Creative New Zealand announces extra festival funding recipients

02 Aug 2023

The first tranche of festival funding has been announced today by Creative New Zealand, with $2.2 million going to festivals around the country.

Earlier this year the Government set aside ten million dollars for a one-off contribution towards arts festivals across the motu. The money is being allocated/dispersed through a number of initiatives including two Festival Grants rounds, a $1.2 million contribution to the Creative Communities Scheme for smaller, regional and community festivals, as well as dedicated support for Māori and Pacific festivals and a Commissioning and Presentation Fund which are under development.

Increasing access, inclusion and participation is the driver behind the one-off support for the sector and is in recognition of the lengthy impact Covid-19 has had on the sector. 

Senior Manager, Arts Development, Gretchen La Roche says it’s been great to see a wide range of festivals supported.

“There is an incredible and ever-growing number of outstanding festivals taking place across the country.  From Gore to the Far North, these organisations play an important part in providing ways for New Zealanders to see themselves, their stories and their communities reflected through the arts, cultural and creative expressions.”

35 festivals have been supported through this funding, including The New Zealand international Comedy Festival, the Marlborough Book Festival, Whakatāne’s Summer Arts Festival, the Disabled Artist’s Festival of Theatre, Ōtautahi’s Off Centre Festival and Auckland’s Pride Festival.

The second round will open for festival grants in September and is once again open to established festivals that have been presented at least once in the past five years.

You can see all the funding recipients here

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