Submit Entries for Creative Communities Scheme (New Zealand)

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) invites applications for grants supporting arts projects that increase community participation, celebrate cultural diversity, and engage young people across the Taupō District. The scheme supports grassroots creativity and encourages local artists, groups, and communities to develop projects that contribute to a vibrant and inclusive local arts environment. Approximately $39,000 is available annually from Creative New Zealand, distributed across two funding rounds. For the current financial year, Taupō District Council is also providing a one-off contribution of $50,000, creating additional support for eligible local arts initiatives. What Is the Creative Communities Scheme? The Creative Communities Scheme is a long-standing partnership between Creative New Zealand, local authorities, and communities. The scheme is designed to strengthen participation in the arts at the local level by supporting projects that enable people to experience, create, and engage with artistic and cultural activities. In the Taupō District, CCS supports grassroots projects that: - Increase participation in the arts. - Encourage diverse artistic expression. - Celebrate cultural identity and traditions. - Provide opportunities for young people. - Support emerging and new artists. - Encourage creative collaboration. - Develop original local artistic work. - Extend arts opportunities into rural communities. What Types of Arts Projects Are Supported? CCS supports projects that provide meaningful opportunities for local people to participate in artistic activities.

Projects may involve areas such as:

- Visual arts. - Music. - Film and screen projects. - Workshops. - Exhibitions. - Community arts activities. - Youth-led creative projects. - Cultural and artistic initiatives. - Collaborative creative projects. - New locally developed artistic work. The key consideration is that the project should create opportunities for community participation and contribute to the local arts environment. Supporting Community Participation Increasing participation is a central purpose of CCS funding. Projects should consider how they can make arts activities accessible and relevant to a broad range of people within the Taupō District.

Strong projects may:

- Introduce new audiences to the arts. - Provide opportunities for people to create art. - Encourage community-led artistic activity. - Make participation more accessible. - Bring different community groups together. - Create opportunities for people who may have limited access to arts activities. The emphasis is on active community participation, rather than simply producing an artistic outcome for a limited audience. Celebrating Cultural Diversity CCS encourages projects that recognize and celebrate the cultural diversity of the Taupō community. Supported cultural expression may include: - Māori arts and cultural traditions. - Pasifika arts and traditions. - Migrant cultural traditions. - Disability arts. - Other diverse cultural and artistic practices. Applicants should consider how their projects can create respectful opportunities for different communities to express, share, and celebrate their cultural identities. Engaging Young People Youth participation is another important priority. Projects can provide young people with opportunities to create, perform, learn, lead, or participate in artistic activities.

Examples could include:

- Youth-led films. - Music workshops. - Visual art exhibitions. - Creative workshops. - Youth-led cultural projects. - Collaborative artistic productions. Projects should demonstrate how young people will be meaningfully involved rather than simply being passive audiences. Supporting New and Emerging Artists Applicants are encouraged to consider opportunities for new artists and emerging creative practitioners.

Projects may help artists:

- Develop new creative work. - Gain practical experience. - Work with other artists. - Connect with local communities. - Experiment with new ideas. - Build audiences. - Develop collaborative projects. Supporting emerging talent can contribute to the long-term strength of the Taupō District’s creative sector. Encouraging Innovation The scheme encourages applicants to explore innovative ideas.

Innovation could involve:

- New approaches to community participation. - Creative use of technology. - New artistic formats. - Unusual collaborations. - New ways of reaching audiences. - Projects that connect different artistic disciplines. - Creative approaches to engaging young people or underserved communities. Applicants should clearly explain what is new or distinctive about their proposed project. Developing Original Local Work CCS also encourages the development of original artistic work that reflects the Taupō District and its communities.

Local creative projects can:

- Tell local stories. - Explore local identity. - Reflect community experiences. - Showcase local talent. - Create new artistic works. - Strengthen connections between artists and communities. Applicants should explain why the project is relevant to the local community and what artistic or cultural value it will create. Reaching Rural Communities Applicants are encouraged to consider extending arts activities beyond Taupō township. Projects that reach rural communities can help broaden access to creative opportunities across the district.

A rural-focused project could involve:

- Workshops in rural communities. - Traveling exhibitions. - Community-based performances. - Rural youth arts activities. - Creative collaborations between rural communities and artists. - Projects delivered across multiple local areas. Applicants should explain how their project will reach its intended communities and why the chosen locations are appropriate. How Much Funding Is Available? Approximately $39,000 is available each year through Creative New Zealand funding.

The funding is distributed across:

- Two funding rounds