Support for leaders to grow their skills and build peer support networks, leading to strong, sustainable arts communities and organisations.
On this page:
- Overview
- Who can apply
- What the programme involves
- How to apply
- How decisions are made
- Who to talk to
Overview
Amount
No monetary grant
Artforms
Who can apply
Leaders who are new to senior executive positions in arts organisations or communities.
To apply, you must:
- be a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident
- have been in your role for less than two years.
What the programme involves
The New Leaders programme is offered every two years.
The programme supports leaders at a critical point in their journey, equipping them with the insight, confidence and capability to lead with impact.
Following the successful inaugural programme in 2025, the 2027 programme provides a rare and valuable opportunity to invest in your leadership development alongside a cohort of peers across the arts sector.
You will explore key areas of effective leadership such as strengthening your understanding of Te Tiriti, leading through uncertainty and organisational change and building high performing teams.
You’ll also have the opportunity to identify a leadership challenge you’re currently experiencing and receive coaching to work through the challenge.
Through a blend of online learning and in-person/ā-tinana wānanga, we will create space for whakawhanaungatanga, shared learning, and real-world application.
You will engage alongside a kāhui (cohort) in a focused programme designed to strengthen capability across key areas of leadership in:
- Te Tiriti and cultural leadership
- Governance
- Strategic leadership and organisational change
- Human resources and performance management
- Revenue generation
- Advocacy or AI
- Media training.
The programme will run from February to November 2027, with a kāhui of up to 25 people.
No grants are offered as part of this programme.
Participants need endorsement from their governing body or Board and to cover their own costs to attend the three in-person/ā-tinana wānanga, including travel.
Indicative programme outline
- In-person/ā-tinana wānanga at Creative New Zealand’s offices:
- 24 February, Te Whanganui-a-Tara
- 23 June, Tāmaki Makaurau
- 17 November, Te Whanganui-a-Tara - Online sessions with mātanga (experts) will be held monthly from March to October.
Each session will be on a weekday between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. - Online sessions with the kāhui will be held monthly from April to November, between the sessions with the mātanga. These will be an opportunity to discuss and reflect on the information and apply these learnings with your peers. Each session will be held on a weekday between 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM.
- Up to three mentoring or coaching sessions at a time to be determined between you and the mentor or coach (optional).
Exact dates will be confirmed with selected participants.
We strongly recommend participating in all sessions for the greatest learning outcomes and to build strong relationships with your peers. Please consider the time commitment required before you apply.
How to apply
To apply, submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) by 1:00 PM, Wednesday 9 September 2026 (NZ time).
Your EOI needs to include:
- your name and contact information
- the senior executive role you are in, or will be stepping into
- the benefits or opportunities you expect to bring to your organisation or community through the programme
- the knowledge gaps or areas you would like to develop through the programme
- a brief biography outlining your career or development journey to date, or a link to your biography online
- the leadership challenge you would like to focus on for your coaching.
You cannot save and return to the EOI form, so we recommend preparing your responses before you begin.
The link to the EOI form will be available here from 10 August 2026.
Creative New Zealand staff will review all EOIs. If your EOI is shortlisted, we will notify you by 12 October 2026 and ask you to provide an endorsement from your organisation or community through a referee check.
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
Support making an application
If our systems are not accessible to you, you can speak to one of our advisers to find the best way for you to apply.
Please also contact us to discuss your accessibility requirements to ensure we can support your participation in the programme.
How decisions are made
Creative New Zealand staff assess applications and make the decisions. We take advice from other experts when required. When making decisions we aim to support a broad and diverse range of Aotearoa artists and practitioners.
For Ngā Toi Māori funding, our Māori staff contribute at all stages of the process.
For Pacific arts funding, our Pacific staff contribute at all stages of the process.
Who to talk to
Get in touch if you have questions or need support.
Email: funding@creativenz.govt.nz
Phone: 0800 CREATIVE (273 284) or +64 4 473 0880.