Creative Communities Scheme (CCS)

Creative Communities Scheme

The Creative Communities Scheme supports grassroots arts and cultural projects and events happening locally.

This fund is ideal for communities to share their unique arts and culture with Whangārei, and to facilitate greater participation in local arts and cultural activities.

Applications supported by this fund include:

  • cultural events 
  • arts and crafts workshops 
  • events showcasing young local artists 
  • pop-up exhibitions 
  • Fringe Festival shows 
  • community art projects.

Successful applications meet at least one of the fund’s criteria:

  • Access and participation – Create opportunities for local communities to engage with and participate in local arts activities.
  • Diversity – Support the diverse artistic cultural traditions of local communities.
  • Young people – Enable young people (under 18 years) to engage with and participate in the arts.

Read the application guide for the full criteria, advice for applying and examples of suitable projects:

Creative Communities Scheme Application Guide(PDF, 182KB)

Applications to this fund are assessed by a panel of local art practitioners from across all artforms and backgrounds. We welcome expressions of interest in becoming an assessor when vacancies arise. Email us if you would like to be notified of the next intake.

Amount: Most grants allocated are under $7,000.

Funding rounds for 2025-2026:

  • Round 1 – 1 May to 30 June 2025
  • Round 2 – 1 September to 31 October 2025
  • Round 3 – 1 January to 28 February 2026.

Apply online

Step 1.Read the application guide

Read the application guide for the full criteria, advice for applying and examples of suitable projects:

Creative Communities Scheme Application Guide(PDF, 182KB)

Step 2.Attend a webinar

Join one of our webinars to learn how to apply and what makes a winning application:

Alternatively, book an appointment with the Community Funding Adviser:

Book a 1:1 appointment

Applicants who have successfully applied to the Whangārei Creative Communities Scheme can skip this step.

Step 3.Prepare

Successful applications present a clear proposal and have strong supporting evidence.

You must provide these supporting documents with your application:
  • latest financial performance report (groups only)
  • proof of bank account (in the name of the applicant)
  • quotes for all expenses
  • letters of support for the project
  • any supporting information you think relevant to your application. 

Step 4.Complete application

Fill in the online application form on our grants portal and upload any supporting documents.

SmartyGrants portal (wdc.smartygrants.com.au)

If you need help to complete the online application, please make an appointment with the Community Funding Adviser. 

If it is your first time using SmartyGrants, please read the help information below. You can find out about registering and also about creating a SmartyFile account to manage your organisational account.

SmartyGrants help 

Step 5.Assessment and decision

Eligible applications will be assessed by an independent panel of local community artists and practitioners.

Applicants will receive an outcome six weeks after the funding round closes.