Funding | Arts Board | Craft/object art
The information in this section of the website will help you identify which programme to apply to.
Please note that your project is unlikely to be funded if you have little or no record of achievement in your artform/area of expertise.
If your project focuses on local arts development or arts participation in the community it may be more appropriate to apply to the Creative Communities Scheme.
Craft/Object art project funding is not easy to get because there is a lot of competition for a limited amount of money. In the 2006 calendar year, the Arts Board received 46 applications and was able to fund 11 (24%) of them. Grants ranged from $4,600 to $67,894.
Once you've read the relevant information in this section, you'll need to start preparing your application. For guidelines on how to put an application together, please refer to the Application Workbook 2008 (PDF, 308KB), Funding Guide: Nga Putea 2008(PDF, 1.16MB) and the Craft/Object Art Applications FAQs.
Please note: the printed funding guide is available for order or download on this site.
Three key questions
- Are you eligible? (See Step 1)
- Are you in the most appropriate section of this guide? (See Step 2 and Step 3)
- Do you know the closing date for project funding applications?
25 July 2008 (for projects beginning after 25 October 2008)
Sector priorities
Creative New Zealand's review of past research and consultation with the craft/object art sector identified priorities to help strengthen infrastructure and develop the artform and this sector. The following areas were revealed as the most critical to the sector's development at this time (listed alphabetically):
- exhibition opportunities within existing public galleries/museums
- exhibition spaces dedicated to craft/object art
- forums for communication (e.g. conferences, seminars and workshops)
- international audience and market development opportunities
- leadership and advocacy
- professional development
- publications and critical writing.
Priority will be given to strong project applications that will deliver benefits and outcomes in these areas.
Creative New Zealand has responded to the sector's identification of these priorities by entering into an annual funding relationship with Objectspace, New Zealand's first non-commercial exhibition space dedicated to craft/object art. It has also established a substantial craft/object art fellowship and formed a partnership with the Blumhardt Foundation to support a craft/object art curatorial internship, co-ordinated by The Dowse. There's more information about these two initiatives later in this section.
Arts Board funding programmes
The Arts Board has three funding programmes and each programme has a different aim. The funding programmes and their aims are:
Creative and Professional Development - to support artists and other arts practitioners to develop their skills, experience, knowledge and networks
New Work - to support the creation of original New Zealand work
Presentation, Promotion and Audience Development - to support the presentation and promotion of New Zealand work, and to develop audiences and markets for New Zealand work.
Each application to the Arts Board must be made under one of these programmes. To decide which programme to apply to, first identify the aim of your project.
What's the aim of your project?
If your project meets more than one of the aims below, identify the one description that fits best and then apply under that programme. Is your project's aim:
- the creation of opportunities for artists or other arts practitioners to experiment, develop concepts, develop skills, extend professional knowledge and/or expand networks? Go to Creative and Professional Development funding programme
- the creation (through to completion) of original works? Go to New Work funding programme
- the presentation, promotion or distribution of New Zealand work, or the development of audiences for New Zealand work? Go to Presentation, Promotion and Audience Development funding programme.
Please note: applications where the artists or arts practitioners have little or no record of achievement in their artform/area of expertise are unlikely to be funded.
Please note: if your project focuses on local arts development or arts participation in the community it may be more appropriate to apply to the Creative Communities Scheme.
Does your project involve ... ?
Arts education for young people
We don't fund arts education resources, activities or projects focussed on the delivery of national education curriculum outcomes and/or qualification requirements.
Some support may be available for projects that will deliver high-quality arts outcomes for both the young people and professional artists involved.
Design
For projects involving a design component, artists may apply for funding to develop and/or make new work but not for the commercial production of that work.
Interdisciplinary practice
For projects engaging with practices across a range of artforms and demonstrating the creative interconnection of different disciplines, you should apply to the artform that your project most relates to.
New media, web and/or moving image: In general, these projects are not treated as separate artforms. That's because all of the artforms covered in this guide regularly incorporate new media, moving image and web-based genres. Additional information is provided in the new media section.
Creative and Professional Development funding programme
Under this programme, the Arts Board supports artists and other arts practitioners to develop their skills, experience, knowledge and networks. This includes projects that focus on research, experimentation, concept development and professional interactions with peers.
