Nelson City Creative Communities Scheme

Apply for financial assistance to support a creative project in Nelson City, that benefits the community.

There are three funding rounds each year. Groups or individuals can apply to fund projects that meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Broad Community Involvement - 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.

• Young People - The project will enable and encourage young people (under 18) to participate and engage in the arts.

Grants are usually allocated up to $1,500, although projects requiring greater assistance will be considered.

Arts Council Nelson administers the Nelson City Creative Communities Scheme on behalf of Creative New Zealand and Nelson City Council.

Please note that there is a separate scheme for projects planned to take place in the Tasman region - follow this link for details…

Important News for 2026/2027

Project Underwriting / Guarantee Against Loss [GAL].

Creative NZ has granted permission for the Nelson City Creative Communities Scheme to pilot the offering of underwriting projects during the 2026/2027 financial year. Normal funding criteria applies to all applications.

Grants will continue to be awarded to most project applications as normal.

A GAL is intended to provide confidence for project providers to progress initiatives even where there is a potential risk of not meeting the required income and possibly facing a loss which they are unable to afford.

As of the July 2026 funding round, Grant Assessors may offer a GAL to proposed projects they consider may meet required costs through other additionally submitted applications pending advice from external funding bodies and/or projects which appear likely to break even financially or potentially show a profit through ticket sales or other income fees / contributions.

GAL’s will be capped to a set amount at Assessor’s discretion.

In certain instances where funds are required up-front to progress the project, Assessors may offer financial assistance by means of both a partial grant and a GAL.

How does this work.

Applicants complete and submit an application using the same form as for grants. Assessor’s decisions will be based on the same funding criteria as all CCS allocations and their decision whether to offer a grant or GAL (or possibly both) is full and final.

If this offer is accepted by the applicant, the project would go ahead and the applicant would provide the CCS Administrator with a report on the project’s completion, including a detailed financial result. Should a loss of any size (up to the capped amount) be incurred this would then be paid to the applicant from CCS funds.

Where a project breaks even or makes a profit the GAL would be nullified and the unutilized funds would return to the funding pool for the following round.

The CCS administrator shall provide applicants written advice explaining the rationale for the offer of a GAL in lieu of a grant where appropriate.

Do not hesitate to contact Lloyd Harwood the Nelson City CCS Administrator if you have any questions regarding GAL’s, making an application or any other aspect of the scheme.