Call for Applications: International Arts Impact Fund (New Zealand)

The International Arts Impact Fund supports established New Zealand artists, arts practitioners, organisations, and groups seeking to build international recognition and achieve long-term global impact. Applicants can request up to NZ$75,000 per year for one, two, or three years to support activities such as new work, international touring, presentations, professional development, and market development.

What Is the International Arts Impact Fund?

The International Arts Impact Fund is a Creative New Zealand funding opportunity designed to strengthen the international presence of New Zealand’s arts sector.

The fund focuses on established artists and arts organisations that already have international experience and can demonstrate demand for their work overseas.

Funding is intended to help applicants pursue strategic international opportunities rather than short-term or isolated activities.

Why It Matters

International engagement can help New Zealand artists and arts organisations:

• Expand international audiences and markets.
• Build long-term relationships with overseas partners.
• Present New Zealand creative work internationally.
• Develop new artistic and creative projects.
• Strengthen professional and creative practice.
• Increase international recognition and visibility.
• Develop sustainable international career opportunities.
• Participate in international touring and presentations.

The program also encourages successful applicants to work with Creative New Zealand and its international partners to maximize promotional and networking opportunities.

Funding Available

Applicants can request:

• Up to NZ$75,000 per year
• Funding for 1, 2, or 3 calendar years
• Funding period begins 1 January 2027
• Maximum potential request over three years: NZ$225,000

However, the requested amount is not guaranteed. Creative New Zealand may approve a lower amount or a shorter funding period.

Funding for subsequent years is conditional on satisfactory reporting and progress.

What Can the Funding Support?

The International Arts Impact Fund can support activities that contribute to an applicant’s international artistic or professional development.

Eligible activities may include:

• Creation of new artistic work.
• International presentations.
• International touring.
• Professional development.
• Creative development.
• International market development.
• International partnerships and engagement.
• Activities that strengthen international visibility and demand.

Projects should demonstrate how the proposed activity contributes to a broader and credible international strategy.

Who Is Eligible?

The fund is intended for established New Zealand artists, practitioners, arts organisations, and groups.

Individual Artists and Practitioners

Applicants must:

• Be established artists or arts practitioners.
• Be New Zealand citizens or Permanent Residents.
• Demonstrate previous international experience.
• Provide evidence of international demand for their work.
• Have a current international strategy.

Artists and practitioners may apply individually or as a group of collaborators.

Arts Organisations and Groups

New Zealand-based arts organisations and groups may also apply if they can demonstrate:

• Established artistic practice.
• Previous international activity.
• Evidence of international demand.
• A clear international strategy.
• Capacity to deliver the proposed activities.

For the 2026 funding round, artists and practitioners will be prioritised.

Key Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should be able to demonstrate three important elements:

1. International experience – Evidence that the applicant has previously worked, presented, toured, or engaged internationally.
2. International demand – Evidence that overseas audiences, organisations, partners, markets, festivals, presenters, or other stakeholders have an interest in the applicant’s work.
3. International strategy – A current and realistic plan explaining how the proposed funding will contribute to long-term international goals.

Meeting these requirements is important because the fund is focused on international impact, not simply funding general arts activity.

How the International Arts Impact Fund Works

Applicants should approach the funding as a strategic international development opportunity.

Step 1: Define the International Goal

Clearly identify what you want to achieve internationally.

For example, your goal may involve:

• Entering a new international market.
• Developing an overseas partnership.
• Touring internationally.
• Presenting work at major international events.
• Building international audiences.
• Developing new work for international presentation.

Step 2: Develop the International Strategy

Explain how the proposed activities fit into your broader international career or organisational strategy.

The strategy should connect:

Current international position → proposed activity → international opportunity → expected long-term impact.

Step 3: Demonstrate International Demand

Provide evidence that there is genuine international interest in your work.

Useful evidence may include:

• Invitations from international presenters.
• International partnerships.
• Previous overseas performances or exhibitions.
• International sales or commissions.
• Festival or event opportunities.
• Overseas media or professional recognition.
• Letters of interest from international organisations.

Step 4: Prepare the Project and Budget

Set out the activities you want to undertake and the funding required.

Explain how the requested funding will contribute directly to international impact.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Applicants should provide the required information and supporting evidence through the relevant Creative New Zealand application process.

What Makes a Strong Application?

A competitive application should clearly demonstrate the relationship between the proposed activity and international impact.

Focus on:

• A clearly defined international ambition.
• Strong evidence of previous international experience.
• Demonstrable international demand.
• A realistic international strategy.
• Clearly defined activities and outcomes.
• A credible budget.
• Strong professional or artistic track record.
• Potential for sustainable international impact.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying without demonstrating previous international experience.
• Describing domestic activities without explaining their international relevance.
• Making unsupported claims about international demand.
• Providing an unclear or outdated international strategy.
• Requesting funding without explaining how it will generate international impact.
• Creating an unrealistic multi-year plan.
• Ignoring reporting requirements for subsequent funding years.

Important Funding Conditions

The fund can provide support for one, two, or three calendar years, but multi-year funding comes with conditions.

Successful applicants should understand that:

• The funding period starts 1 January 2027.
• Creative New Zealand may award less than the requested amount.
• The approved funding period may be shorter than requested.
• Funding for later years depends on satisfactory reporting.
• Applicants may be expected to collaborate with Creative New Zealand and its international partners at relevant international events.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the International Arts Impact Fund?

It is a Creative New Zealand funding program supporting established New Zealand artists, practitioners, arts organisations, and groups to achieve long-term international artistic and professional impact.

How much funding can applicants receive?

Applicants can request up to NZ$75,000 per year for one, two, or three calendar years.

What activities can the fund support?

Funding can support activities such as new work creation, professional and creative development, international market development, international presentations, and touring.

Who can apply?

Established New Zealand artists and practitioners who are citizens or Permanent Residents, as well as New Zealand-based arts organisations and groups, can apply if they meet the program requirements.

Is previous international experience required?

Yes. Applicants must demonstrate previous international experience, evidence of international demand, and a current international strategy.

Can artists apply as a group?

Yes. Artists and practitioners can apply individually or as a group of collaborators.

When does the funding period begin?

The 2027 funding period begins on 1 January 2027. Multi-year support is subject to satisfactory reporting and approval.

Conclusion

The International Arts Impact Fund provides significant multi-year support for established New Zealand artists and arts organisations pursuing international opportunities. With funding of up to NZ$75,000 annually, the program can help applicants create new work, tour internationally, develop markets, strengthen professional practice, and build sustainable global relationships.

For the 2026 round, artists and practitioners are prioritised, making this an important opportunity for established New Zealand creatives with a proven international track record, clear overseas demand, and a strong strategy for expanding their international impact.