Horowhenua District Council announces Creative Communities Fund (New Zealand)

The Creative Communities Fund (CCS) provides financial support for local arts projects that increase community participation, celebrate cultural diversity, and encourage creative activities across the Horowhenua District in New Zealand. The fund supports individuals and groups delivering eligible arts activities such as workshops, exhibitions, performances, public artworks, artist development projects, and youth-focused creative programmes.

About the Creative Communities Fund

The Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) supports community-based arts activities by providing funding through local councils across New Zealand.

In the Horowhenua region, funding is provided through the Horowhenua District Council to help individuals, groups, and community organisations deliver creative projects that increase access to the arts.

The programme aims to:

• Increase participation in local arts activities
• Support diverse artistic expression
• Encourage community creativity
• Provide opportunities for young people to engage in arts
• Strengthen cultural identity and inclusion

Purpose of the Creative Communities Fund

The fund supports projects that create meaningful opportunities for people to experience, participate in, and develop skills through arts and creative activities.

Priority is given to projects that:

• Increase participation in local arts
• Support Māori, Pasifika, migrant, and diverse communities
• Encourage youth involvement in creative activities
• Improve access to arts opportunities
• Develop local artists and creative practitioners

Supported Arts Activities

The Creative Communities Fund supports a wide range of community arts projects.

Eligible activities may include:

• Community performances
• Arts workshops
• Public exhibitions
• Community filmmaking projects
• Festivals and cultural events
• Public artworks and murals
• Marae-based arts development
• Artist residencies
• Artist professional development activities
• Creative projects supporting inclusion and participation

Projects Supporting Cultural Diversity and Inclusion

The fund encourages projects that involve communities experiencing barriers to participation.

Supported projects may include activities involving:

• Māori communities
• Pasifika communities
• Migrant communities
• People with disabilities
• People experiencing mental health challenges
• Youth under 18 years of age

Examples of youth-focused projects include:

• Street art programmes
• Mural projects
• Filmmaking workshops
• Creative writing activities
• Music workshops
• Visual arts exhibitions

Funding Amount and Grant Details

Most Creative Communities Fund grants awarded through local councils are:

• Usually under NZD $2,000

The funding amount depends on:

• Project quality
• Community benefit
• Available funding
• Number of applications received

Applicants should request only the amount required to successfully deliver the proposed arts project.

Who Is Eligible?

The fund is open to:

• Individuals
• Community groups
• Arts organisations
• Creative collectives

Individual Applicant Requirements

Individuals must:

• Be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents
• Deliver an eligible arts project within the Horowhenua District

Group Applicant Requirements

Groups must:

• Be based in New Zealand
• Deliver a community-focused arts project
• Demonstrate clear community participation outcomes

Project Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Creative Communities Fund support, projects must:

• Take place within the district where the application is submitted
• Have a clear arts focus
• Be completed within 12 months of funding approval
• Not begin before funding approval is received

Projects that have already started or finished before approval are not eligible.

Previously Funded Applicants

Applicants who have previously received CCS funding must:

• Complete the required project report before submitting a new application

An exception applies when:

• The previous project is still underway and reporting requirements have not yet become due

Why This Funding Matters

Community arts projects play an important role in strengthening local connections and cultural expression.

The Creative Communities Fund helps communities:

• Access creative opportunities
• Preserve cultural traditions
• Develop local artistic talent
• Build stronger social connections
• Provide inclusive spaces for participation

The fund also supports emerging artists and encourages communities to use creativity as a tool for engagement and wellbeing.

Examples of Eligible Creative Projects

Examples of projects that may receive funding include:

• A community mural project
• A local theatre performance
• A cultural festival
• A Māori arts workshop
• A youth filmmaking programme
• A community photography exhibition
• An artist-led creative residency
• A writing or music development workshop

Projects Not Eligible for Funding

The Creative Communities Fund does not support projects without a clear arts focus.

