Creative Communities Fund Supporting Local Arts Projects (New Zealand)

The Horowhenua District Council administers the Creative Communities NZ Scheme (CCS) on behalf of Creative New Zealand to fund local arts projects in the Horowhenua district. The scheme supports initiatives under three focus areas: Access and Participation, Diversity, and Young People. Grants are typically under $2,000, with funding available for materials, venue hire, artist fees, and promotional costs.

What Is the Creative Communities NZ Scheme (CCS)?

The Creative Communities NZ Scheme (CCS) is a local arts funding programme managed by district councils across New Zealand on behalf of Creative New Zealand.

In Horowhenua, the Horowhenua District Council distributes allocated funding annually to support community-based arts projects.

The purpose of CCS is to:

• Increase community participation in the arts

• Support diverse cultural expression

• Encourage youth engagement in creative activities

• Strengthen local creative capacity

Most grants are under $2,000, but there is no fixed upper funding limit per application.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible Applicants

• Individuals (must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents)

• Community groups

• Arts collectives

• Local organisations

Additional Requirement

Applicants who have previously received CCS funding must:

• Submit a completed accountability report for their earlier funded project

• Unless the previous project is still in progress

Eligibility is restricted to projects that benefit communities within the Horowhenua district.

What Types of Projects Are Funded?

Projects must align with at least one of the three CCS focus areas:

1. Access and Participation

Projects must create opportunities for local communities to engage with and participate in the arts.

Examples include:

• Performances by community choirs, hip-hop groups, theatre companies, or poets

• Workshops in printmaking, writing, dance, and other creative practices

• Exhibitions by local craft groups (weaving, pottery, carving)

• Festivals featuring local artists

• Community film projects

• Public art initiatives

• Creation of tukutuku, whakairo, or kowhaiwhai for a local marae

• Artist residencies involving local participation

• Seminars or training sessions supporting local artist development

The focus is on active community involvement rather than passive audiences.

2. Diversity

This focus area supports artistic and cultural traditions within the district’s diverse communities.

Eligible activities may include:

• Workshops, rehearsals, performances, or exhibitions in Māori or Pasifika heritage art forms

• Cultural festivals celebrating local traditions

• Projects led by migrant communities

• Collaborative initiatives bringing together multiple cultural groups

• Arts projects involving people with lived experience of disability or mental illness

The goal is to promote cultural representation and inclusive participation.

3. Young People (Under 18 Years)

Projects must enable young people under 18 to actively participate in the arts.

Examples include:

• Collaborating with an artist to create murals or street art

• Producing short films on youth-related topics

• Publishing collections of writing by young people

• Music workshops or band development programmes

• Exhibitions of youth-created visual art

Projects must emphasise participation rather than observation.

What Can the Funding Cover?

CCS funding can be used for:

• Materials for arts activities or programmes

• Venue hire

• Equipment hire

• Artist fees and personnel costs (for short-term projects)

• Administrative costs related to the project

• Promotion and publicity

Funding is generally intended for project-based activities rather than ongoing operational expenses.

Why This Scheme Matters

The Creative Communities NZ Scheme:

• Strengthens local creative ecosystems

• Encourages grassroots arts development

• Supports cultural diversity and inclusion

• Provides accessible funding for small-scale initiatives

• Empowers youth participation in the arts

By distributing funding locally, the scheme ensures community-driven decision-making and relevance to regional needs.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure:

• You are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident (if applying as an individual)

• Your project benefits the Horowhenua district community

• Previous CCS reporting obligations are complete

Step 2: Align Your Project With a Focus Area

Clearly identify whether your project fits under:

• Access and Participation

• Diversity

• Young People

Explain how your project meets the objectives of the selected focus area.

Step 3: Prepare a Project Plan

Include:

• Clear project description

• Timeline

• Community benefit explanation

• Budget breakdown

• Details of participants and collaborators

Step 4: Submit Your Application

Apply through the Horowhenua District Council’s CCS application process within the specified funding round.

Step 5: Complete Reporting (If Funded)

If successful:

• Deliver the project as proposed

• Submit an accountability report

• Provide financial and activity documentation

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to demonstrate clear community benefit

• Submitting incomplete budgets

• Applying without finalising previous CCS reports

• Proposing projects outside the Horowhenua district

• Emphasising spectatorship instead of participation

Ensure your application clearly shows local impact and active engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much funding can I apply for?

Most grants are under $2,000, but there is no fixed upper limit.

2. Who manages the funding locally?

The Horowhenua District Council administers the scheme on behalf of Creative New Zealand.

3. Can groups apply?

Yes. Community groups and organisations are eligible to apply.

4. Is the scheme only for professional artists?

No. Community-led and grassroots projects are encouraged.

5. Can funding cover venue hire and materials?

Yes. Funding can support materials, equipment hire, venue costs, artist fees, administration, and promotion.

6. Do young people have to lead the project for the Young People category?

Not necessarily, but the project must actively involve participants under 18 years of age.

7. Can I apply if I previously received CCS funding?

Yes, but you must have submitted a report for your previous project unless it is still ongoing.

Conclusion

The Creative Communities NZ Scheme in Horowhenua provides accessible, community-focused arts funding that supports participation, diversity, and youth engagement.

By offering flexible grants for local creative initiatives, the scheme strengthens cultural life within the district and empowers communities to bring their artistic ideas to life.

For individuals and groups in Horowhenua seeking support for grassroots arts projects, CCS represents a practical and impactful funding opportunity.