Funding for established New Zealand artists and practitioners and arts organisations and groups to achieve international success.
On this page:
- Overview
- Key dates
- Who can apply
- What can be funded
- How to apply
- How applications are assessed
- If you need more information or support to apply
Overview
Amount
Up to $75,000 per year, for one, two, or three years
Artforms
Key dates
Stage One - Expression of Interest
Open: 24 August 2026
Close: 1:00 PM (NZ time) on Monday, 21 September 2026
Stage Two - Application
Close: 1:00 PM (NZ time) on Thursday, 1 October 2026
Results due: 9 December 2026
Who can apply
This fund is open to established artists and practitioners who are New Zealand citizens or Permanent Residents, and New Zealand based arts organisations and groups.
All applicants must:
- be able to demonstrate their previous experience and capability in an international context
- have evidence of international demand
- have a current international strategy
Artists and practitioners can apply as:
- an individual, or
- a group of collaborators
Funding for artists and practitioners will be prioritised in the 2026 International Arts Impact Fund.
Who cannot apply
Arts organisations and groups that have been offered funding for 2027 through the Arts Organisations and Groups Fund can not apply to this fund.
Artists and practitioners who have applied for funding from the Creative Fellowship Fund for the same period or Creative Impact Fund for the same activity cannot apply to this fund.
What can be funded
The International Arts Impact Fund supports artists, practitioners and arts organisations and groups to achieve international impacts over a longer-term period.
Funding can be used towards activity that contributes towards international impacts including:
- creation of new work
- professional and creative development
- market development
- international presentations and touring
Applicants agree to work with Creative New Zealand and partner at international events for leveraging and promotion, where appropriate.
Fund period and amounts
You can apply for up to $75,000 per year, for one, two, or three calendar years.
To apply to the International Arts Impact Fund in 2026, your fund period must start on 1 January 2027.
Amounts and fund periods offered may be less than requested.
Funding for subsequent years is conditional on applicants meeting reporting requirements.
How to apply
Step One - Expression of interest
Before you can apply, you first need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).
Your EOI must be submitted by 1:00 PM (NZ time) on Monday 21 September 2026 and include:
- Applicant details
- Eligibility check and declaration
- A summary of your international experience and goals
Open the Expression of Interest form
Creative New Zealand staff will review the EOIs. If you meet the criteria to apply, you will be given access to the application form on the CNZ portal.
Step Two - Application
Applications must be submitted by 1:00 PM (NZ time) on Thursday, 1 October 2026.
Register or sign in to the CNZ Portal
Prepare answers to the application questions
Your application needs to include your response to the following questions:
- What impacts are you seeking for your work or career, and for New Zealand art and artists? (Up to 5,000 characters)
- Why is it important to do this now? (Up to 2500 characters)
- What will you do to achieve these impacts? (Up to 2,500 characters)
- What are your goals, and targets or measures for each year of funding? (Up to 2,500 characters)
Prepare your support material
You must add the following support material to your application:
- Current International Strategy
- Evidence of international demand, such as invitations
- Brief artist biography or organisation profile that demonstrates previous international experience and capability
Read more about support material and which file formats you can attach to your application
Use of Artificial Intelligence
You can use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to help you draft, research, and refine your application, or to make funding processes more accessible.
We have developed guidance to consider if you do use AI in funding applications or creative mahi. These include thinking about possible impacts on intellectual property rights and data privacy, and cultural considerations, particularly in relation to Ngā Toi Māori and Pacific arts.
Read the guidance for using AI in funding applications and creative mahi
How applications are assessed
Assessment criteria
Assessors consider whether your proposal:
- Supports your creative thinking, experimentation, and growth in your arts practice
- Supports your development by helping you achieve your international goals
- Is timely and achievable, with measurable outcomes and impacts for New Zealand arts and artists
Who assesses applications
Applications are assessed by different people depending on the funding pool and artform you apply to.
General arts funding pool
Artform kaimahi, peer assessors, or both will assess your application.
Ngā toi Māori funding poll
Ngā toi Māori kaimahi, peer assessors, or both will assess your application.
Pacific arts fund
Pacific arts kaimahi, peer assessors, or both will assess your application.
How decisions are made
Creative New Zealand’s Senior leadership team make the final funding decisions.
For the 2026 International Arts Impact Fund, funding for artists and practitioners will be prioritised.
When making final decisions, Creative New Zealand will consider how the decisions reflect the diversity of our artists, arts practitioners, and the different communities that we serve.
If you need more information or support to apply
Get in touch if you have questions or need support to complete your EOI or application.
Email: funding@creativenz.govt.nz
Phone: 0800 CREATIVE (273 284) or +64 4 473 0880