About Creative NZ

Creative New Zealand is the national arts development agency developing, investing in and advocating for the arts.

Our vision is to help develop strong and dynamic New Zealand arts which are valued in Aotearoa and internationally. As we work towards this vision we are encouraged by the knowledge that New Zealanders are strong supporters of the arts.

Our research report New Zealanders and the arts: Attitudes, attendance and participation in 2008 found:

• 79 percent of New Zealanders agree that our arts help define who we are as New Zealanders
• 72 percent of New Zealanders think that the arts are for people like them, and
• 73 percent of us agree our communities would be poorer without the arts.

Creative New Zealand’s Strategic Plan for 2010-2013 has identified four outcomes that are key features of a strong and dynamic arts environment. These are:

• New Zealanders participate in the arts
• High-quality New Zealand art is developed
• New Zealanders experience high-quality art
• New Zealand arts gain international success.

We are committed to achieving these outcomes by:

• directly funding artists, practitioners and arts organisations
• providing opportunities for artists, practitioners and arts organisations to increase their skills and capabilities, for example in leadership and governance workshops or advice on how to attract new audiences
• advocating for and promoting New Zealand arts from highlighting the public value of the arts and conducting research, to building relationships that ensure New Zealand work is presented overseas.

Creative New Zealand is funded by the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board and by the New Zealand Government through the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.