Arts Organisations and Groups Fund - $50,000 to $125,000

On this page

• Who can apply
• What can be funded
• What to include in your application
• How to apply
• How we assess your application and make decisions
• Who to talk to

Who can apply

New Zealand-based arts organisations and groups who have a dynamic vision for the arts in Aotearoa and make a positive impact in their communities.

We expect arts organisations and groups are likely to:

• have a defined purpose or vision
• be engaged in ongoing activity
• continue operating even if people change

We don’t expect all arts organisations and groups to have a formal strategic plan, professional staff, or to be a legal entity.

International arts organisations may apply only if the funding directly benefits New Zealand arts and artists.

Organisations in the Toi Tōtara Haemata or Toi Uru Kahikatea programmes cannot apply.

Please Speak with a Practice and Pathways Adviser to discuss if this fund applies to your organisation or group.

What can be funded

You can request between $50,000 and $125,000 per year, for one or two years, for operational or artistic costs.

Amounts above $100,000 will be an exception and depend on the funding we have available.

The grant will usually be no more than 50% of an organisation’s previous annual revenue. 

If your application is successful, you cannot apply for further support towards residencies, internships, or fellowships through the Residencies, Internships and Fellowships Fund. 

What to include in your application

Application questions

Your application will need to include response to the follow four questions:

1. What do you want to do?
2. What needs have you identified for your communities and how are you engaging with them to meet those needs?
3. How does your organisation or group contribute to the development of your artform, practice or the careers of New Zealand artists and practitioners?
4. How will you share your resources with others in your community?

Budget 

You must provide a detailed budget, and evidence of revenue from sources other than Creative New Zealand.

Support material

Also include:

• your strategic plan, manifesto, or other vision statements
• evidence of your recent activity, for instance an annual report or end of year summary to your committee or board
• evidence of the benefits and impact your organisation or group has made to your communities recently
• past two years annual accounts
• evidence of a Board or governing body, such as meeting minutes

We encourage you to consider how your organisation and programme of work recognises in the arts the role of Māori as tangata whenua, and the role of Pasifika as tangata Pasifika. 

How to apply

Apply using the online application form which is available in the CNZ portal when the funding round is open.

Support making an application

If our systems are not accessible to you, speak to one of our advisers to find the best way for you to apply. 

How we assess your application and make decisions

Your application is assessed by different people, depending on which funding pool you apply to. There are three funding pools for this fund:  

• General arts funding pool – External peer assessors and Creative New Zealand staff assess your application and make the funding decisions
• Ngā toi Māori funding pool –Ngā toi Māori peer assessors and Creative New Zealand's Ngā toi Māori staff assess your application and make the funding decisions
• Pacific arts funding pool – Pacific arts peer assessors and Creative New Zealand's Pacific arts staff assess your application and make the funding decisions

You can find advice about selecting a funding pool in Making an application.

When assessing your application, assessors consider whether: 

• there is evidence that you deliver quality programming that is well regarded by others

Assessors and Creative New Zealand staff consider whether:

• there is a clear need in your communities, or your audience, for the activities you propose
• there is potential for meaningful and positive impact in your communities or for your audience
• you contribute to the development of your artform, practice, or the careers of New Zealand artists and practitioners
• you share your skills, knowledge, and learning, to benefit others

Creative New Zealand staff consider whether:

• you have a dynamic vision or strategy which supports your organisation or group to succeed
• your activities will deliver to our Interim Investment Intentions 2023-25
• your finances are well-managed, and you have the means to support your activities 

When making decisions, we aim to fund a broad and diverse range of Aotearoa organisations and groups.

Who to talk to

Speak to a Practice and Pathways adviser to discuss your application