Deadline: 06-Oct-2025
The Waitaki District Council is requesting applications for its Creative Communities Scheme to provide funding for local arts projects.
To be eligible for funding through the Creative Communities Scheme (CCS), your arts project must support at least one of three key criteria. The first criterion, Access and participation, is for projects that create opportunities for local communities to engage with and take part in local arts activities. Examples of such projects include performances by community choirs, workshops on writing or dancing, and festivals featuring local artists. The second criterion, Diversity, is for projects that support the diverse artistic and cultural traditions of local communities. This can include workshops, performances, or exhibitions by Māori or Pasifika heritage art forms, or by local migrant communities. The third criterion is to enable Young people (under 18 years) to engage with and participate in the arts. Examples include a group of young people working with an artist to create a mural or street art, or participating in music workshops. In addition to meeting one of these criteria, your project must take place within the city or district where the application is made, be completed within 12 months of funding approval, and not have started or finished before the CCS funding is approved.
The Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) provides funding for specific types of project costs. You can apply for support for materials for arts activities or programs, venue or equipment hire, and personnel and administrative costs for short-term projects. Support is also available for the promotion and publicity of arts activities. However, the CCS does not fund ongoing administration or personnel costs not related to a specific project. It also does not cover costs for projects that have already started or are completed. You cannot get funding for travel costs to attend performances or exhibitions in other areas, or for buying equipment such as computers, cameras, musical instruments, costumes, or uniforms. Ineligible costs also include entry fees for competitions, prize money, awards, judges’ fees, and royalties. The scheme also does not fund the purchase of artworks for collections, the costs of running a fundraising activity, or debt or interest on debt.
Individuals or groups can apply for CCS funding. To be eligible, your arts project must take place within the city or district where the application is made, be completed within 12 months of approval, and not have started or finished before the funding is approved. Individuals must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. If you have already received funding for a project, you must complete a report on it before applying again, unless the project is still in progress. You cannot apply for projects without an arts focus, projects that are the core business of educational institutions, projects that mainly deliver outcomes for other sectors like health or heritage, local council projects, or fundraising activities.
You can apply for support for materials, venue or equipment hire, personnel and administrative costs for short-term projects, and promotion and publicity. CCS does not fund ongoing administration or personnel costs, costs for projects already started or completed, travel costs to attend events in other areas, or the purchase of equipment. There is no limit to how much you can apply for, but most grants are under $2,000. Your application will be reviewed by an assessment committee with knowledge of the arts and local communities.
For more information, visit Waitaki District Council.
