Creative Communities Scheme Awards 2025/2026 Round One

Seven Grey District community groups will bring their arts projects to life thanks to the latest round of the Creative Communities NZ Scheme – Te tono pūtea mō ngā manahau a te iwi kāinga.

At its meeting on Wednesday, 8 October, the Creative Communities Assessment Committee reviewed eight applications from across the district. Seven were successful, with a total of $11,673 awarded to support a wide variety of creative initiatives.

Committee Chair Andrew Ross said it was heartening to see such strong engagement.

“We were impressed by the quality and diversity of applications received,” he said. “This round really highlights the creativity and passion within our district, and we’re proud to support projects that will bring vibrancy and connection to our community.”

The Creative Communities Scheme supports projects that meet at least one of the following priorities:

• Access and participation – encouraging local communities to engage with and take part in the arts;
• Diversity – celebrating and supporting the unique cultural and artistic traditions of our people;
• Young people – enabling those under 18 to participate in creative experiences.

To be eligible, projects must take place within the Grey District, be completed within twelve months of funding approval, and cannot have already started.

"We’re looking forward to seeing these projects come to life and the way they’ll bring people together through creativity,” Mr Ross said.

The groups and projects that were awarded funding were:

For more information about the Creative Communities Scheme please visit: www.creativenz.govt.nz