Arts sustainability fund

We've established a contestable fund to support the development and long-term sustainability of arts initiatives and organisations in Kāpiti. This Arts Sustainability Fund also supports Kāpiti arts and cultural communities to create and sustain inspirational and aspirational initiatives in the visual, performing, and cultural arts.

About the fund

The Arts Sustainability Fund is designed to support initiatives that run over a number of years, or as seed-funding grants to artists, arts organisations or cultural groups.

The fund focuses on supporting new initiatives, and ones not previously supported by Council, that show potential to grow and become self-sustainable over the next three years.

Preference is given to new initiatives, but we may consider existing projects where a new activity is proposed.

Timeline

The Arts Sustainability Fund will open in April 2025 for projects starting from 1 July 2025. We welcome enquiries at any time, and encourage early contact to discuss your proposal and the application process. 

Funds available

The Arts Sustainability Fund will have $34,000 allocated annually to support new arts initiatives contributing to the cultural vibrancy of the Kāpiti Coast. The actual amount available each year from 2024/25 depends on how much is committed to projects in a particular financial year. 

Grants are for around $8,000–$10,000 for each year, with a maximum of three years. 

Funds are allocated to multi-year initiatives, or seed-funding grants to artists, arts organisations, or cultural groups supporting:

• cultural and social well-being – contributing to a vibrant and sustainable arts presence on the Kāpiti Coast
• economic well-being – helping raise the Kāpiti Coast’s profile as an arts destination regionally and nationally
• environmental well-being – promoting the arts to help raise environmental awareness and profiling heritage stories in Kāpiti.

Who can apply

The fund is open to:

• artists, arts organisations, or individuals who are based or resident in Kāpiti
• not-for-profit organisations wanting to develop arts activities or programmes to reach certain audiences
• Iwi organisations or other groups focusing on development of Ngā Toi Māori
• educational institutions (for schools, this must be for programmes or activities outside the curriculum).

Funding criteria

Initiatives, activities, and programmes must:

• be in the Kāpiti Coast District
• be new initiatives or activities that haven't received Council funding before
• run for three years or more (Council funding will not extend beyond three years)
• showcase the Kāpiti arts scene to a local, regional, or national audience
• be aligned with Council’s strategic priorities for the arts in Kāpiti
• have potential to build to a major ongoing initiative or activity.

Proposed initiatives may include online activities that benefit the Kāpiti Coast's arts sector.

How to apply

Before you complete or submit your application, email the Creativity and Culture team to discuss your project or application.

Applications are closed, but you can see the application form to start getting ready for next year.

Reporting

Successful applicants will need to provide a summary report each year they are funded for, on dates agreed at the time the grant is awarded.

Recipients 2024/25

The assessment panel for this fund has awarded a grant to one recipient in 2024/25.