01 Sep 2026
Ahu Community Trust is supporting local arts and creative activity across Mid and South Canterbury, with a total contribution of $75,000 towards the Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) programmes delivered through the four District Councils in the region.
Formerly known as The Community Trust of Mid and South Canterbury, Ahu Community Trust has had a 38-year commitment to supporting communities across the region. The new and generous local arts contribution will help local councils support community-led arts projects across the four districts, giving artists, groups and organisations opportunities to bring creative ideas to life.
The Creative Communities Scheme supports local communities to access and participate in local performance and visual arts activities. Funding can support a wide range of community-led projects, from workshops and performances to exhibitions, festivals and other creative activities that enable people to take part in the arts.
Tim Barnett, Ahu Community Trust Chief Executive, says supporting local communities through strong partnerships is at the heart of the Trust’s work.
“We know that thriving communities are built through participation and opportunities for people to come together. Supporting local arts and creative activity is an important part of that, and we’re pleased to contribute to the Creative Communities Scheme across the four councils. The Scheme is efficient and locally controlled, a model of high-quality support for grassroots activity.”
Creative Communities Scheme Senior Adviser, Rebecca Kunin, believes partnerships like these grow funding for the arts, and enables more communities to engage with creativity in ways that are meaningful and locally relevant.
“The Creative Communities Scheme supports locally led arts activity that reflects the interests and needs of each community. We are thrilled by this very generous contribution from Ahu Community Trust, which enhances Creative New Zealand’s partnership with the councils in this region. Their contribution will support a wider range of projects and opportunities, enabling more people to take part in creative activities,” says Rebecca.
A thriving creative sector can generate activity beyond the arts, supporting local businesses and employment, attracting audiences and contributing to the wellbeing and liveability of the region. Continued investment can also give local artists and organisations greater scope to develop their work and contribute to the region’s creative economy.
For the Councils, partnerships between funders, councils and the creative sector provide a practical way to support this growth. This partnership helps maintain local arts activity and creates a base for further arts development across the region.
Chief Executive Tumu Whakarae Gretchen La Roche says the partnership with the Scheme and Ahu Community Trust is a strong example of what can be achieved when organisations work together to support creative opportunities.
“We know that strong, sustainable arts and creative activity is built through relationships and collaboration. Partnerships like this bring together different strengths, pathways and perspectives, creating opportunities for artists and communities closer to home.
We’re delighted with the support provided by Ahu Community Trust for the Creative Communities Scheme. This reflects the value and impact of having a trusted local organisation support creative activity, and we’re excited to see what this partnership enables.”