Creative Communities Scheme — Ōtautahi

Local arts projects that enable community participation and reflect local arts priorities.

Closes

Two rounds a year. Round 1 closed 21 August 2026 — check the council page for the next

Who can apply

Individuals or groups. Individuals must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. The project must take place in Christchurch city or district, benefit local communities, finish within 12 months of approval, and not have started before funding is approved.

Amount

Up to $6,000 per round. The wider project budget can be larger

Funding route

Grant

Applicants

Individuals & whānau, Marae & hapū, Iwi & Māori organisations, Organisations & providers, Community groups

Before you apply

Ngā Toi Māori is the first of the five local criteria — the committee says it will cultivate opportunities to develop and present ngā toi Māori and will prioritise projects that make Māori culture visible and celebrated. Developing new tukutuku, whakairo or kōwhaiwhai for a local marae is named as a fundable example. Developing the marae itself as a venue or facility is not — that goes to Lottery Funding for Community Facilities, which replaced Oranga Marae on 1 July 2026. The $6,000 cap per round is recent and easy to miss. Applications need accurate quotes for every cost or they may not be considered, and all income must be declared including estimated box office and in-kind donations. A report on any earlier CCS project must be filed before applying again. Contact creativecommunities@ccc.govt.nz.

Official source →

Checked 16 September 2026

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Details change without notice. Check the funder's own page before you apply. Tōku Waka does not administer, assess or award this funding.