Funding for individual artists and practitioners or a group of collaborators to undertake professional development and creative development activities that benefit their careers.
On this page
- Overview
- Funding rounds
- Who can apply
- Get advice before you apply
- What can be funded
- How to apply
- How your application is assessed
Overview
Amount
Up to $5,000
Artforms
Development Fund for Artists and Practitioners 2025
For activities taking place between:
21 May 2025 - 21 Aug 2026
Opens: 3 Mar 2025
Closes: 3 Apr 2025, 1PM
Results due: 21 May 2025
Development Fund for Artists and Practitioners 2024
For activities taking place between:
22 May 2024 - 22 Aug 2025
Opened: 7 Mar 2024
Closed: 4 Apr 2024, 1PM
Who can apply
Artists and practitioners who are New Zealand citizens or Permanent Residents.
You can apply as:
- an individual, or
- a group of collaborators.
Who cannot apply
Arts organisations and groups cannot apply to this fund.
Permanent, full-time staff members of Toi Tōtara Haemata or Toi Uru Kahikatea investment organisations cannot apply. However, part time, permanent employees (up to 20 hours per week) can apply for development activities that benefit their artistic work outside their organisation.
Get advice before you apply
Talk to a Development Adviser about applying to this fund.
Check that:
- you are eligible for this fund
- your activities can be funded
- you know what to include in your application
Get accessibility support
If our systems are not accessible for you, we will help you find an accessible way to apply.
Talk to a Development Adviser about your access needs.
Read more about how we can support your access needs when making an application.
What can be funded
You can apply for professional and creative development activities such as:
- research, training, coaching, or mentoring
- attending workshops, conferences, wānanga or talanoa nationally or internationally
What cannot be funded
This grant does not support creative projects or new work. If you are looking to make new work, consider the Creative Fellowship Fund or the Early Career Fund.
How much you can apply for
You can apply for up to $5,000.
This is the maximum amount, whether you apply as an individual or as a group of collaborators.
The grant can go towards fees and costs associated with your professional and creative development activities.
You can use the funding to buy capital items if they are necessary for your development activities and provide long-term benefits to your professional or creative development.
Payment for accessibility costs
People who identify as Deaf or disabled, or experience disability or an impairment, can claim an additional payment on top of their grant. The payment is to help cover accessibility costs during the period of the grant.
Read more about claiming an accessibility payment.
How to apply
Start your application in the CNZ Portal
The application form is available when the funding round is open. You can submit one application per funding round.
Register or sign into the CNZ Portal.
Get help using the CNZ Portal.
Prepare answers to the application questions
- What development activity or activities do you want to do?
- Why is it important that you do this now?
- What do you think the benefits will be for your creative and professional practice?
- What do you hope this may lead to?
No budget needed for the application
You do not need to provide a budget with your application.
If your application is successful, we will ask you to provide a budget when we offer you the grant.
Read more about creating a budget.
How your application is assessed
Assessment criteria
Peer assessors assess how well your proposed activities:
- help expand your skills and knowledge
- are well-planned
- are important for you to do at this stage in your development
- benefit your practice, both creatively and professionally
- have an impact on your career
Creative New Zealand staff look at how your proposal will support dynamic, diverse, and resilient New Zealand arts, in line with our Interim Investment Intentions 2023-25
Who assesses your application
Your application is assessed by different people, depending on which funding pool you apply to.
General arts funding pool
Your application is assessed by a peer assessor.
Ngā toi Māori funding pool
Your application is assessed by a Ngā toi Māori peer assessor.
Pacific arts funding pool
Your application is assessed by a Pacific arts peer assessor.
Read more about choosing a funding pool.
Who makes the funding decisions
Creative New Zealand staff make the funding decisions, which are reviewed and approved by Creative New Zealand’s Senior Leadership team.
We aim to fund a diverse range of Aotearoa artists and practitioners.