Types of activities we fund
- workshops and forums, masterclasses, seminars, wānanga, mentoring, internships
- residencies in New Zealand and overseas
- overseas exchanges and, in some cases, costs towards travel for overseas study or research
- research and development of new exhibitions (historical and contemporary)
- conference organisation or attendance
- research for and/or new critical writing
- visits of international critics and curators.
Residencies in New Zealand
The selection and administration of an artist residency is generally undertaken by the host organisation. New Zealand hosts with craft/object artists in their residency programmes include: the Christchurch Polytechnic, Unitec, and Nelson-Marlborough's Institute of Technology.
Specific enquiries should be made directly to a potential host organisation. Creative New Zealand's standard artist-in-residence guidelines are available from the Arts Development team.
International residencies
The website of the International Association of Residential Arts Centers (www.resartis.org/) lists a wide range of international residency opportunities, many of which are available to New Zealand artists. Individual artists may apply for project-funding support to undertake a residency at an overseas institution.
Please note: individuals who have been artists-in-residence as part of Creative New Zealand's international residency programme within the previous 12 months are not eligible to apply.
For the latest information on international opportunities please go to our international residencies page.
Awards and fellowships
Creative New Zealand-Blumhardt Foundation Curatorial Internship
In 2004, Creative New Zealand formed a partnership with the Blumhardt Foundation to support a curatorial internship, to be co-ordinated by TheNewDowse.The internship is for a period of between eight and sixteen weeks. The intern will carry out research at TheNewDowse on New Zealand craft/object art and applied/decorative arts, including the Blumhardt and TheNewDowse collections, as well as the wider sector. This research is expected to culminate in an exhibition at TheNewDowse and ideally, it will be supported by new writing in a publication accompanying the exhibition (funding permitting).
Creative New Zealand supports the internship with $15,000. This funding includes a curatorial stipend, travel and accommodation. Any funding available after these costs have been met will be directed towards production costs for a publication.
Review of residencies, fellowships and special opportunities
Mentoring
Support may be provided for established artists or other arts practitioners to mentor less experienced practitioners (the protégé). Mentoring may involve providing feedback, helping with skill development or helping to build contacts. Support usually takes the form of a fee for the mentor and reasonable expenses (e.g. telephone calls, transport). Proposals are accepted from the and must include the name of the intended mentor, written evidence of their consent and ability to act as a mentor, the protégé specific area of knowledge to be focussed on, and an outline of the intended mentoring process and programme.
Types of activities we can't fund
If you haven't already checked whether your project is eligible for funding, please work your way through Step 1: Can I apply?.
Assessment criteria
Your application will be assessed against the following criteria.
When prioritising, the assessors will also keep in mind the key areas identified by the craft/object art sector as being critical to the sector's development (i.e. the seven bullet-point activities referred to above).
To read about the application assessment process, go to FAQ no.12
1: Good project planning
A strong application will provide a thorough project plan and a detailed, realistic budget. Please refer to the Application Workbook (PDF, 308KB) and the budget guidelines for your artform.
2: Contribution to artists' and/or artform development
A strong application will provide evidence of:
- artistic excellence
- artistic innovation
- involvement of experienced arts practitioner/s
- the project's potential to reference New Zealand culture
- the project's potential to foster increased understanding of Māori arts, in partnership with tāngata whenua*
- the project's potential to foster interactions between communities and professional artists*
- the project's potential to foster debate on arts practice in New Zealand.*
* Please note: factors with an asterisk will not necessarily apply to all projects.
3: Opportunities for artists
A strong application will provide evidence of:
- opportunities for artists or other arts practitioners to develop their skills
- opportunities for artists to experiment and explore new directions in their work*
- opportunities for Māori artists and non-Māori artists to work in partnership.*
* Please note: factors with an asterisk will not necessarily apply to all projects.
Budget notes
The following budget information is specific to this funding programme and artform. For more help with your budget see our budget advice for your artform. For generic budget advice see the Application Workbook (PDF, 308KB).
The recommended guide for assistance for individual professional development travel is $2000 - $10000. The lower end of the range is for short-term travel to attend an event (e.g. a conference) and the upper end of the range is for longer-term travel with a more expansive itinerary. Applications for travel associated with a sustained and structured project with an organisational partner (e.g. curatorial internship in a gallery) will not necessarily be bound by this benchmark range of figures.
For costs relating to overseas postgraduate study, we will consider a contribution of up to $10000. We can't fund course fees.
