Christchurch Creative Communities Scheme

The Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) is a nationally administered fund delivered locally by the Christchurch City Council. It supports communities across Ōtautahi Christchurch and Te Pātaka-o-Rākaihautū Banks Peninsula to get involved in arts activities that are meaningful to them.

Applications are assessed by a local committee of people with knowledge and experience in the arts, using both Creative New Zealand's national criteria and Christchurch's own local priorities.

Who can apply

Individuals (who must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents) and groups are both welcome. Projects must take place within the Christchurch city or district, be completed within 12 months of funding approval, and must not have started before funding is confirmed.

Funding limit

You can request up to $6,000 per funding round. Your total project budget can exceed this, but CCS will only contribute up to $6,000.

Supported art forms

Craft and object arts, Dance, Inter-arts, Literature, Māori arts, Multi-art form (including film), Music, Pacific arts, Theatre, and Visual arts.

Local priorities (Christchurch criteria)

• Ngā Toi Māori – Projects that make Māori culture visible and celebrated in the community.
• Audacious – Experimental, non-commercial projects that take artistic risks.
• Inclusive – Projects that uplift underrepresented artistic traditions and communities.
• Empowering – Projects generated by Christchurch and Banks Peninsula-based artists.
• Collaborative – Projects that increase community participation and build inter-community partnerships.

Creative New Zealand national criteria

Your project must address at least one of

• Participation – Creating opportunities for communities to engage in local arts activities (e.g. performances, workshops, exhibitions, festivals, residencies).
• Diversity – Supporting diverse cultural traditions, including Māori, Pasifika, migrant communities, or groups with experience of disability or mental illness.
• Young people – Enabling people under 18 to engage with and participate in the arts.

What can be funded

Materials, venue and equipment hire, personnel and admin costs for short-term projects, and promotion and publicity.

What cannot be funded

Equipment purchases (cameras, instruments, costumes, etc.), ongoing admin costs, travel to other areas, fundraising activities, school curriculum projects, prize money, royalties, or debt.

Important reminders

• Include accurate quotes for all goods and services — applications without these may not be considered.
• Declare all possible income including box office estimates, sponsorships, and in-kind contributions.
• If you've received CCS funding previously, you must complete a report on that project before applying again (unless it's still in progress).
• Successful recipients must acknowledge CCS support in promotional materials using the official logo, and verbally at event openings.

For assistance, contact a Community Funding Adviser or email creativecommunities@ccc.govt.nz.