Festival Fund – Creative Communities Scheme (New Zealand)

These funds are intended to help the sector adapt and thrive as they move away from the effects of COVID-19 and to further improve access, equity, and arts participation for all New Zealanders. These funds are also intended to provide opportunities for the development of a resilient and sustainable arts sector.

The CCS provides funding support to local arts and this is administered by Upper Hutt City Council.

Funding Information

• There is no limit to how much you can apply for, but most CCS grants tend to be under $2,000.

Can I get funding for my project?

To be eligible for funding through CCS your arts project must support at least one of the following:

• Access and participation: Create opportunities for local communities to engage with, and participate in local arts activities, eg:
  • performances by community choirs, hip-hop groups, theatre companies or poets
  • workshops on printmaking, writing, dancing or other creative forms
  • exhibitions by local craft groups promoting weaving, pottery and carving
  • festivals featuring local artists
  • creation of a community film or a public artwork by a community
• Diversity: Support the diverse artistic cultural traditions of local communities, eg:
  • workshops, rehearsals, performances, festivals or exhibitions in Māori or Pasifika heritage art forms
  • workshops, rehearsals, performances, festivals or exhibitions by local migrant communities
  • arts projects bringing together groups from a range of different communities
  • workshops, rehearsals, performances, festivals or exhibitions by groups with experience of disability or mental illness.
• Young people: Enable young people (under 18 years) to engage with, and participate in the arts, eg:
  • a group of young people working with an artist to create a mural or street art
  • a group of young people creating a film about an issue that is important to them
  • printing a collection of writing by young people
  • music workshops for young people
  • an exhibition of visual art work by young people
• Your project must:
  • take place within the city or district where the application is made
  • be completed within 12 months of funding being approved
  • not have started or finished before CCS funding is approved.

Who can apply?

• To apply, your festival must have been delivered at least once in the previous five years (this may include digital presentation). Please make sure you include evidence of previous delivery in your application.
• A festival (for the purpose of this fund) involves an integrated programme of events and activities featuring one or more artforms, from any cultural tradition, that takes place within a defined area or region over a designated period of time.
• Individuals or groups can apply for CCS funding.
• Individuals must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
• If you have already received funding from CCS for a project, you must complete a report on that project before making another application, unless the project is still in progress.

For more information, visit Upper Hutt City Council.