The Creative Communities Scheme (CCS)

⁠⁠⁠Every year, Creative New Zealand allocates CCS funding to local and district councils across New Zealand. Councils then distribute the funds in their respective areas, and this initiative supports over 1,800 projects annually.

Napier City Council collaborates with Creative New Zealand to offer financial assistance to groups, organisations, and individuals who contribute to the local creative community. The grants usually range from $500 to $2,500. There are two funding rounds per annum that open in January (for projects that start after 01 April) and August (for projects that start after 01 October).

For more information, please contact the Community Funding Advisor at csgrants@napier.govt.nz

Applications open 30 January 2026 and close 01 March 2026.

Do you have a community arts project, festival, or performance that needs financial help to make it happen? Whether you are an individual, or part of a group or organisation, if you have an idea that can add some creative zing to our city, we want to hear about it.

You are also able to apply to Hastings Creative Communities Scheme for your event/project, providing it involves Napier residents, and you request funding for different components of the project. Please complete the appropriate application forms if applying to both councils.

Please note the next application information sessions will be held in 2026.

We've moved our funding and grants applications to Smarty Grants.

Smarty Grants Login LandscapeSmarty Grants is an online portal that allows grant makers to track their progress and receive notifications on upcoming grant opportunities, ensuring that they are always up-to-date with the latest information. Smarty Grants simplifies the grant application process, providing organisations, groups and individuals with access to a wide range of funding opportunities. This means applicants will now need to create a Smarty Grants profile to apply for funding.

No hard copy applications will be accepted, and no late applications will be considered.

For more information on Smarty Grants and how to sign up, visit our Smarty Grants info page here.

What We Fund:

•  Any group, organisation or individual may apply, though individuals must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident. Your project must meet one or more of the following criteria:
•  Access and participation. The project will create opportunities for local communities to engage with and participate in arts activities.
•  Diversity. The project will support the diverse arts and cultural traditions of local communities, enriching and promoting their uniqueness and cultural diversity.
•  Young People. The project will enable and encourage young people (under 18 years) to engage with and actively participate in the arts.

What We Look For:

As well as the above criteria, these factors influence the committee's decision:

•  Quality of the project
•  Artistic merit
•  Impact on the local arts community
•  Your ability to make it happen
•  Good project planning and budgeting
•  Level of financial need
•  Viability of project where a project cannot be fully funded.

2022 - 2025 Napier City Council Local Funding Priorities

· The decision committee particularly encourages community art projects/events that are affordable and accessible to the community, and are:

•  New or expanded local projects;
•  Demonstrate youth development;
•  Promote Maori arts/culture, or
•  Celebrate cultural diversity

Applications should include the following:

•  A detailed budget of the whole project.
•  Quotes for the items you require funding for.
•  A project description, including dates, numbers of participants, and a programme of what you intend to achieve. If you are paying fees to artists or tutors, include a brief CV of who they are and their role in your project.
•  If you are applying as an individual, include information on your background, work, and things you may have done/been involved with in the past.
•  Groups or organisations must provide a copy of their latest financial statement. This can be a copy of the audited accounts, an income and expenditure/balance statement or a copy of the unaudited management accounts.