Marlborough District Council / Creative New Zealand
Community arts grant supporting diverse arts participation and access projects in the Marlborough region, with two rounds per year.
The Marlborough Creative Communities Scheme distributes funding on behalf of Creative New Zealand to support local arts activities across the Marlborough district. The scheme exists to help communities create and present diverse opportunities for people to access and participate in the arts — whether that's within a specific geographic area or for a defined community of interest.
Grants are available in two rounds each financial year. For the 2026–27 year, Round 1 opens at 8am on 24 August 2026, with applications closing at 8am on 21 September 2026. Decisions are expected to be advised by 2 November 2026. A second round will be available early in 2027.
All applications must meet Creative New Zealand's criteria as outlined in the Creative Communities Scheme Application Guide. From September 2025 onwards, applications must also align with the pathways in Council's Te Atatū Arts, Culture & Creativity Strategy 2024–2034.
Grant recipients are required to complete a Creative Communities Scheme Project Completion Report to remain eligible for future funding. The completion report can be found on the Marlborough District Council online services page.
For more information or assistance with your application, contact Arts, Culture and Heritage Manager Nicola Neilson at nicola.neilson@marlborough.govt.nz or phone 03 520 7400.
