Funding is available for community-based arts activities in the Selwyn District from the Creative Communities Scheme (CCS).

The aim of the Scheme is to increase participation in the arts at a local level, and increase the range and diversity of arts available to communities.

The Scheme is a partnership between Creative New Zealand and the 74 local authorities.  Each local authority take responsibility for delivery of the Scheme in its area.

Local decision-making is the key to the Scheme and applications are considered by local assessment committees.  All New Zealanders are eligible to apply.

Please note, Groups or organisations must provide a copy of their latest financial statement with their application.

Fund Closing Dates

The Creative Communities Scheme Fund has three funding rounds each year, with application closing dates listed below.

Applications that are submitted after the closing dates listed above will not be considered for the current funding round.

Late applications will instead be carried forward and reviewed during the next funding round. For example, an application received on 1 November will be considered after the 31 January closing date.

Decisions will be made within two months of the funding round closing date.

Please note: The C213 Community Funding Policy applies to applications. Retrospective costs (expenses for initiatives completed before the funding round closes) cannot be funded.

How to Apply

Please apply via our website here.

Prior to applying, please ensure you have all the documentation required:

• full budget showing income and expenses for the project - you can find a Budget Template here: CCS Application Form - Budget Template.docx
• proof of the bank account (any one of these: a deposit slip, a letter from the bank, or a bank statement showing
  the bank account number).
• copy of your organisation’s annual budget and/or your latest audited accounts.
• documents or quotes that may support your application (if any)

Criteria

All eligibility criteria can be found in the Guide for Applicants [PDF, 1822 KB]

To be eligible for funding through CCS your arts project must:

• take place within the city or district where the application is made
• be completed within 12 months of funding being approved
• not have started or finished before CCS funding is approved

What types of projects can't get CCS funding

You cannot apply for CCS funding for:

• projects without an arts focus eg, puzzles, upholstery, magic, model-making, commercial design, commercial fashion, design, film festivals, fitness-based dance (such as aerobics or gymnastics or martial arts (such as tai chi or karate)
• projects within the scope of other sectors or organisations eg, arts projects in schools or other educational institutions that are the core business of that institution or are normally funded through curriculum or operating budgets
• projects that mainly deliver outcomes for other sectors, such as health, heritage, or the environment
• local council projects
• fundraising activities eg, benefit concerts to raise funds to buy a capital item or to pay for another activity
• projects to develop facilities eg, galleries, marae, theatres, and other venues, including the costs of fixed items, whiteware, floor coverings, furnishings, gallery and theatre lights, stage curtains or building restoration.
• CCS funding is available for new artworks as part of marae projects such as tukutuku, whakairo, whāriki and kōwhaiwhai. Applications for funding for marae facilities or restoration projects should be made to the Oranga Marae fund which is administered by Te Puni Kōkiri and the Department of Internal Affairs.

What costs can I get support for

You can apply for support for:

• materials for arts activities or programmes
• venue or equipment hire
• personnel and administrative costs for short-term projects
• promotion and publicity of arts activities
• reasonable requests to provide food for artists, participants, and audiences for community arts activities.

What costs cannot be supported

CCS does not fund:

• ongoing administration or personnel costs that are not related to the specific project
• costs for projects already started or completed
• travel costs to attend performances or exhibitions in other areas
• buying equipment, such as computers, cameras, musical instruments, costumes, lights or uniforms
• entry fees for competitions, contests and exams
• prize money, awards and judges’ fees for competitions
• royalties
• the purchase of artworks for collections
• the costs of running fundraising activity
• debt or interest on debt.

Please complete the Project Completion Form on our website here.

This Report is due as soon as the funds are spent, or within one calendar year of receipt of the grant, whether allocated funds were spent or not.

Please ensure you have all necessary information and documentation ready before you begin:

• CSS Project Completion Report Budget Template [DOCX, 39 KB]

For information on the Scheme, please contact: funding@selwyn.govt.nz