Deadline: 10-Sep-2025
The Creative Communities Fund offers financial support to assist local community members and groups in bringing creative arts projects to life throughout the Horowhenua District.
Access and participation: Create opportunities for local communities to engage with, and participate in local arts activities; Diversity: Support the diverse artistic cultural traditions of local communities; Young people: Enable young people (under 18 years of age) to engage with, and participate in the arts.
The fund is made available through the Creative Communities Scheme managed by Creative New Zealand and delivered locally by Horowhenua District Council. It is designed to empower both individuals and groups within the district to undertake arts-focused projects that haven’t already started before funding is approved. Projects supported include a broad array of creative expressions, with the goal of strengthening community engagement, cultural diversity, and youth involvement in the arts.
Eligible applications must be tied to at least one of the three core focus areas—access and participation, diversity, or young people. The average grant awarded through the scheme is around NZD 2,300, though past grants have ranged between NZD 400 and NZD 10,000, depending on project scope and need.
Applications require detailed information about the proposed project, including its idea, process, people involved, budget, and how it aligns with one of the funding criteria. Applicants need to provide financial details that outline project costs, expected income, and the amount requested. Supporting documentation such as quotations, bank details, and evidence of past funding or completed reports may also be necessary.
The current round of applications for the 2025/2026 Creative Communities Scheme in Horowhenua District is open now and closes at midnight on 10 September 2025 (NZST). Applicants submit their projects online through the council’s application portal powered by SmartyGrants, with options to save progress, upload supporting files, and receive submission confirmation.
For more information, visit Horowhenua District Council.