Arts and Culture Multi-Year Funding

Fund details 

Opens: 2028
Closes: TBC
Decision date: TBC

About the fund

To support the underpinning infrastructure, legacy institutions, and key partners in the leadership and development of the arts, culture and creative sectors in Wellington, organisations are funded an amount per annum across a multi-year period.

These contracts are generally in 3-year funding cycles, with agreed milestones and performance measures which are reviewed annually. Organisations will also have a designated Council relationship manager who monitors progress.

Priorities and outcomes

The purpose of this fund is to support our Aho Tini policy, which is designed to support the many strands of Wellington's creative and cultural talent, and weaves them into something that is stronger, more powerful and more sustaining than they are in isolation.

There are four focus areas that inform the priorities of the fund to bring the Aho Tini vision to life. Your application must demonstrate how your annual programme will deliver to two of the three Aho Tini Strands.

• Aho Tangata / Our people - Our communities are connected by diverse arts and cultural expression.
• Aho Hononga / Partnership with mana whenua and Māori - We honour te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Council's partnership with mana whenua and Māori in the outcomes we deliver.
• Aho Whenua / Our places, spaces and venues - The city is alive with the possibility of art around every corner.
• Aho Mahi / Pathways - Wellington is an incredible place to create, live, learn and work.

Application process

Organisations will typically be invited to apply based on a strong track record of delivering impactful arts and cultural initiatives that align with the goals of Aho Tini.

These organisations help connect diverse communities through creative expression (Aho Tangata), reflects Council’s partnership with mana whenua and Māori (Aho Hononga), bring life to our city’s places and spaces through artistic activity (Aho Whenua), and support pathways for artists to create, live, learn and work in Pōneke (Aho Mahi). They have demonstrated the ability to manage public funding effectively, engage with communities, audiences and deliver outcomes that support Wellington’s vision as a thriving creative capital.

Eligibility

By invitation only. Applicants must:

• meet the Cornerstone Framework criteria (outlined below)
• actively deliver on all four strands of Aho Tini, Council Arts, Culture and Creativity Strategy
• have a strong governance structure and financial track record
• be co-funded by other multi-year funding partners – such as Creative NZ
• demonstrate sector leadership and development for Wellington
• demonstrate awareness of and be increasing the level of engagement with mana whenua
• provide high quality arts practice/outcomes in what you are delivering
• be a critical piece of the arts, culture and creativity infrastructure for the city, for example a significant venue or employer.

Exclusions

Organisations who receive Arts Multi-Year funding:

• will not be able to apply for any other Council arts and culture funding for their organisations contracted delivery/programme. They can however apply for new initiative or one off projects.
• will not be able to apply for any education related costs, for example, tuition fees/course related costs or project related costs that contribute to gaining tertiary or secondary school qualifications or similar.

Funding amounts and timeframes

This fund operates on a 3-year cycle. Opportunities to apply will be by invitation only, with invitations expected to be issued in 2028. More information about the timing and process will be shared closer to the opening date.

Decisions will be made by the Pītau Pūmanawa | Grants sub-committee and communicated within 4–6 weeks after closing date. For any requests over $250,000, these will also be decided upon by the Social, Economic and Environmental Committee.

Assessing a contract’s health

All organisations with multi-year contracts will have their performance monitored. The Council uses a RAG (Red, Amber, Green) assessment system.

• Red: Significant issues are impacting the contract or service delivery agreements.
• Amber: Some concerns exist, but the contract remains manageable.
• Green: No concerns or only minor issues.

These assessments consider events that could impact an organisation’s ability to deliver key agreed services, including:

• service reductions or cancellations
• declining participation or user engagement
• serious health, safety, or property issues
• performance against agreed outcomes
• financial accountability for Council funds
• changes in other funding streams
• governance or staffing challenges.

RAG assessments help the Council identify where targeted support may be needed to ensure service continuity and accountability.

For more information on RAG assessments, contact your Relationship Manager or email us at funding@wcc.govt.nz.