Development Fund for Artists and Practitioners

The Development Fund for Artists and Practitioners offers grants of up to $5,000 to help individual artists, practitioners, or groups of collaborators grow their skills and advance their careers through professional and creative development activities.

This fund is open to New Zealand citizens or Permanent Residents working across any artform. You can apply as an individual or as a group of collaborators working together on a shared development goal.

What can be funded:

• Research, training, coaching, or mentoring
• Attending workshops, conferences, wānanga, or talanoa — locally or internationally
• Capital items that are necessary for your development and provide long-term benefit

Note: this fund is not for making new work or creative projects. If you're looking to create new work, consider the Creative Fellowship Fund or the Early Career Fund instead.

Accessibility support: If you identify as Deaf or disabled, or experience an impairment, you can claim an additional accessibility payment on top of your grant to cover related costs during the funded period.

How to apply: Applications are submitted through the CNZ Portal. You'll need to answer four questions about what development activity you want to do, why it matters now, what benefits you expect, and where it might lead. No budget is required at application stage — if successful, you'll be asked to provide one when the grant is offered.

Applications are assessed by Creative New Zealand staff, with dedicated assessment for Ngā toi Māori and Pacific arts funding pools. Decisions are made by CNZ staff and reviewed by the Senior Leadership team, with a focus on funding a diverse range of artists and practitioners aligned with CNZ's strategic goals.

The next round opens 27 July 2026 and closes 27 August 2026 at 1:00pm (NZ time), for activities taking place from 28 October 2026.