Open Call for Arts and Culture Capability Fund Program (New Zealand)

Deadline: 16-Aug-2026

The Arts & Culture Capability Fund provides grants of up to NZ$7,500 to eligible arts and culture organisations in Dunedin, New Zealand, to strengthen organisational capability, improve governance, support professional development, and build long-term sustainability. The fund prioritizes initiatives that align with Ara Toi Otepoti: Our Creative Future and encourage collaboration, innovation, and sector growth.

What is the Arts & Culture Capability Fund?

The Arts & Culture Capability Fund is designed to help arts and culture organisations build stronger, more sustainable operations while increasing their impact within the community.

The fund supports organisations that contribute to Ara Toi Otepoti: Our Creative Future – Dunedin’s Arts and Culture Strategy, with a focus on strengthening organisational skills, governance, strategic planning, and collaborative partnerships.

By investing in capability-building activities, the fund aims to support a resilient, innovative, and financially sustainable arts and culture sector across Dunedin.

Funding Overview

Grant Amount

• Up to NZ$7,500 per organisation per year

Funding Purpose

Funding supports activities that improve organisational capability, governance, sustainability, and effectiveness.

Key Objectives

• Strengthen management and leadership skills.
• Improve governance practices.
• Enhance organisational sustainability.
• Foster innovation and collaboration.
• Support long-term strategic development.
• Increase sector-wide capacity and resilience.

Priority Areas

The fund prioritizes projects that contribute to:

Organisational Capability Development

• Leadership development.
• Management training.
• Staff capability building.
• Volunteer training and support.

Governance Strengthening

• Board development programs.
• Governance training.
• Governance policy improvement.
• Strategic oversight enhancement.

Business and Strategic Planning

• Strategic planning processes.
• Business plan development.
• Sustainability planning.
• Organisational growth strategies.

Collaboration and Partnerships

• Cross-sector partnerships.
• Shared service models.
• Collaborative projects.
• Innovation-focused partnerships.

Cultural Capability

• Cultural competency training.
• Diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Community engagement approaches.

Eligible Applicants

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Arts organisations.
• Cultural organisations.
• Creative sector groups.
• Community arts organisations.
• Not-for-profit arts and culture entities operating in Dunedin.

Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to supporting the goals of Dunedin’s Arts and Culture Strategy.

Priority Consideration

The fund particularly encourages applications from:

• Organisations new to Arts & Culture Capability funding.
• Groups seeking collaborative approaches.
• Organisations aiming to improve long-term sustainability.
• Entities working on innovative sector-development initiatives.

What Can the Funding Be Used For?

Funding may support a wide range of capability-building activities.

Professional Development

Examples include:

• Staff training programs.
• Leadership development courses.
• Skills enhancement workshops.
• Sector-specific learning opportunities.

Governance Development

Funding may cover:

• Board member training.
• Governance mentoring.
• Governance reviews.
• Trustee development programs.

Cultural Capability Training

Examples include:

• Cultural awareness programs.
• Diversity and inclusion training.
• Community engagement training.

Training Resources

Funding may support:

• Development of volunteer training materials.
• Staff training resources.
• Organisational learning tools.

External Expert Support

Organisations may hire consultants to:

• Review policies and procedures.
• Develop strategic plans.
• Create business plans.
• Improve governance frameworks.
• Conduct organisational assessments.

Systems and Process Improvement

Funding may be used for:

• Customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
• Organisational management tools.
• Evaluation and reporting frameworks.
• Operational improvement systems.

What Cannot Be Funded?

Applicants should review official guidelines for specific exclusions. Generally, capability funding is intended for organisational development rather than routine operational expenses.

Why This Fund Matters

Many arts and culture organisations face challenges related to governance, sustainability, staffing capacity, and long-term planning.

The Arts & Culture Capability Fund helps organisations:

• Build stronger leadership structures.
• Improve governance effectiveness.
• Strengthen financial sustainability.
• Increase community impact.
• Encourage innovation.
• Develop collaborative partnerships.
• Improve long-term resilience.

A stronger arts sector contributes to cultural vibrancy, economic development, community wellbeing, and creative opportunities throughout Dunedin.

How to Apply

Step 1: Review Eligibility Requirements

Confirm that your organisation:

• Operates within the arts and culture sector.
• Contributes to Dunedin’s Arts and Culture Strategy.
• Meets all funding requirements.

Step 2: Identify Organisational Needs

Assess areas where capability development is required, such as:

• Governance.
• Strategic planning.
• Staff development.
• Systems improvement.
• Cultural capability.

Step 3: Develop a Capability-Building Plan

Clearly outline:

• Organisational challenges.
• Proposed activities.
• Expected outcomes.
• Long-term benefits.
• Budget requirements.

Step 4: Prepare Supporting Documentation

Gather any required documents, including:

• Organisational information.
• Budget details.
• Strategic plans (if applicable).
• Quotes from consultants or training providers.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Complete the application form and submit all required materials before the deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

Demonstrate Clear Organisational Need

Explain:

• Current challenges.
• Capability gaps.
• Why funding is necessary.

Focus on Long-Term Impact

Show how the project will:

• Improve sustainability.
• Strengthen governance.
• Deliver lasting benefits.

Align with Strategic Priorities

Clearly connect the project to:

• Ara Toi Otepoti goals.
• Community outcomes.
• Sector development objectives.

Highlight Collaboration

Applications that foster partnerships and shared learning may strengthen their impact.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting vague project descriptions.
• Failing to explain long-term benefits.
• Providing incomplete budgets.
• Weak links to the Arts and Culture Strategy.
• Insufficient evidence of organisational need.
• Lack of measurable outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much funding is available?

Eligible organisations can apply for up to NZ$7,500 annually.

2. Who can apply?

Arts and culture organisations operating in Dunedin and contributing to the city’s Arts and Culture Strategy.

3. Can new applicants apply?

Yes. The fund specifically encourages organisations that have not previously received Arts & Culture Capability funding.

4. Can funding be used for consultant support?

Yes. Organisations may engage external consultants for strategic planning, governance reviews, policy development, and organisational improvement projects.

5. Can funding support staff training?

Yes. Professional development and capability-building activities for staff and volunteers are eligible.

6. Can organisations apply for other grants at the same time?

Yes. Applying for capability funding does not prevent organisations from seeking other funding opportunities from the Otago Community Trust or Dunedin City Council.

7. What is the main purpose of the fund?

The primary purpose is to strengthen organisational capability, governance, sustainability, collaboration, and innovation within Dunedin’s arts and culture sector.

Conclusion

The Arts & Culture Capability Fund provides a valuable opportunity for Dunedin arts and culture organisations to strengthen leadership, improve governance, build sustainability, and enhance their long-term impact. By supporting capability-building initiatives, the fund contributes to a stronger, more resilient, and more innovative arts and culture sector that benefits communities across Dunedin.

For more information, visit Otago Community Trust.