Open Call: International Engagement Fund (New Zealand)

Deadline: 10-Sep-2026

The International Engagement Fund supports New Zealand artists, creative practitioners, and arts organisations to participate in significant international opportunities that can advance their careers and strengthen the global profile of New Zealand arts. Eligible applicants can request up to NZ$25,000 for international engagement costs such as travel, freight, marketing, promotion, and hosting international presenters. What Is the International Engagement Fund? The International Engagement Fund is provided by Creative New Zealand to help New Zealand’s arts sector build meaningful international connections. The fund supports artists and arts organisations that have opportunities to present, perform, exhibit, collaborate, or otherwise engage with international audiences and professional networks. The programme is designed to generate both individual career development and wider benefits for New Zealand’s arts sector. Supported opportunities should help applicants: Develop their artistic practice. Build international professional networks. Reach new audiences. Present New Zealand work internationally. Strengthen career opportunities. Increase the visibility of New Zealand arts. Develop long-term international partnerships. Why Does International Engagement Matter? International opportunities can provide artists with access to new audiences, professional networks, markets, collaborators, curators, presenters, and creative ideas. For New Zealand artists and organisations, international engagement can also increase recognition of New Zealand’s creative sector. The fund therefore supports opportunities that have potential to create meaningful benefits beyond a single trip or event. What Does the Fund Support? Funding can contribute to costs associated with international engagement opportunities. Costs associated with enabling international presenters to view New Zealand work offshore. The proposed costs should be directly connected to the international opportunity. What Is an International Engagement Opportunity? An international engagement opportunity is a significant opportunity outside New Zealand that enables an artist, practitioner, or arts organisation to develop their practice, present their work, build relationships, or promote New Zealand arts internationally. The opportunity should have clear professional or artistic value. How Much Funding Is Available?

Applicants can request up to:

NZ$25,000 towards eligible international engagement costs. However, an important co-contribution requirement applies to larger requests. Applications requesting more than NZ$5,000 must have a confirmed contribution from other parties, and that contribution must include payment for the artists involved. Applicants should therefore clearly identify confirmed financial contributions when preparing larger funding requests. Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Eligibility is available to several types of applicants

New Zealand Artists and Practitioners

Individuals may apply if they are:

New Zealand citizens, or New Zealand permanent residents. They should have a qualifying international opportunity that supports their artistic or professional development. New Zealand Arts Organisations and Groups New Zealand-based arts organisations and groups can apply for relevant international engagement opportunities. The organisation should demonstrate how the opportunity benefits its work and contributes to the wider New Zealand arts sector. International Presenters and Cultural Agencies International presenters or cultural agencies may also be eligible where they have a confirmed opportunity for New Zealand artists or organisations. This allows international partners to support opportunities that bring New Zealand artistic work to international audiences. What Makes a Strong International Engagement Proposal? A strong proposal should clearly explain why the opportunity is important.

Applicants should demonstrate:

The significance of the international opportunity. Why the applicant was selected or invited. How the opportunity advances their career or practice. What international relationships may result. How the opportunity benefits New Zealand arts. How the requested funding will be used. What other financial contributions have been confirmed. The proposal should focus on outcomes rather than simply describing the travel. How to Apply for the International Engagement Fund Creative New Zealand uses a two-stage application process.

Step 1: Submit an Expression of Interest

Applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).

The EOI should outline:

The international opportunity. The nature of the engagement. Why the opportunity is significant. How it relates to the applicant’s artistic practice or organisation. The potential international and New Zealand arts benefits. The EOI is used to determine whether the applicant should proceed to the full application stage.

Step 2: Wait for an Invitation to Apply

Applicants who are invited to proceed can then prepare the full application. Applicants should not assume that submitting an Expression of Interest automatically leads to funding.

Step 3: Prepare the Full Application

The full application should provide more detailed information about the opportunity and its expected outcomes.

Applicants should explain:

Details of the invitation or confirmed opportunity. Why the opportunity is important. Benefits to the applicant. Benefits to New Zealand arts. Proposed activities. International engagement outcomes. Full project budget. Confirmed financial contributions.

Step 4: Prepare the Budget

The budget should clearly identify:

Total project costs. Amount requested from the International Engagement Fund. Confirmed contributions from other parties. Artist payments where applicable. Other relevant income or expenditure. For requests above NZ$5,000, applicants should ensure the required confirmed contribution is documented.

Step 5: Submit the Full Application

Submit the