Frequently asked questions

Click on the question to display the answer.

1. What are the criteria?

   Projects must meet one or more of the following funding criteria:

   Broad community involvement - The project will create opportunities for local communities to engage with and participate in arts activities.

   Diversity - The project will support the diverse arts and cultural traditions of local communities, enriching and promoting their uniqueness and cultural diversity.

   Young people - The project will enable and encourage young people (under 18 years) to engage with and actively participate in the arts.

2. Can I get funding for my project?

   The project must:

   • have an arts or creative cultural focus
   • meet one or more of the three funding criteria
   • be completed within 12 months after funding is approved
   • benefit local communities
   • take place within the city or district where the application is made, or benefit local communities within that city or district
   • not have started before funding is approved
   • not have already been funded through Creative New Zealand's contestable funding programme for the same purpose; and
   • not have already been funded through Creative New Zealand's multi-year funding programme.

   This could include:

   • exhibitions, productions, concerts, festivals, workshops and presentations that offer opportunities for community involvement in the arts
   • activities that support the traditions and arts of ethnic communities
   • youth arts events
   • artist-led projects involving local communities
   • materials for arts activities or programmes
   • personnel costs for one-off, short-term projects
   • promotion and publicity of arts activities to communities.

   Dance, performance, visual arts, music, arts education, toi Maori, literary workshops, digital storytelling, and many other opportunities for creative participation can be supported.

3. What can't be funded?
   • activities that are not arts-focused
   • activities that are the direct responsibility of schools or other education institutions
   • ongoing administration costs not related to a specific project
   • projects that are the core business of an organisation or service provider
   • retrospective project costs (for projects already started or completed)
   • catering costs of an event
   • fundraising activities
   • travel for individuals or groups to attend events, presentations or shows
   • developing facilities, such as gallery and theatre lights, stage curtains or building restoration
   • buying capital items, such as computers, cameras, musical instruments, costumes or uniforms.
4. When does my project need to start?

   All applicants to the August funding round will be advised prior to 31 October every year, so projects will need to start after that date.

   All applicants to the February funding round will be advised prior to 30 April every year, so projects will need to start after that date.

5. Who can apply?

   An application can be from an individual or from a group.

   Individual applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.

   If you've previously received funding under the Creative Communities Scheme, either as an individual or as a member of a group, you must have completed a project report for the earlier project before any further applications from you will be considered.

6. How much can I apply for?

   We would usually expect individual grants to be between $500 and $10,000. While the Creative Communities round does not have fixed limits per grant, it is worth bearing in mind that across North, South, Central, West and Auckland-wide funding, there is approximately $500,000 available for distribution.

7. How do I know what area I'm in?

   Use the "Find your local board" search tool (top right) and then use the table to find your funding location.

8. Who assesses my application?

   Assessment Committees are made up of up to two Local Board members, Iwi representation, Community Arts Council representatives, and community representatives.

9. When will I find out if my funding application is successful or not?

   All applicants (correct spelling) to the February funding round will be advised if they are successful or not prior to 30 April every year.

   All applicants to the August funding round will be advised if they are successful or not prior to 31 October every year.

10. Where can I find out more?

    The Guide for Applicants is a great starting place. If you still have questions, please come to our information sessions. These will be followed by application writing workshops.

11. I've been funded - what logos do I need to use on my promotions?

    You need to use Auckland Council's Creative Communities logo. You can download these from the Creative New Zealand website.
    Note: please use the black and white "Auckland Council" logo.

12. I've been funded and I need to send in a report - what do I do?

    A Project Report Form will be sent to you with a letter notifying you that your application has been successful. If you have misplaced this form contact your local funding co-ordinator for a further copy.

13. None of these answer my question - who can I contact?

    Central: email Barbara Procter on barbara.procter@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

    North: email Mary Borok on mary.borok@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

    South: email Jenny Young on jenny.young@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

    West: email Julie Nash on julie.nash@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

back to top