International Engagement Fund

Key dates

Stage One - Expression of Interest

Open: Monday, 17 August 2026

Stage Two - Application

International Engagement Fund 2026/27 - Round 1
Close: 1:00 PM (NZ time) on Thursday, 10 September 2026
Results due by: 5 November 2026*

International Engagement Fund 2026/27 - Round 2
Close: 1:00 PM (NZ time) on Thursday, 3 December 2026
Results due by: 28 January 2027*

* Results may be notified sooner for requests up to $5,000.

Who can apply

This fund is open to applications from the following types of applicants:

• Artists and practitioners, and arts organisations and groups
• International presenters, arts organisations and cultural agencies

To apply, artists, practitioners and arts organisations must:

• Have received an offer or invitation to participate in an international opportunity (for amounts over $5,000)
• Have a current international strategy and be internationally-ready
• Be New Zealand citizens or Permanent Residents (artists and practitioners), or be New Zealand based (arts organisations and groups)

To apply, international presenters, cultural agencies and arts organisations must:

• Have a confirmed opportunity, offer, or invitation for New Zealand artists or arts organisations
• Be able to contribute towards the costs of the opportunity (for amounts over $5,000)

Who cannot apply

You cannot apply to this fund if you have:

• Been offered funding for the same international engagement opportunity through another Creative New Zealand fund or initiative, or are awaiting the outcome of your application
• Applied for funding or support for the same international engagement opportunity indirectly through a partner organisation
• Accepted funding from the Arts Organisations and Groups Fund for the period spanning the international engagement opportunity

What can be funded

The International Engagement Fund supports participation in international opportunities that have positive outcomes for New Zealand artists and arts organisations and that cannot be funded through any other Creative New Zealand fund or initiative.

Funding can be used towards activity that contributes towards international engagement outcomes including:

• International travel costs and freight
• Marketing and promotion
• Travel, accommodation and hosting for international presenters to view NZ work off-shore

Applicants agree to work with Creative New Zealand and partner at international events for leveraging and promotion, where appropriate.

Fund amounts and timing

You can request up to $25,000 towards the cost of participation in international engagement opportunities.

Applications for over $5,000 must include a confirmed contribution from other parties that includes payment for the artists involved and an offer or invitation.

The funding cannot be used for activities that occur before the funding decision is notified. The funded activity must start within six months of the notification date.

What cannot be funded

This fund cannot support participation in international engagement opportunities that could be supported through another Creative New Zealand fund or initiative, including indirectly through a partner organisation.

How to apply

To apply, you first need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).

Your EOI includes:

• Applicant details
• Eligibility check and declaration
• An outline of the international opportunity, including the amount requested, and why it is important to undertake this engagement at this time (up to 2,000 words)

Open the Expression of Interest Form

Creative New Zealand staff will review the EOIs. If you meet the criteria to apply, you will be asked to submit further information that could include:

• Details of the offer or invitation
• How the opportunity allows you to share knowledge and skills, present or share impactful work, or deepen people’s appreciation and participation in NZ arts in a global context
• How the opportunity benefits your career, arts practice or NZ art and artists
• Budget including confirmation of a contribution from other parties that includes payment for the artists involved
• Relevant strategic documents, for example, international strategy, artistic programme or arts and cultural strategy

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

Creative New Zealand staff or peer assessors consider whether your proposed activity:

• Allows you to share knowledge and skills, present or share impactful work, or deepen people’s appreciation and participation in NZ arts in a global context
• Supports your development by helping you achieve your international goals
• Is timely and crucial for you to do at this stage in your career
• Is achievable, with measurable outcomes and impacts for New Zealand arts and artists

For requests over $5,000, we also want to ensure your budget is thorough and includes fair pay for the people involved.

Who assesses your application

Your application is assessed by different people depending on which funding pool and artform you apply to and the amount requested.

Applications for up to $5,000

Creative New Zealand staff will assess your application and make the funding decision.

Applications to the Ngā toi Māori fund

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

Applications to the Pacific arts fund

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

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 application.

Email: funding@creativenz.govt.nz 

Phone: 0800 CREATIVE (273 284) or +64 4 473 0880