Creative Communities Scheme Fund
Current Status
Closing dates for 2026-2027:
Round 1 - 3 August 2026
Round 2 - 2 November 2026
Round 3 - 1 February 2027
Round 4 – 3 May 2027
Creative Communities Scheme successful applicants for 2025-2026 are:
- Kaikoura Children’s Choir 2026
- Kaikoura Open Playreading Group
- Community Screening of ‘The Bones of our Past
- Inspiration Corner 2026
- Bus Shelter Mural
- Eye Level Photography Competition/Exhibition
- Wintersteller Photography Art Exhibition
- Douce Ambiance 2026
- Fyffe House 2026
- Humorous Arts Trust
- Youth Creative Arts
- Youth Production
A total of $19,132.27 was allocated towards these projects for the community.
About
Encourage, promote and support the arts in New Zealand
Each year Creative New Zealand provides funding to support all ethnicity and cultures within our Community.
The purpose of the Creative Communities Scheme Fund is to encourage, promote and support the arts in New Zealand.
If you are part of a group or an individual planning a performance, exhibition, festival, creative workshop or art project in the Kaikōura Community then this may be for you.
Creative New Zealand is a Crown entity governed by the Arts Council.
The council encourages, promotes and supports New Zealand arts to benefit all New Zealanders.
Contact:arlene@kaikoura.govt.nz or 027 566 3064 or 319 5026 ext 263
Important Application Guidance
All applicants must provide evidence demonstrating that they have researched a local need for the project with its intended audience, users and/or providers in our hapori. You do not need to do an excessive amount of research, but as a minimum we expect applicants to have spoken with our hapori to gain guidance and feedback on how your activity/project/event will benefit, be enjoyed or responded to in our community. Tell us who you spoke to and what feedback you received to support your application. For more information on funding criteria please see the download link below.
We welcome all applicants who can enrich our hapori with educational, entertainment, cultural or creative opportunities that our community would not otherwise have access to.
Funding Period: 1 August 2026 – 31 July 2027
We are currently awaiting confirmation from Creative New Zealand regarding the level of funding to be allocated to Kaikōura.
This website will be updated as soon as the funding amount is confirmed (expected August 2026).
Criteria
Projects applied for must meet one of the following criteria:
- Access and Participation: Create opportunities for local communities to engage with, and participate in local art activities.
- Diversity: Support the diverse artistic cultural traditions of local communities.
- Young People: Enable young people (under 18 years) to engage with, and participate in the arts.
Who can apply
- Individuals or organisations
- Individuals must be NZ citizens or permanent residents
- If you have already received funding from CCS for a project, you must complete a report on that project before making another application, unless the project is still in progress
Application form & Other Information
Approval process
It is recommended that you include material supporting your project application including quotes and/or prices lists to validate your budget.
