Funding
opportunities
in the Waikato
We offer advice and support to creatives seeking project funding.
Creative
Communities
Scheme
Looking for cash to bring your creative project to life?
Each year Creative New Zealand provides funding to city and district councils for distribution in their area. The Creative Communities Scheme aims to increase participation in the arts, broaden the range and diversity of the arts available to communities and enhance and strengthen the local arts sector.
For all you need to know about the scheme, check out the Application Guide.
Apply through the links below.
Need some advice about your application?
Kirikiriroa/
Hamilton City
CCS Fund
We administer Hamilton’s Creative Communities Scheme funding on behalf of Hamilton City Council.
There are two funding rounds per year, in February and August.
FEBRUARY 2023
16 January 2023
Applications open at 9am
24 February 2023
Applications close at 5pm
12 April 2023
Earliest starting date for your project
AUGUST 2023
18 July 2023
Applications open at 9am
31 August 2023
Applications close at 5pm
18 October 2023
Earliest starting date for your project
How to
Apply
Apply to the Hamilton Creative Communities Scheme through the council’s online funding portal.
Frequently asked
questions
When does the next funding round open?
Our next two funding round dates are:
- Opening Monday 16 January 2023. Closing 5pm, Friday 24 February 2023.
- Opening Tuesday 18 July 2023. Closing 5pm, Friday 31 August 2023.
Who can apply for funding?
Individuals or groups can apply for CCS funding and must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
Do I need to be a Hamilton resident to apply?
Does my group need to be based in Hamilton?
Not at all. We welcome applicants from all around Aotearoa — the arts project or event just needs to be held in Hamilton.
What kind of projects do you fund?
The project needs to have creative outcomes. We are looking for projects where people can directly participate in or experience creative activity.
We fund all sorts of projects from a wide range of art forms — everything from murals and music workshops to film festivals and pottery exhibitions.
What sort of projects don’t you fund?
You cannot apply for CCS funding for:
- Projects without an arts focus
- Projects within the scope of other sectors or organisations
- Projects that mainly deliver outcomes for other sectors
- Projects to develop facilities.
Check out the Creative Communities Scheme Application Guide for more information.
What costs can I get funding for?
You can get money for:
- Materials for arts activities or programmes
- Venue or equipment hire
- Personnel and administrative costs for short-term projects
- Promotion and publicity of arts activities.
It is important to us that the people delivering the creative activity are appropriately paid for their time and expertise.
What costs cannot get funding?
You cannot get money for:
- Ongoing administration or personnel costs that are not related to the specific project
- Costs for projects already started or completed
- Travel costs to attend performances or exhibitions in other areas
- Buying equipment, such as computers, cameras, musical instruments, costumes, lights or uniforms
- Entry fees for competitions, contests and exams
- Prize money, awards and judges’ fees for competitions
- Royalties
- The purchase of artworks for collections
- The costs of running fundraising activity
- Debt or interest on debt
How much money can I apply for?
There is no limit to how much you can apply for. The average Hamilton CCS grant is around $2000, and a larger grant is around $5000.
How are funding decisions made?
Your application will go to an assessment committee made up of Kirikiriroa locals with knowledge and experience of our local creative sector.
When do we receive the funds if the application is successful?
If your application is successful, you will receive your funds as soon as possible after we have notified you, providing you have supplied your bank details. If you are GST registered, we’ll pay you once you’ve emailed through your tax invoice
How many times can we apply for funding a year?
We have two funding rounds each year — in February and August. You can make as many applications as you like as long as each application is for a different project. If you have already received funding from CCS for a project, you must complete your report on that project before submitting another application, unless the project is still in progress.
Who has received CCS funding in the past?
Check out past successful applicants from our February 2021 and August 2021 funding rounds.
Do you have any tips for my application?
If you are applying for the first time, it’s a great idea to chat about your project with us before you put your application together.
Other funding
Other organisations offering grants and support to creative projects, people and groups.
Local Funding
Waikato Community
Funders Group
Learn more about funding opportunities around the Waikato region
National Funding
Creative New Zealand
National funding opportunities for emerging and established artists, art practitioners, groups and organisations
Ministry of Culture and Heritage
National funding opportunities for emerging and established artists, art practitioners, groups and organisations
