If you have a great community arts and culture event in mind and need some financial support to realise your idea, the Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) may be able to assist you.
Creative Communities Scheme application update
Applications for the Creative Communities Scheme are invited for submission on 3 February 2025 until 27 February 2025.
This will be the second and final round for the current financial year.
The Creative Communities Scheme aims to increase participation from the local community in the arts sector, support the diversity of local cultural traditions, and to encourage and engage young people to participate in local arts. ‘Arts’ is broadly defined to mean all forms of creative and interpretative expression.
The Creative Communities Scheme is a partnership between Creative New Zealand (the national arts development agency) and local councils in New Zealand. The scheme promotes community involvement, diversity and young people participating in the arts and supports around 1800 projects a year.
Application information
Application criteria
Applications must meet at least one of the three criteria below:
- Access and participation – 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 and actively participate in the arts.
How much can I apply for?
There is no limit to how much you can apply for, however the majority of grants are between $2,000 - $4,000+GST.
When can I apply?
Applications open at 9am Monday, 3 February 2025 and close at 11.59pm Thursday, 27 February 2025.
Apply now
Who do I contact to discuss my application?
There are several options. You can contact Tauranga City Council's team at grants.enquiries@tauranga.govt.nz. Alternatively, you can contact the team at Creative Bay of Plenty (CBOP) for independent advice. CBOP can provide funding advice, as well as having excellent knowledge of what makes a successful application.
How to apply
Applications to the Creative Communities Scheme are administered through an online application service, powered by SmartyGrants. The Creative Communities Scheme application guide can also be downloaded. It features an example application.
Before applying, make sure to read the 'Supporting information' below.
When you're ready, click on the 'Apply now' button to start drafting your application. You can save your application as a draft as you progress (you don't need to complete it all in one go).
Creative Communities Scheme application guide (1.8mb pdf)
Applications open at 9am Monday, 3 February 2025 and close at 11.59pm Thursday, 27 February 2025.
Apply now
Supporting information
The Tauranga area for funding is defined the same way as the electoral boundary for Tauranga.
No, you don’t need to provide supplier quotes with your application, although our panel find them helpful in understanding your application and as a demonstration that you have done accurate research. You will need to provide a high-level budget and you may need to upload a secondary document to support this if you are an organisation or group. You are strongly advised to add images of other events you’ve created, and any statements of support from project partners.
All applications are assessed by a volunteer panel, comprised of local arts practitioners and people with experience in working with community organisations. The Tauranga City Council Community Arts Advisor represents the Council on the panel.
After an initial assessment, there is an opportunity for applicants to present to the funding panel in person. If you would like to do this, you can indicate this on the application form.
If your application is successful, we will email you to confirm your grant.
If your application is unsuccessful, you will be advised of the outcome, along with reasoning why this decision was made. Please note that the Creative Communities Scheme is a contestable funding process, and demand often exceeds the funds available.
Funding decisions will be advised to applicants usually within four weeks of the application closing date.