Examples of ineligible activities include:

• Puzzles
• Upholstery
• Magic activities
• Model-making
• Commercial design projects
• Commercial fashion design
• Fitness-based dance activities
• Martial arts activities

Other Excluded Project Types

Funding cannot support:

• Activities normally funded through school or institutional budgets
• Projects primarily focused on health, heritage, or environmental outcomes
• Local council projects
• Fundraising activities
• Facility construction, development, or restoration projects

Marae-Based Arts Projects

The scheme may support new artistic works connected to marae projects.

Eligible examples may include:

• Tukutuku
• Whakairo
• Whāriki
• Kōwhaiwhai

Funding must support the artistic creation process rather than general facility development.

Costs the Fund Can Support

Eligible costs depend on the project and may include expenses directly connected to delivering community arts activities.

Examples may include:

• Materials required for creative activities
• Workshop-related expenses
• Artist costs directly connected to the project
• Event delivery expenses

Applicants should ensure all costs are clearly linked to the proposed arts project.

Costs the Fund Does Not Support

The fund does not cover:

Operational and Administration Costs

Examples include:

• General administration expenses
• Ongoing staff costs unrelated to the project
• Organisational running costs

Completed or Existing Projects

Funding cannot support:

• Projects already started
• Projects already completed before approval

Travel and External Events

The fund does not cover:

• Travel to attend performances elsewhere
• Travel to exhibitions outside the district

Equipment Purchases

Funding cannot be used to purchase equipment such as:

• Computers
• Cameras
• Musical instruments
• Costumes
• Lighting equipment
• Uniforms

Other Ineligible Expenses

The scheme does not support:

• Competition entry fees
• Prize money
• Judges’ fees
• Royalties
• Purchasing artworks for collections
• Fundraising expenses
• Debt repayment
• Interest payments

How to Apply for the Creative Communities Fund

Step 1: Develop an Arts Project Idea

Applicants should create a project that clearly explains:

• The creative activity
• Target participants
• Community benefits
• Expected outcomes

Step 2: Check Eligibility

Before applying, confirm that:

• The project is arts-focused
• The activity will occur in Horowhenua District
• The project will finish within 12 months
• Costs are eligible

Step 3: Prepare Supporting Information

Applicants should provide:

• Project description
• Budget details
• Timeline
• Community participation information
• Details of artistic activities

Step 4: Submit the Application

Applications should be submitted through the relevant local council process managed by Horowhenua District Council.

Step 5: Complete Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants must:

• Deliver the approved project
• Provide required reporting
• Explain project outcomes and use of funding

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying for projects without a clear arts component
• Starting activities before funding approval
• Requesting funding for excluded expenses
• Submitting incomplete budgets
• Applying for projects mainly focused on fundraising
• Forgetting previous grant reporting requirements

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their chances by:

• Clearly explaining community benefits
• Showing how people will participate in the project
• Highlighting cultural inclusion
• Providing a realistic budget
• Explaining how the project supports local creativity
• Demonstrating accessibility for diverse communities

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Creative Communities Fund?

The Creative Communities Fund is a New Zealand community arts grant programme that supports local creative projects, participation, and cultural expression.

Who can apply for the Horowhenua Creative Communities Fund?

Individuals, community groups, and organisations delivering eligible arts projects in Horowhenua District can apply.

How much funding can applicants receive?

Most CCS grants are under NZD $2,000, although funding decisions depend on project needs and available resources.

Can projects already started receive funding?

No. Projects must not begin before CCS funding approval.

What types of arts projects are supported?

Supported projects include performances, workshops, exhibitions, public artworks, festivals, community films, marae-based arts activities, and artist development projects.

Can funding be used to buy equipment?

No. The fund does not support purchasing equipment such as cameras, computers, musical instruments, costumes, or lighting equipment.

Do previous CCS recipients need to complete reporting before applying again?

Yes. Previous applicants must complete required project reports before submitting a new application unless their earlier project is still in progress.

Conclusion

The Creative Communities Fund provides important support for community-driven arts projects across Horowhenua District. By funding inclusive creative activities, cultural programmes, youth engagement initiatives, and artist development opportunities, the scheme helps communities strengthen participation, celebrate diversity, and build a vibrant local arts environment.