This week is the last chance to get applications in for Auckland’s Creative Communities Scheme funding for the 2021 winter season.

Mary Borok, Auckland Council Regional Funding Advisor, advises that due to the last two lockdowns, the decision was made to extend the deadline until 10pm, Sunday 14 March 2021.

“We want to provide as much opportunity as possible for small, arts-focused creative projects to apply for funding for the winter arts season.”

With Matariki falling in the middle of the winter season, this is also the final funding chance for any events or activities planned for this year’s festival.

“This is an awesome initiative, aimed at supporting our creatives and their communities with grants for anything ranging from venue hire, materials and marketing, production and project costs, right across Auckland,” says Mary Borok.

“If you have any projects for this year’s Matariki Festival that enable access and participation in arts-focused creative activities for communities, apply now.”

But the funding is not just for Matariki events and applications will be considered for anything across the whole of the winter season.

Project example

Code Switch was one of the successful recipients in the last funding round and is due to have its premiere opening at Māngere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku on 25 March, before touring around the region.

The production is a fusion, live theatre-cinema experience combining film, dance, live stage theatre, music and technology, and is written and performed by students from Aorere Film Academy. The story shares the experiences of Māori and Pasifika youth from Māngere and Papatoetoe with Aucklanders.

Their previous production was selected by Auckland Live for a season at The Herald Theatre and resulted in invitations to perform in Queenstown and Nelson. The grant from Creative Communities Scheme Auckland has gone towards venue hire, marketing and production costs, which is essential to bringing the new, original production to local audiences.

Producer Muzzafar Ali is working with Aorere Film Academy in a collaboration with several schools including Aorere College, Papatoetoe College, Otahuhu College. As the show tours, it invites collaboration with local schools to join the story.

Apply for funding

If you have an idea for a creative arts-focused project, Auckland Council and Creative New Zealand encourage you to apply before applications close on 30 August. Younger people (under 18) can also apply, with a signature from their guardian.

Whether you’re an artist, performer, cultural or community group, you can give your project new energy and visibility by applying for a Creative Communities Scheme grant. The creative teaching and learning can happen anywhere across the Auckland region – on beaches, in parks, community halls, theatres, streets and galleries.

Funded by Creative New Zealand and administered by Auckland Council, the Creative Communities Scheme encourages communities to make arts and culture an enriching part of everyday life for Aucklanders through art, music, dance, film-making, toi Māori, Pacific arts, weaving, writing, poetry and theatre.

There are several funding rounds each year. Apply for the current round of funding here.

More information

Learn how to create a winning application by making an appointment with the community funding advisor at Auckland Council.

Contact creative.communities@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to arrange a group or individual appointment.

More information:

• Creative Communities Scheme
• What happens after you receive CCS funding
• Eligibility for CCS funding
• Check what costs are supported
• CCS brochures and translations