Kaitiakitanga – Futures through Creativity Commission Program (New Zealand)

Deadline: 05-Jul-2026

Creative Waikato is seeking applications for its Creativity Commission Program to support artists connected to the Waikato region in creating original works on unity, environmental guardianship and climate-focused artistic expression. The programme will commission 20 artists, including 10 emerging artists receiving $1,000 each and 10 established artists receiving $2,000 each.

The commission focuses on Kotahitanga, kaitiakitanga, te taiao, and creative responses to climate change through connections to wai, whenua, and whānau. Selected works will be documented through photography and short video features and shared through an online Kotahitanga gallery and Creative Waikato platforms.

Programme Overview

The Creative Waikato Creativity Commission Program supports artists to create original work that explores unity, inclusion, environmental guardianship and climate change.

The programme is supported by Creative Waikato, Len Reynolds Trust and Trust Waikato.

It will commission artists from or affiliated with the Waikato region to produce creative works that respond to themes connected to people, place, environment and future possibilities.

Funding Available

The programme will support 20 artists in total.

Funding will be provided as follows:

• 10 emerging artists: $1,000 each
• 10 established artists: $2,000 each

The funding is intended to support the creation of original artistic work responding to the commission themes.

Main Objective

The main objective of the Creativity Commission Program is to support artists in creating accessible and shareable works that encourage reflection on unity, guardianship and climate change.

The programme aims to:

• Support Waikato-connected artists
• Encourage climate-focused artistic expression
• Promote Kotahitanga, inclusion and collective connection
• Highlight kaitiakitanga and care for the environment
• Explore relationships with te taiao, wai, whenua and whānau
• Support emerging and established artists
• Share creative work through digital platforms
• Increase environmental awareness through arts and culture

Key Themes

The commission focuses on several connected cultural, environmental and creative themes.

Key themes include:

• Kotahitanga
• Unity and inclusion
• Kaitiakitanga
• Guardianship of the environment
• Te taiao
• The natural world
• Human relationships with nature
• Wai
• Whenua
• Whānau
• Climate change
• Creative possibility
• Environmental responsibility
• Community connection

Explanation of Key Concepts

Kotahitanga

Kotahitanga refers to unity, togetherness and inclusion.

In this programme, artists are encouraged to explore how communities can come together through shared values, collective care and creative expression.

Kaitiakitanga

Kaitiakitanga refers to guardianship, stewardship and responsibility for the environment.

Artists may interpret this theme through works that explore care for land, water, ecosystems and future generations.

Te Taiao

Te taiao refers to the natural world and the relationship between people and the environment.

The programme invites artists to reflect on how humans live within, depend on and affect the natural world.

Wai, Whenua and Whānau

The themes of wai, whenua and whānau connect the commission to water, land and family or community relationships.

Artists may explore how these connections shape identity, belonging, responsibility and responses to climate change.

Creative Focus on Climate Change

The programme has a strong thematic focus on creative responses to climate change.

Artists are encouraged to explore how art can help communities understand, feel and respond to climate-related challenges.

Creative responses may focus on:

• Environmental care
• Climate resilience
• Community connection
• Ecological change
• Future possibilities
• Cultural relationships with land and water
• Local environmental responsibility
• Collective action and awareness

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants must be emerging or established artists connected to the Waikato region.

Applicants may be:

• Emerging artists
• Established artists
• Artists from the Waikato region
• Artists affiliated with the Waikato region
• Artists working in any accepted creative medium

Applicants aged 18 years or younger must have legal guardian consent to participate and enter into commissioning agreements.

Eligible Art Forms

All artistic mediums are accepted if the final work can be shared digitally.

Eligible mediums include:

• Visual arts
• Performance
• Audio
• Writing
• Mixed media
• Digital-friendly creative formats
• Interdisciplinary artistic work

The final output must be suitable for online sharing through Creative Waikato platforms.

Original Work Requirement

Applicants must submit original work only.

The submitted or proposed work must be created by the applicant and must not infringe on the rights of others.

Artists must respect consent, copyright and rights for any included material, people, stories, images, sounds or cultural content.

AI-Generated Work Restriction

Submissions must not include AI-generated creative work.

AI use is not permitted for this commission.

Artists should ensure that their creative work is personally produced and aligned with the programme’s originality requirements.

Content Requirements

Works must be suitable for public sharing and aligned with the values of the programme.

Submitted works must:

• Be original
• Be non-partisan
• Avoid discriminatory content
• Avoid harmful content
• Respect consent
• Respect copyright and creative rights
• Be shareable in digital formats
• Respond clearly to the programme themes

Environmental Responsibility

Participants are encouraged to reduce environmental impact during production.

Artists should consider using:

• Recycled materials
• Repurposed materials
• Low-waste production methods
• Locally available resources
• Environmentally responsible processes
• Sustainable documentation practices

This aligns with the programme’s focus on kaitiakitanga and climate-conscious creativity.

