Creative Communities Scheme (CCS)

Participation

Create opportunities for local communities to engage with, and participate in local arts activities, for example:

• Performances by community choirs, hip-hop groups, theatre companies, musicians or poets
• Workshops on printmaking, writing or dancing
• Creation of new tukutuku, whakairo or kowhaiwhai for a local marae
• Exhibitions by local craft groups promoting weaving, pottery and carving
• Festivals featuring local artists
• Creation of a community film or a public artwork by a community
• Artist residencies involving local artists or communities
• Seminars for local artist development

Diversity

Support the diverse artistic cultural traditions of local communities, for example:

• Workshops, rehearsals, performances, festivals or exhibitions in Māori or Pasifika heritage or contemporary art forms
• Workshops, rehearsals, performances, festivals or exhibitions by local migrant communities
• Arts projects bringing together groups from a range of different communities
• Workshops, rehearsals, performances, festivals or exhibitions by groups with experience of disability or mental illness

Young people

Enable young people (under 18 years) to engage with, and participate in the arts, for example:

• A group of young people working with an artist to create a mural or street art
• A group of young people creating a film about an issue that is important to them
• Printing a collection of writing by young people
• Music workshops for young people
• An exhibition of visual art work by young people

Your project must also:

• Take place within the city or district where the application is made
• Be completed within 12 months of funding being approved
• Benefit local communities
• Not have started or finished before CCS funding is approved
• Not have already been funded through Creative New Zealand’s other arts funding programmes

You can be an individual or a group. Individuals must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.

If you have already received CCS funding for a project, you must complete a report on that project before making another application, unless the project is still in progress.

What costs can I get funding for?

• Materials for arts activities or programmes
• Venue or equipment hire
• Personnel and administrative costs for short-term projects
• Promotion and publicity of arts activities

How much can I apply for?

There is no limit to how much you can apply for, but most CCS grants are under $2,000.

Look at previously funded projects on your council website to get an idea of what sort of projects have been supported in the past and the average amount granted.

How often can I apply and how are decisions made?

Local councils have up to four application rounds per year. Your application will go to an assessment committee of people from your area. They are appointed for their knowledge and experience of the arts and local communities. 

What types of projects can’t get CCS funding?

• Fundraising activities
• Developing galleries, marae, theatres or other venues or facilities
• Local council projects
• Projects which are mainly focused around other areas e.g. health, education or the environment and that only have a very small arts component
• Arts projects in schools or other education institutions that are the core business of that institution or that are normally funded through curriculum or operating budgets

What costs cannot be funded?

• Ongoing administration or personnel costs that are not related to the specific project
• Costs for projects already started or completed
• Travel costs to attend performances or exhibitions in other areas
• Buying equipment, such as computers, cameras, musical instruments, costumes, lights or uniforms
• Entry fees for competitions, contests and exams
• Prize money, awards and judges’ fees for competitions
• Royalties
• Buying artworks for collections
• Debt or interest on debt

Search 'Creative Communities Scheme' on your council website for:

• An application form
• An application guide
• Closing dates

You can also call your local council and ask to speak to the Creative Communities Scheme administrator for advice on how to apply.

Creative Communities Scheme administrator list and contact details (pdf 138KB)

Check your Territorial local authority boundaries (pdf 337KB)

If your project receives CCS funding, you must acknowledge the assistance of the scheme on any promotional material, using the local CCS logo. See the CCS logos and guidelines

CCS Administrators

If you are a CCS administrator, contact:

ccsadmin@creativenz.govt.nz
Ph: (09) 373 3066