Submissions open for Creative Communities Scheme (New Zealand)

It is a partnership between Ōpōtiki District Council and Creative New Zealand. Every year Creative New Zealand provides money to councils to support local arts activities. Any individual, group or organisation can apply.

Funding Information

• They have $10,000 to allocate for this round.

Eligible Projects 

• 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
    • development of new tukutuku, whakairo or kōwhaiwhai for a local marae
    • artist residencies involving local artists or communities
    • seminars for local artist development.
  • 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.

Ineligible Projects

• You cannot apply for CCS funding for:
  • projects without an arts focus, eg: puzzles, upholstery, magic, model-making, commercial design, commercial fashion design, film festivals, fitness-based dance (such as aerobics or gymnastics or martial arts (such as tai chi or karate)
  • projects within the scope of other sectors or organisations, eg: arts projects in schools or other educational institutions that are the core business of that institution or are normally funded through curriculum or operating budgets
  • projects that mainly deliver outcomes for other sectors, such as health, heritage or the environment
  • local council projects
  • fundraising activities eg: benefit concerts to raise funds to buy a capital item or to pay for another activity
  • projects to develop facilities, eg: galleries, marae, theatres and other venues, including the costs of fixed items, whiteware, floor coverings, furnishings, gallery and theatre lights, stage curtains or building restoration. CCS funding is available for new artworks as part of marae projects such as tukutuku, whakairo, whāriki and kōwhaiwhai, however applications for funding for marae facilities or restoration projects should be made to the Lottery Marae Heritage and Facilities Fund, which is administered by the Lottery Grants Board.

Eligible Cost

• You can apply for support for:
  • materials for arts activities or programmes
  • venue or equipment hire
  • personnel and administrative costs for short-term projects
  • promotion and publicity of arts activities

Ineligible Cost

• CCS does not fund:
  • ongoing administration or personnel costs that are not related to the specific project
  • costs for projects already started or completed
  • travel costs to attend performances or exhibitions in other areas
  • buying equipment, such as computers, cameras, musical instruments, costumes, lights or uniforms
  • entry fees for competitions, contests and exams
  • prize money, awards and judges’ fees for competitions
  • royalties
  • the purchase of artworks for collections
  • the costs of running fundraising activity
  • debt or interest on debt.

Eligibility Criteria

• 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.

Application Requirements

• Full name of applicant: This is the name of the group, the organisation or person applying for funding. They will be responsible for the funding if the application is successful.
• Contact person: If you apply as a group enter the name and contact details of the person who is responsible for this application.
• Address, phone and email: Your local CCS administrator may need to contact you about your application and will let you know in writing whether you have been successful or not.
• GST number: If you or your organisation is GST registered please include your GST number.
• Bank account number: If you are successful the grant will be paid into a bank account.

For more information, visit Opotiki District Council.