Creative Communities Festival Fund

About the Creative Communities Festival Fund

The CCS Festival Fund is a one-off funding boost from Government, to support established festivals that celebrate the life experiences, stories, cultures, and regional identities of New Zealanders, that continue to be impacted by the effects of COVID-19 in 2023. 

These funds are intended to help the sector adapt and thrive, while further improving access, equity, and arts participation for all. These funds are also intended to provide opportunities for the development of a resilient and sustainable arts sector. 

Process
Our Council will distribute the CCS Festival Funds through our annual Creative Communities Scheme funding rounds. You can apply using the CCS application form, ensuring you include the word festival in the title or project description. If you have any questions, please contact council’s Creative Communities Scheme Administrator by emailing governance.services@tcdc.govt.nz.

Eligibility
To apply, your festival must have been delivered at least once in the previous five years (this may include digital presentation). Please make sure you include evidence of previous delivery in your application.

A festival (for the purpose of this fund) involves an integrated programme of events and activities featuring one or more artforms, from any cultural tradition, that takes place within a defined area or region over a designated period of time.

Timeframe

CCS Festival Funds can support eligible festivals that are delivered within 12 months of the grant notification.   As this is a one-off fund, festival grants will only be distributed in rounds between August 2023 and May 2024. 

Eligible Costs

Festivals can apply for operational, commissioning, development, and presentation costs. There is no maximum amount a single festival can apply for, however most applications are under $2000.

Tips for a strong application

A strong application should demonstrate how your festival: 

• Celebrates the life experiences, stories, and cultures of New Zealanders
• Improves access, equity and participation in the arts
• Provides opportunities for the development of a resilient and sustainable arts sector

Note: All standard CCS guidelines and eligibility requirements also apply to this fund.