Creative Communities Scheme

Creative Communities Scheme Whanganui logo

The Creative Communities Scheme is a partnership between Whanganui District Council and Creative New Zealand to promote local arts projects. 

Application dates

Open: Thursday, 1 February 2024
Close: 12 noon on Thursday, 29 February 2024
For projects that take place between 22 March 2024 and 22 March 2025

Application process

Crafting your project

When project planning, we recommend reading the Creative Communities application guide(PDF, 420KB). It contains helpful information that is important to consider such as eligibility criteria and details to include in your application.

It is preferred you discuss your project plans with the Creative Community Advisor before submitting your application. They can clarify any questions you may have and advise on how to best frame your ideas on paper.

Information is also available in a range of languages below.

Submitting your application

You may choose one of the following three methods to submit your application.

  • Post
    You may complete an application form and post it to:
    Attn: Creative Community Advisor
    Whanganui District Council, PO Box 637, Whanganui

  • Online
    An online version of the form is available here

Please ensure the required support material is enclosed with your application.

For further information on this fund, email the Creative Community Advisor.

Recent grant recipients 

In mid-2023, Whanganui Creative Communities Scheme opted to receive one-off additional funding from Creative New Zealand to support local, established community festivals.

This festival fund was created to support festivals which celebrate the life experiences, stories, cultures and regional identities of New Zealanders, and continue to be impacted by the effects of COVID-19 in 2023.

Six community groups received grants from the festival fund via Whanganui’s Creative Communities Scheme. They have been noted below, alongside recipients of the regular Whanganui Creative Communities Scheme fund.

Artist Open Studios Whanganui Trust $1000 for Artist Open Studio 2024 Festival
Black Sand Music Retreats $1579 for Community Music Group
Ken Chernoff $2985.40 for Whanganui Celebrates International Jazz Day 2024
Multicultural Council of Rangitikei/Whanganui Inc $4478.11 for Race Unity Week Festival 2024
Pākaraka Marae Charitable Trust $2930 for Ngāti Maika ANZAC 2024 Commemoration Festival of our Stories
River City Filipino Club $3752.68 for RCFC Dance Workshops
Sustainable Whanganui Trust $3000 for Creative Kids Sessions
Teena Lawrence $2517.65 for Ātuitui ia au kit e au peu o tōku kāinga ipukarea
Undergrand $2250 for Musical gifts in the gardens
Wen Xiong $2393.80 for Imagination in Motion: The Puppetry Workshop
Whanganui Creative Space $2099.57 Whanganui Open Studios Exhibition
Whanganui Hispanic Arts Group $1125 for Latin American and Spain Film Festival
Whanganui Literary Trust $1110 for 2023 Whanganui Literary Festival
Whanganui Repertory Theatre $1500 for Bugsy Malone Production
Youth Services Trust  $2000 for Walking the Path Together Mural