Support material
For general advice on gathering and presenting your support material go to the Application Workbook (PDF, 308KB)
We require two copies of the whole application, including support material. If you submit five copies (optional) of the support material this will ensure that the five members of the Craft/Object Art Assessment Committee see the support material when they first read your application. However, there is a viewing session prior to the formal assessment meeting where all support material is viewed by all assessors so if you send only two copies they will all still see it.
Images: depending on the project, images may or may not be relevant in an application under this funding programme. For example, if you are seeking funding to attend a conference, images of work are less likely to be relevant. In this case, you may want to include additional information about the conference venue and/or organisers.
If you are sending images, please do not send originals. Images can be sent in a range of formats (e.g. slides, photographs, laser copies, CDs) but assessors prefer hard-copy print images included as part of the application because they provide an instant visual prompt without interrupting reading by having to stop and view slides or a disk. However, this is a preferred option only.
Other material: it may be useful to add to your application material such as exhibition catalogues and/or videos where appropriate. If the application relates to an overseas programme of activity (conference, residency, tertiary study), it's a good idea to include information about the event, organisers/institution etc.
For advice on what to put in your project plan see the Application Workbook (PDF, 308KB)For more help with your budget go to your artform FAQs. Also don't hesitate to contact staff.
New Work funding programme
Under this programme, the Arts Board supports the creation of original New Zealand artworks. We also offer grants to organisations to commission or employ artists to create new work.
Projects funded under this programme should result in works of art that are ready for an initial presentation to the public. Commissions should have a public outcome: e.g. an exhibition or a manuscript for publication.
Types of activities we fund
- direct support for artists to complete a project over a specified period of time (including materials and stipend/labour costs)
- collaborative projects involving other arts practitioners and artforms
- organisations in New Zealand or overseas preparing exhibitions featuring New Zealand artists
- commissions or residencies where the grant is for New Zealand artists' fees to produce new work
- writers' fees for new and original work contributing to New Zealand's craft/object art discourse.
Residencies
Please read the information on residencies under the Creative and Professional Development funding programme.
Types of activities we can't fund
If you haven't already checked whether your project is eligible for funding, please work your way through Step 1: Can I apply?
Please note: If your project involves making musical instruments you should refer to the music funding section and your application should be directed to the Music Assessment Committee.
Assessment criteria
Your application will be assessed against the following criteria.
When prioritising, the assessors will also keep in mind the key areas identified by the craft/object art sector as being critical to the sector's development (i.e. the seven bullet-point activities referred to earlier in this section). To read about the application assessment process, see our FAQs.
1: Good project planning
A strong application will provide a thorough project plan and a detailed, realistic budget. Please refer to the Application Workbook (PDF, 308KB)
2: Contribution to artists' and/or artform development
A strong application will provide evidence of:
- artistic excellence
- artistic innovation
- involvement of experienced arts practitioner/s
- the project's potential to stretch boundaries within and across artforms*
- the project's potential to reference New Zealand culture*
- the project's potential to foster increased understanding of Māori arts, in partnership with tāngata whenua*
- the project's potential to foster debate on arts practice in New Zealand.*
* Please note: factors with an asterisk will not necessarily apply to all projects.
3: Opportunities for artists
A strong application will provide evidence of:
- opportunities for artists to create or complete a new body of work
- opportunities for Māori artists and non-Māori artists to work in partnership.*
* Please note: factors with an asterisk will not necessarily apply to all projects.
4. Opportunities for audiences
A strong application will provide evidence of:
- opportunities for audiences to experience new New Zealand work
- opportunities for audiences to experience Māori arts in partnership with tāngata whenua*
- the project's potential to involve young audiences.*
* Please note: factors with an asterisk will not necessarily apply to all projects.
Budget notes
The following budget information is specific to this funding programme and artform. For more help with your budget see our budget advice for your artform. For generic budget advice see the Application Workbook (PDF, 308KB).
To calculate equivalent full-time wages/stipend for direct support to create new work, we suggest $2000 per month for emerging artists and $4000 per month for established practitioners.
Support material
For general advice on gathering and presenting your support material go to the Application Workbook (PDF 1.15MB)
We require two copies of the whole application, including support material. If you submit five copies (optional) of the support material this will ensure that the five members of the Craft/Object Art Assessment Committee see the support material when they first read your application. However, there is a viewing session prior to the formal assessment meeting where all support material is viewed by all assessors so if you send only two copies they will all still see it.
