Development Fund for Arts Organisations and Groups

Who can apply

New Zealand-based arts organisations and groups, including organisations in the Toi Tōtara Haemata or Toi Uru Kahikatea programmes.

Read what we mean by arts organisations and groups

Organisations and groups can apply individually or jointly with other eligible organisations and groups.

Previous recipients

Organisations or groups who received a Development Fund grant in 2024 or 2025 must submit a completion report before applying again.

Read about reporting on the outcomes of your grant. 

Get advice before you apply 

Talk to a Development Adviser about applying to this fund.

Check that:

• your organisation or group is 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 your organisation or group to undertake capability building initiatives to build skills that create long term success. 

An organisation can apply for up to two of the following focus areas:

• Accessibility for Deaf and disabled communities
• Audience engagement
• Cultural competency
• Tiaki taiao, environmental guardianship and responsiveness
• Financial resilience 
• Governance development
• Responsiveness to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Strategy development.

Some examples of eligible applications could include:

• Accessibility planning, policy, or training
• Research or strategy development towards increased audience engagement
• Developing a revenue generation strategy.

Your activities must be completed between 25 June 2026 and 25 September 2027.

How much you can apply for

Up to $10,000 towards no more than two focus areas.

Website development or upgrades can only be funded if it is linked to one of the focus areas.

You cannot apply for

• Capital expenditure, for example, CRM software
• Costs to modify physical workspaces

How often you can apply

You can make one application per funding round.

How to apply

Start your application in the CNZ Portal

The application form is available when the funding round is open.

Register or sign into the CNZ Portal.

Get help using the CNZ Portal.

Applying jointly

You can submit a joint application to this fund with another organisation or group. Here’s how it works:

• The primary contact person begins the application in the CNZ portal on behalf of their organisation or group.
• They then invite a representative from the other organisation or group to join the application in the CNZ portal.
• One person from each organisation or group must sign the application to confirm they agree to the terms and conditions of funding on behalf of their organisation or group.

Prepare answers to the application questions

• What development activity or activities do you want to do?
• What is your plan to deliver the development activity or activities?
• What are the benefits to your arts organisation or group or your communities?

No budget required 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 consider whether:

• your proposed activities align well with the focus areas for this fund
• there is a clear need in your organisation/s or group/s to build these skills
• the activities are well-planned and thought through
• developing these skills will provide clear benefits to your organisation/s, group/s, or communities, and help you create long-term success

Who assesses your application

Your application is assessed by different people, depending on which funding pool you apply to.

General arts funding pool

Peer assessors will assess your application. Creative New Zealand Staff will make the funding decisions. 

Ngā toi Māori funding pool

Ngā Toi Māori peer assessors will assess your application. Creative New Zealand Ngā Toi Māori staff will make the funding decisions. 

Pacific arts funding pool

Pacific Arts peer assessors will assess your application. Creative New Zealand Pacific Arts staff will make the funding decisions.

Read more about choosing a funding pool.