The Creative Communities Scheme grants are funded through Creative New Zealand and support local, community based arts, cultural, and creative projects.
The Creative Communities Scheme Application Guide explains the criteria and application process in detail.
If you are thinking of applying for a grant, please contact Ara Toi Creative Advisers. They can answer your questions and help put you on the right grants path.
- Call: 03 477 4000
- Email: aratoi@dcc.govt.nz
- DM on Instagram: @aratoiotepoti
Application Deadlines
5.00pm on the last Friday of March (for projects starting after 31 May).
5.00pm on Sunday 28 September (for projects starting after 30 November).
Who can apply to CCS
Individuals or groups can apply. Individuals must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
To be eligible for CCS, your arts, cultural, or creative project must:
- take place within Dunedin
- benefit local communities in Dunedin
- not have started or finished before funding is approved
- be completed within 12 months of funding being approved
- not have already been funded through Creative New Zealand’s other arts funding programmes
- for March applications, projects must start after 31 May
- for September applications, projects must start after 30 November.
Funding criteria for CCS
CCS supports a wide range of arts, cultural, and creative projects. To be eligible for funding through CCS your project
must support at least one of the following:
- Access and participation: Create opportunities for local communities to engage with, and participate in local arts 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.
See the Creative Communities Scheme Application Guide for more detailed information about what can be supported.
CCS Dunedin gives priority to projects that contribute to the strategic themes of Ara Toi Ōtepoti.
How much are the grants?
The Dunedin City Council receives an annual allocation of $90,000 from Creative New Zealand to administer CCS Dunedin. While you can apply for any amount, typical awards are mostly under $2,000.
Creative Communities Scheme Application