Creative Communities Scheme

The Creative Communities Scheme (CCS) is a community arts fund administered by Wellington City Council on behalf of Creative New Zealand, with around 70% of its income coming from New Zealand Lottery proceeds.

This fund supports local arts projects that meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Participation – creating opportunities for local communities to engage with and participate in arts activities
• Diversity – supporting the diverse artistic and cultural traditions of local communities
• Young people – enabling and encouraging people under 18 to engage with and participate in the arts

Eligibility

Projects must take place within the Wellington city rate-paying area (which includes Tawa, but not Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, or Porirua). Projects already receiving Creative New Zealand funding through other CNZ funds are not eligible — contact a Community Funding Advisor if you plan to apply to both CCS and another CNZ fund simultaneously.

How to apply

Applications are submitted through the Wellington City Council Funding Portal. First-time applicants will need to register before applying. The decision date for the 2026 round is 7 October 2026.

For full guidance on eligibility and what makes a strong application, refer to the Creative Communities Scheme Application Guide available on the Wellington City Council website.