CFAs: Creative Communities Scheme (New Zealand)

The Creative Communities Scheme Far North District provides funding for individuals and groups to deliver local arts and cultural projects in the Far North District of New Zealand. The scheme supports projects that increase participation in the arts, celebrate local cultural diversity, or enable young people under 18 to take part in creative activities, with most successful applications receiving $2,000 or less.

What Is the Creative Communities Scheme?

The Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) is administered in the Far North District by Far North District Council, with funding provided by Creative New Zealand.

The scheme supports community-based arts and cultural activities that encourage creative expression, participation, cultural diversity, and stronger community connections.

Funding is intended for short-term projects that can be completed within 12 months of funding approval.

What Are the Main Objectives?

A proposed project must meet at least one of three funding criteria:

• Encourage people to participate in local arts activities.
• Support and celebrate the diverse artistic and cultural traditions of local communities.
• Enable young people under 18 to participate in the arts.

Projects should demonstrate a clear community benefit and a meaningful connection to arts or cultural activity.

What Types of Arts Projects Are Supported?

The scheme supports a broad range of artistic disciplines, including:

• Visual arts.
• Performing arts.
• Literature.
• Film.
• Māori arts.
• Pacific arts.
• Combined and interdisciplinary arts projects.

Projects can bring together different art forms where this contributes to the intended community outcomes.

What Can Funding Pay For?

Grant funding can contribute to eligible project expenses such as:

• Art and project materials.
• Venue hire.
• Equipment hire.
• Personnel costs for short-term projects.
• Administrative costs directly associated with the project.
• Promotion and publicity of arts activities.

The requested budget should relate directly to delivering the proposed arts or cultural activity.

How Much Funding Is Available?

Most successful applications receive $2,000 or less.

The Far North District receives an annual allocation from Creative New Zealand. For example, the district received $57,862 in 2025.

The amount awarded depends on the quality and eligibility of applications and the funding available in the relevant round.

Applications requesting $3,000 or more have an additional requirement: applicants must attend the relevant committee meeting either in person or online to answer questions about their proposal.

Who Is Eligible?

The scheme is open to:

• Individuals based in the Far North District.
• Groups based in the Far North District.

The proposed project must also:

• Take place within the Far North District.
• Be completed within 12 months of funding approval.
• Meet at least one of the scheme’s three funding criteria.
• Have a clear arts or cultural focus.

What Projects Are Not Eligible?

The scheme does not normally fund:

• Projects that have already started.
• Fundraising activities.
• Capital purchases.
• Ongoing administration.
• Projects primarily focused on non-arts outcomes.

Applicants should ensure that the proposal is clearly an arts or cultural project, rather than an activity where arts are only incidental to another objective.

Why It Matters

Community arts funding can create opportunities for residents to participate in creative activities while strengthening cultural identity and social connections.

The scheme helps:

• Increase local participation in the arts.
• Celebrate Māori, Pacific, and other cultural traditions.
• Create opportunities for young people.
• Encourage creative expression.
• Support local artists and community groups.
• Build stronger community connections.
• Increase access to diverse artistic experiences.

How to Apply

Step 1: Develop Your Project

Define the arts or cultural activity you want to deliver and identify the community you intend to engage.

Step 2: Check the Three Criteria

Confirm that your project meets at least one of the following:

1. Increases participation in local arts.
2. Supports local artistic and cultural diversity.
3. Enables people under 18 to participate in the arts.

Step 3: Prepare Your Budget

Identify eligible expenses such as materials, venue hire, equipment hire, personnel, administration, and promotion.

Keep the budget realistic and directly connected to the project.

Step 4: Prepare Supporting Information

Provide all information and supporting documents requested in the application.

Explain the project’s objectives, participants, activities, expected outcomes, timeline, and budget.

Step 5: Submit Online

Applications must be submitted online through the relevant Far North District Council application process.

Make sure the application is complete before the applicable deadline.

Step 6: Attend the Committee Meeting if Required

If requesting $3,000 or more, be prepared to attend the committee meeting in person or online and answer questions about the project.

Application Deadlines

The Creative Communities Scheme operates four funding rounds each year.

The upcoming deadlines stated in the program information are:

• 4 August 2026
• 3 November 2026

Applicants should verify the current round dates and submission requirements before applying.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should:

• Clearly identify which of the three CCS criteria the project meets.
• Explain the project’s arts or cultural value.
• Demonstrate how local residents will participate or benefit.
• Provide a realistic and well-supported budget.
• Explain how the project will be completed within 12 months.
• Highlight opportunities for young people or diverse communities where relevant.
• Submit all required supporting information.
• Apply before the relevant monthly or round deadline.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid:

• Starting the project before funding approval.
• Applying for a primarily non-arts project.
• Using the grant primarily for fundraising.
• Requesting funding for capital purchases.
• Including ongoing administrative expenses unrelated to the project.
• Failing to demonstrate community participation.
• Forgetting the requirement to attend a committee meeting for requests of $3,000 or more.
• Submitting an incomplete online application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who administers the Creative Communities Scheme in the Far North District?

The scheme is administered by Far North District Council, with funding provided by Creative New Zealand.

Who can apply?

Individuals and groups based in the Far North District can apply for eligible local arts and cultural projects.

How much funding can I request?

Most successful applications are for $2,000 or less. Applications requesting $3,000 or more require the applicant to attend the committee meeting to answer questions.

What types of activities can be funded?

Eligible activities can include visual arts, performing arts, literature, film, Māori and Pacific arts, and interdisciplinary projects.

Can the grant fund materials and venue hire?

Yes. Eligible costs can include materials, venue hire, equipment hire, personnel and administrative costs for short-term projects, and promotion or publicity.

Can a project that has already started receive funding?

No. Projects that have already started are not eligible for funding.

Where must the project take place?

The project must take place within the Far North District and be completed within 12 months of funding approval.

Conclusion

The Creative Communities Scheme Far North District provides an accessible funding opportunity for local individuals and groups developing arts and cultural activities. By supporting projects that increase arts participation, celebrate cultural diversity, and engage young people under 18, the scheme helps strengthen the Far North’s creative sector and community connections.