time, 26 March 2026. Results notified late June to early July 2026.
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Proposed funding period must begin 1 January 2027.
How to Apply
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Determine eligibility based on organisation type, turnover, and prior funding history
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Select the appropriate funding tier based on scale and financial capacity
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Prepare a detailed proposal outlining artistic programme, objectives, and expected community impact
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Include both artistic and operational budgets, aligned with requested funding limits
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Submit the application within the designated timeline for your tier
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For Tiers 3 and 4, submit expressions of interest before the application stage
Why This Fund Matters
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Supports multi-year artistic initiatives with measurable community impact
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Enables organisations to strengthen artistic activity and engagement
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Provides resources for both artistic programming and operational sustainability
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Encourages long-term planning and sector development across New Zealand arts
FAQs
1. Who can apply for the Arts Organisations and Groups Fund? New Zealand-based arts organisations and groups, and international organisations with projects benefiting New Zealand arts and artists.
2. Are individual artists eligible? No, individual artists and practitioners cannot apply.
3. How much funding is available? Between $50,000 and over $500,000 per year, depending on the tier.
4. What costs are covered? Both artistic programme and operational costs, up to 70% of average annual turnover.
5. Can organisations already funded for 2027 apply? No, organisations funded in 2025 for 2027 activity are ineligible.
6. When does the funding period start? Proposed funding must begin 1 January 2027.
7. Are there additional eligibility conditions for specific organisations? Yes, conditions apply to tertiary education organisations, council-controlled organisations, commercial galleries, museums, international organisations, and subsidiaries of multinational arts organisations.
Conclusion
The Arts Organisations and Groups Fund 2026 provides critical multi-year support for arts organisations and groups in Aotearoa New Zealand. By enabling structured artistic programmes, strengthening community engagement, and supporting operational sustainability, the fund ensures long-term impact and development of the national arts sector.
For more information, visit Creative New Zealand.