Documentation and Online Exhibition

Selected works will be documented through photography and short video features.

Documentation may include:

• Interviews with selected artists
• Behind-the-scenes recordings
• Creative process documentation
• Final artwork documentation
• Short video features
• Photography of completed works

The commissioned pieces will be presented in an online Kotahitanga gallery and shared through Creative Waikato platforms.

Artist Ownership and Promotion Rights

Selected artists will retain ownership of their work.

However, artists will grant permission for Creative Waikato, Len Reynolds Trust and Trust Waikato to share and promote the commissioned pieces.

This allows the programme partners to showcase the works publicly and support wider environmental awareness and creative engagement.

Why This Programme Matters

The Creativity Commission Program matters because it connects art, community, culture and environmental responsibility.

Climate change is not only a scientific or policy issue. It is also a social, cultural and emotional issue that affects people, land, water and future generations.

By supporting artists to interpret these themes, the programme helps communities engage with climate change through storytelling, creativity and shared reflection.

It also provides direct support to both emerging and established artists connected to the Waikato region.

How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Submission

Applicants should prepare a clear and original proposal that shows how their work responds to the commission themes.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Applicants should confirm that they are emerging or established artists connected to the Waikato region.

Applicants aged 18 years or younger must ensure they have legal guardian consent.

Step 2: Choose the Appropriate Artist Category

Applicants should identify whether they are applying as an emerging artist or an established artist.

Emerging artists may receive $1,000, while established artists may receive $2,000.

Step 3: Develop an Original Creative Concept

The proposed work should be original and clearly connected to the programme themes.

Artists should explain how the work responds to Kotahitanga, kaitiakitanga, te taiao, climate change, wai, whenua or whānau.

Step 4: Select a Digital-Friendly Format

Applicants should ensure that the final work can be documented and shared online.

This is important because selected works will be presented through an online gallery and Creative Waikato platforms.

Step 5: Explain the Creative Process

Applicants should describe how they will create the work.

This may include materials, methods, artistic approach, timeline and how the work will engage audiences.

Step 6: Address Environmental Impact

Artists should explain whether they will use recycled, repurposed or low-impact materials.

Where possible, applicants should show how their production process reflects environmental responsibility.

Step 7: Confirm Rights and Consent

Applicants should ensure they have permission for any materials, people, stories, sounds, images or cultural elements included in the work.

This is especially important for works involving interviews, performances, community stories or recorded content.

Step 8: Avoid AI-Generated Creative Work

Applicants should not submit AI-generated creative work.

The proposal and final artwork should reflect the artist’s own creative practice.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:

• Submitting work that is not connected to the Waikato region
• Providing a concept with weak links to the programme themes
• Submitting AI-generated creative work
• Using non-original material without permission
• Ignoring consent and rights requirements
• Creating work that cannot be shared digitally
• Submitting discriminatory, harmful or partisan content
• Failing to consider environmental impact
• Not explaining the creative process clearly
• Applying without guardian consent if aged 18 or younger
• Submitting work that does not respond to climate change or environmental themes

Tips for a Strong Application

A strong application should:

• Clearly connect the artwork to Kotahitanga, kaitiakitanga and te taiao
• Show a meaningful response to climate change
• Reflect connections to wai, whenua and whānau
• Present an original and thoughtful artistic concept
• Use an accessible and shareable format
• Demonstrate environmental awareness in the production process
• Explain how audiences may engage with the work
• Respect cultural, creative and personal rights
• Avoid AI-generated creative content
• Show why the artist’s connection to Waikato matters

FAQ

1. What is the Creative Waikato Creativity Commission Program?

The Creativity Commission Program is a commissioning opportunity for artists connected to the Waikato region to create original work exploring unity, environmental guardianship and climate-focused themes.

2. How many artists will be selected?

A total of 20 artists will be selected.

3. How much funding is available?

Ten emerging artists will receive $1,000 each, and ten established artists will receive $2,000 each.

4. Who can apply?

Emerging and established artists from or affiliated with the Waikato region can apply.

5. What artistic mediums are accepted?

All artistic mediums are accepted, including visual arts, performance, audio, writing and mixed media, as long as the final output can be shared digitally.

6. Can applicants submit AI-generated creative work?

No. AI-generated creative work is not permitted for this commission.

7. Where will selected works be shared?

Selected works will be documented through photography and short video features and presented in an online Kotahitanga gallery and on Creative Waikato platforms.

Conclusion

The Creative Waikato Creativity Commission Program supports artists in creating original work that explores unity, environmental guardianship and climate change through the lens of Waikato connections.

With commissions for 10 emerging artists and 10 established artists, the programme provides direct support for creative expression rooted in Kotahitanga, kaitiakitanga, te taiao, wai, whenua and whānau.

Applicants should present original, digitally shareable and environmentally conscious creative proposals that reflect the programme’s themes and contribute to wider public awareness, cultural dialogue and climate-focused artistic engagement.

For more information, visit Trust Waikato.