Apply for Creative Communities Schemec(New Zealand)

Deadline: 02-Nov-2026

The Creative Communities Scheme Fund supports and encourages arts activities across New Zealand, including performances, exhibitions, festivals, creative workshops, and art projects in the Kaikōura community. The scheme is designed to encourage, promote, and support participation in the arts while recognising the different ethnicities, cultures, and communities across New Zealand.

About the Creative Communities Scheme Fund

Creative New Zealand provides funding each year through the Creative Communities Scheme to support arts activities within local communities. The programme aims to make it easier for people to participate in and experience the arts through locally relevant projects. Funding can support a range of activities, including community performances, creative workshops, exhibitions, festivals, and other art projects. Creative Communities Scheme Focus Areas Projects must support at least one of the scheme’s focus areas.

The key focus areas include:

Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed project contributes to at least one of these priorities. Access and Participation The access and participation focus aims to create opportunities for local communities to engage with and participate in arts activities.

Examples of eligible activities include:

- Community performances. - Creative workshops. - Exhibitions. - Festivals featuring local artists. Projects should provide opportunities for community members to take part in or experience local arts activities. Diversity Focus The diversity focus supports the diverse artistic and cultural traditions of local communities.

Activities can include:

- Workshops. - Rehearsals. - Performances. - Festivals. - Exhibitions. Projects may involve Māori or Pasifika heritage art forms, as well as arts activities developed by local migrant communities. Young People Focus The young people focus aims to provide opportunities for people under 18 years to engage with and participate in the arts.

Examples include:

- Young people working with an artist to create a mural. - Young people developing street art. - Young people creating a film about an issue that is important to them. Projects should provide meaningful opportunities for young people to participate creatively. How Much Funding Is Available? There is no limit to the amount applicants can request through the Creative Communities Scheme Fund. However, most Creative Communities Scheme grants tend to be under $5,000. Applicants should request an amount appropriate to the proposed project and its activities. Who Can Apply?

Eligibility depends on whether the applicant is applying as an individual or as a group

Individuals must:

- Be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.

Groups must:

- Be based in New Zealand. Applicants should ensure they meet the relevant eligibility requirements before submitting an application. Requirements for Previous Grant Recipients Applicants who have previously received Creative Communities Scheme funding for a project must complete a report on that project before making another application. An exception applies when the previously funded project is still in progress. This reporting requirement helps ensure that previous funded activities are appropriately documented before another application is submitted. What Types of Activities Can Be Supported? The scheme can support a wide range of community arts activities.

Examples include:

- Performances. - Exhibitions. - Festivals. - Creative workshops. - Community art projects. - Māori heritage art activities. - Pasifika heritage art activities. - Arts activities by local migrant communities. - Youth arts projects. Projects should align with at least one of the scheme’s focus areas. Supporting Local Artists and Communities The Creative Communities Scheme provides opportunities for local communities to participate in arts activities and experience creative work within their communities. Projects such as exhibitions, performances, workshops, and festivals can help bring people together while supporting local artistic and cultural expression. Supporting Cultural Diversity The scheme recognises the importance of diverse cultural traditions within New Zealand communities. Projects that showcase Māori, Pasifika, migrant, and other local cultural traditions can contribute to a more diverse and inclusive arts environment. Supporting Young People Through the Arts Creative activities can give young people opportunities to express themselves, explore issues that matter to them, and work alongside artists. The young people focus specifically encourages projects that enable people under 18 to participate in artistic activities. Key Facts About the Creative Communities Scheme Fund

- Programme: Creative Communities Scheme Fund

- Location: New Zealand

- Community mentioned: Kaikōura

- Funder: Creative New Zealand

- Purpose: Encourage, promote, and support the arts

- Funding limit: No limit on the amount that can be requested

- Typical grant size: Most grants tend to be under $5,000

- Focus areas: Access and participation, diversity, and young people

- Individual applicants: New Zealand citizens or permanent residents

- Group applicants: Must be based in New Zealand

- Previous funding: Report required before another application, unless the previous project is still in progress

- Supported activities: Performances, exhibitions, festivals, creative workshops, and art projects

Frequently Asked Questions About the Creative Communities Scheme Fund What is the Creative Communities Scheme Fund? It is a Creative New Zealand funding scheme that supports and encourages arts activities and participation within communities across New Zealand. How much funding can applicants request? There is no set limit on the amount that can be requested. However, most Creative Communities Scheme grants tend to be under $5,000. What are the focus areas of the scheme? Projects must support at least one of the focus areas: access and participa