Creative Communities Scheme (national)

Local arts funding delivered through every city and district council in the country. Creative New Zealand provides the pūtea, councils distribute it, and each sets its own rounds and closing dates. Supports more than 1,800 projects a year.

AotearoaToiAhureaHaporiMātauranga

Closes: Up to four rounds a year, set by each council — check your local council for dates
Who can apply: Individuals who are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents, and New Zealand-based groups, arts organisations, schools, clubs and cultural groups. Apply to the council for the district where the project will happen, not to Creative New Zealand. Assessed by a local committee appointed for their knowledge of the arts and the community.
Amount: Set locally by each council. Creative New Zealand funds more than 1,800 projects a year; most individual CCS grants are under $5,000
Funding route: Grant
Applicants: Individuals & whānau, Marae & hapū, Community groups, Iwi & Māori organisations

Before you apply

CCS funds new artworks as part of marae projects such as tukutuku, whakairo, whāriki and kōwhaiwhai. It does not fund marae facility development or restoration — that goes to Lottery Funding for Community Facilities, which replaced Oranga Marae on 1 July 2026. Councils that are not yet listed individually here still run the scheme — ring your council and ask for the Creative Communities Scheme manager.

Official source →

Checked 16 September 2026

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Before you apply

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