The Creative Communities Scheme is a partnership between Whanganui District Council and Creative New Zealand to promote local arts projects.
Performing Arts Festival 2026 by Whanganui Performing Arts
Flowers for Palestine
Flowers for Palestine collaborative embroidery project organised by Renata Szarvas
Music wānanaga by the Community Led Development Trust
River City Filipino Club 2023 cultural performance
Everybody is a Treasure Trust
Photography workshop at the library
To the Front Adult Rock Camp 2026 by Girls Rock Aotearoa
Application dates
Open: Monday, 1 February 2027
Close: Friday, 5 March 2027
For projects that take place between 3 April 2027 and 3 April 2028
Application process
Crafting your project
When project planning, we recommend reading the Creative Communities application guide(PDF, 2MB). It contains helpful information that is important to consider such as eligibility criteria and details to include in your application. Download a low ink/printer-friendly version of the guide here(PDF, 156KB)
It is preferred you discuss your project plans with the community activator before submitting your application. They can answer any questions you may have, as well as offer advice on how to best frame your ideas on paper, and what additional supporting material is required.
Information is also available in a range of languages below.
- Chinese Traditional(PDF, 1MB)
- English(PDF, 1MB)
- Fijian(PDF, 976KB)
- Hindi(PDF, 1021KB)
- Korean(PDF, 1MB)
- Te Reo Māori(PDF, 962KB)
- Niuean(PDF, 976KB)
- Samoan(PDF, 993KB)
- Tokelauan(PDF, 978KB)
- Tongan(PDF, 1MB)
- Tuvaluan(PDF, 975KB)
How to apply
All applications must use the official form. This will be available a month out from the funding round opening.
You can submit your completed application form in one of the following ways:
- email – send it to the community activator
- post – mail it to:
Attn: Community Activator
Whanganui District Council, PO Box 637, Whanganui 4541
- online – start, save, and submit your application form and supporting material online
For further information on this fund, email the community activator
Recent grant recipients
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AMDRAM Musical Theatre Whanganui
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$1420 for Best of Bard Play
An event that celebrates the enduring magic of Shakespeare through a lively collection of scenes, speeches, songs, and sonnets in both English and Te Reo Māori.
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Brass Whanganui
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$1400 for Sound Canvas 2026
For a locally produced, vibrant music video with band performing the song "Walking Down the Street" and featuring Whanganui town.
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Girls Rock Aotearoa Inc
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$1500 for To The Front Adult Rock Camp
A 3-day programme for women and gender minorities to access music and build skills in the creative and performing arts.
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Katie Brown
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$3103 for The Shape of Memory
A large-scale installation of hand-blown glass plates exploring personal history, memory, line, form and light to be delivered as part of ‘Ināianei | Current’ at Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery.
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Performing Arts Community Trust
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$2335 for Taonga Pūoro and Piano concert of Aotearoa music
A touring show of contemporary New Zealand composers, weaving classical piano music and ancient taongo pūoro sound worlds, to create a beautiful and entrancing experience for music audiences of all.
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River City Filipino Club
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$1500 for Cultural Dance Program
A cultural dance programme for children aged 8–12 to learn the traditional Filipino dance; Itik-Itik. Through regular rehearsals and two public performances, participants will develop confidence, teamwork, and cultural pride while sharing Filipino heritage with the wider Whanganui community.
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Stephanie Murray
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$1900 for Te Riu o te Whenua – The Valley of the Land Colouring Book
For the development and publication of a prototype book which features Māori visual concepts such as Kowhaiwhai, Koruru, Moko, and a reclamation of identity.
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Tai o Rehua
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$2066 for Revival of Tārai Waka Wānanga
A three-day tārai waka wānanga in Whanganui led by a tohunga whakairo from Te Tai Tokerau. Participants will learn foundational waka carving, tikanga and mātauranga Māori while reconnecting with the Whanganui awa and helping revitalise a cultural practice that has largely disappeared from our region.
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Te Puna Hāpai
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$2399.83 for Rangatira te Tū
Supports rangatahi to engage in a series of toi hangarau wānanga (digital arts workshops). These wānanga provide Māori cultural awareness specific to the region. This phase of the program will look at designing digital icons aligned to Tuakiritanga (cultural identity) in preparation for 3D printing of a taonga pūoro (Māori wind instrument).
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Lotus Indian Group Whanganui
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$950 for Diwali Festival of Light Celebration 2026
A free Whanganui Diwali arts celebration showcasing Indian dance, music, costume and storytelling, with selected youth performances from other cultures.
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Bethany Coleman
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$1600 for The Savage Club – Live recording
A Tiny Desk-style live recording of local original music by The Savage Club at the Whanganui Musician's Club.
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Luther Ashford
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$2000 for Kiitahi Toi Whakaaturanga Tuatahi
An exhibition of new contemporary Māori artworks by a collective exhibition of Whanganui Māori artists. The exhibition brings together traditional and contemporary practices, celebrates Māori identity, and encourages future generations of Māori artists.
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Whanganui Performing Arts
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$500 for PerformAble
A series of classes for students with disabilities, in drama, song and movement.
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Whanganui Zinefest
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$1604.55 for Whanganui Zinefest 2027
The event celebrates zines, DIY print culture and creative expression for families, emerging creatives and zinemakers. The event strives to celebrate diverse voices and encourage accessible, hands-on creativity, creating a space where everyone can share, discover, make and connect.
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