Creative Waikato / Hamilton City Council
Community arts grants of typically under $5,000 NZD for local arts projects focused on access, diversity, or young people.
Creative Waikato administers the Hamilton City Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) on behalf of Hamilton City Council, distributing Creative New Zealand funding to support community arts projects in Kirikiriroa Hamilton.
This fund runs twice yearly — in February and August — and is open to individuals and groups who are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. You don't need to be based in Hamilton; your project or event just needs to take place there.
What gets funded:
Projects where people can directly participate in or experience creative activity. This includes murals, music workshops, film festivals, pottery exhibitions, and much more — across all art forms.
Eligible costs include:
It's important to the fund that people delivering creative activity are appropriately paid for their time and expertise.
What isn't funded:
Projects without an arts focus, ongoing administration costs, travel to events in other areas, equipment purchases (cameras, instruments, costumes, etc.), competition prize money or entry fees, royalties, artwork acquisitions, fundraising costs, or debt repayment.
2026 Round Dates:
Applications are assessed by an independent committee of Kirikiriroa locals with knowledge of the local creative sector. There is no cap on how much you can apply for, and you can apply for multiple projects in each round — though any previously funded project must be reported on before a new application is submitted (unless the project is still in progress).
If this is your first time applying, Creative Waikato strongly encourages you to get in touch before applying so they can help you put your best application forward.
