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Creative Communities Fund: Supporting Arts in the Mackenzie District (New Zealand)

Deadline: 11-Feb-2026

The Mackenzie District Council Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) is a partnership with Creative New Zealand providing grants for local arts and cultural activities. The second 2025/2026 funding round is open from January 1 to February 11, 2026, for projects focusing on participation, diversity, or youth in the arts. Eligible projects must be completed within 12 months and demonstrate a direct benefit to the Mackenzie District community.

The Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) serves as a vital financial catalyst for local art initiatives. By decentralizing funding decisions to local assessment committees, the scheme ensures that supported projects align with the unique cultural fabric of the Mackenzie District.

Why It Matters: Cultivating Local Culture

This scheme is designed to lower barriers to creative expression and ensure that the arts are accessible to all residents.

  • Community Engagement: Encourages diverse groups to participate in creative activities, from youth to older people.

  • Cultural Preservation: Supports toi Māori and other traditional heritage arts.

  • Placemaking: Initiatives like “bus stop beautification” transform public spaces into cultural landmarks.

  • Artistic Growth: Provides the necessary capital for workshops and digital storytelling that build local technical skills.

Key Funding Criteria

To be successful, a project must meet at least one of the following three core criteria:

  1. Access and Participation: Creating opportunities for local communities to engage with or participate in arts activities.

  2. Diversity: Supporting the unique cultural traditions of local communities and the diversity of the arts.

  3. Young People: Enabling those under the age of 18 to participate in and create their own arts.

Who is Eligible?

The scheme is open to a wide range of creative practitioners and community organizers.

Eligible Applicants:

  • Individuals: Must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.

  • Groups: Includes community organizations, non-profits, and informal creative collectives.

  • Previous Recipients: Only eligible if all previous project reports (accountability forms) have been submitted and approved.

Geographic and Timing Requirements:

  • Projects must take place within the Mackenzie District or provide a direct, measurable benefit to its residents.

  • Projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving funding approval.

Eligible vs. Ineligible Costs

The CCS provides flexible funding for project-specific needs but excludes general business maintenance.

What Can Be Funded:

  • Materials for workshops or exhibitions.

  • Promotion and marketing expenses for arts events.

  • Short-term personnel costs (e.g., artist fees for a specific project).

  • Venue hire for concerts, festivals, or theatrical productions.

What Cannot Be Funded:

  • Retrospective Costs: Activities that started before funding was approved.

  • Capital Purchases: Buying equipment (e.g., computers, cameras) or facility development/renovation.

  • Operational Costs: Ongoing rent, utilities, or permanent staff salaries.

  • Education: Activities that are part of a school’s core curriculum or responsibility.

  • Travel: Costs to attend arts events elsewhere.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

  1. Define Your Creative Focus: Ensure your project fits the broad definition of “theatre, music, visual arts, digital storytelling, or Māori design.

  2. Verify Criterion Alignment: Confirm your project meets at least one of the three core criteria (Participation, Diversity, or Young People).

  3. Prepare the Budget: Focus on materials, promotion, and project-specific fees. Exclude capital items.

  4. Complete the Form: Download the application via the Mackenzie District Council website.

  5. Submit Before Deadline: Applications close at 5:00pm on Wednesday, 11 February 2026.

  6. Attend Decision Meeting (Optional): Decisions are made in a public meeting at the Fairlie Council Chambers on March 4, 2026.

Tips for a Successful Application

  • Be Specific on Community Benefit: Explain exactly how Mackenzie residents will participate or see the result.

  • Collaborate: Partnerships between artists and local schools or community centers are viewed favorably.

  • Report Back: If you have had funding before, double-check that your accountability report is in, or your new application will be automatically disqualified.

  • Focus on “New”: While recurring events are allowed, projects that show innovation or reach new audiences often score higher.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. When is the deadline for the current round? Applications close on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, at 5:00pm.

2. Can I apply for a project that has already started? No. The scheme does not fund retrospective costs. Your project must start after the funding decision date (March 4, 2026).

3. What is the maximum duration for a funded project? Projects must be completed within 12 months of approval.

4. Can I buy a new camera or laptop with this grant? No. Capital purchases and equipment are ineligible. You may, however, be able to fund the hire of equipment for a specific project.

5. Is “Toi Māori” covered under this scheme? Yes. Toi Māori and Māori design are specifically encouraged as part of the cultural diversity focus area.

6. Can a school apply for this grant? Schools generally cannot apply for activities that are part of their core educational responsibilities. However, community-led arts projects taking place at a school may be eligible if they involve the wider public.

7. Who makes the final funding decisions? Decisions are made by a local assessment committee composed of individuals with significant arts and cultural expertise within the Mackenzie District.

Conclusion

The Mackenzie District Council Creative Communities Scheme is an essential resource for fostering local talent and cultural vitality. By supporting a diverse range of activities—from digital storytelling to Matariki celebrations—the council ensures that the Mackenzie District remains a vibrant place to live and create. Success in this program requires a clear project plan, a focus on local community benefit, and a commitment to completing the project within the one-year timeframe.

For more information, visit Mackenzie District Council.