Images: including images with an application under the New Work funding programme is usually a critical element. Although we understand that you can't provide images of work that's not yet made, it's important to include good-quality, representative images of the work of all artists involved in the project.
If you are sending images, please do not send originals. Images can be sent in a range of formats (e.g. slides, photographs, laser copies, CDs) but assessors prefer hard-copy print images included as part of the application because they provide an instant visual prompt without interrupting reading by having to stop and view slides or a disk. However, this is a preferred option only.
Other material: it may be useful to include material such as exhibition catalogues and/or videos, where appropriate.
Presentation, Promotion and Audience Development funding programme
Under this programme, the Arts Board supports projects that present, promote and distribute New Zealand artworks. We also support projects that develop and extend current and new audiences and markets for New Zealand work.
Types of activities we fund
- the publication of monographs, exhibition catalogues and critical writing about New Zealand art and artists (by both New Zealand and international project initiators or co-ordinators)
- the presentation and touring of New Zealand exhibitions (historical and contemporary) in New Zealand and internationally
- participation in New Zealand and international festivals, fairs and biennales
- projects that aim to build local and international audiences for New Zealand craft/object art.
Touring
Support for international touring will be limited to travel and freight costs.
Priority will be given to projects with an element of joint investment and risk-sharing between presenters (e.g. venues, event organisers) and producers (e.g. practitioners).
Publications
A publication application should include: an outline of the critical approach being taken with the text, the writer/s involved, print specifications (format, design and printing quotes where possible) and a distribution strategy (i.e. a plan on how, and to whom, the proposed print-run number of publications will be distributed). Don't forget to include revenue from sales of the publication (if it is to be sold) in the project income section of your budget.
Ideally, you should have a publishing partner involved. The partner may be a gallery partner or an established commercial publisher. Creative New Zealand prefers you to have a publishing partner because it helps offset the costs and also demonstrates that there's a demand, market and/or audience for the publication.
Please note: Publishers should seek advice from a programme adviser in your area about the content and format of an application for a craft/object art publication. That's because it's different from the format of a literature publication application and specialised information is required. For more information please see our Craft/Object Arts FAQs.
Arts festivals
Applications from festivals presenting craft/object art, or whose primary focus is craft/object art, will be assessed by the Craft/Object Art Assessment Committee.
Applications from eligible multi-artform festivals will be assessed by the Festivals Assessment Committee.
Please note: multi-artform festivals funded through the Festivals Assessment Committee are unlikely to receive support for additional components of their programmes through artform assessment committees.
Types of activities we can't fund
If you haven't already checked whether your project is eligible for funding, please work your way through Step 1: Can I apply?. In addition, we cannot fund projects that are:
- overseas organisations presenting in New Zealand
- overseas trips for non-professional arts groups
- contests and competitions unless there is a significant focus on accessing new audiences.
Assessment criteria
Your application will be assessed against the following criteria. To read about the application assessment process, please go to our FAQs.
1: Good project planning
A strong application will provide a thorough project plan and a detailed, realistic budget. Please refer to the Application Workbook (PDF 1.15MB)
We also want your project plan to provide:
- identification of the work's target audience (i.e. numbers, audience characteristics etc)
- identification of market development opportunities*
- a thorough marketing plan specific to the project*
- confirmed itineraries and venues, in the case of a tour.*
* Please note: factors with an asterisk will not necessarily apply to all projects.
2: Contribution to artists' and/or artform development
A strong application will provide evidence of:
- artistic merit of the work to be presented or distributed
- involvement of experienced arts practitioner/s
- the project's potential to develop new audiences
- the project's potential to develop sustainable markets for New Zealand arts
- the project's potential to foster interactions between communities and professional artists*
- the project's potential to reference New Zealand culture*
- the project's potential to foster increased understanding of Māori arts, in partnership with tāngata whenua*
- the project's potential to foster debate on art practice in New Zealand.*
* Please note: factors with an asterisk will not necessarily apply to all projects.
3: Opportunities for artists
A strong application will provide evidence of:
- opportunities for New Zealand artists to advance their careers and build their profiles
- opportunities for Māori artists and non-Māori artists to work in partnership.*
* Please note: factors with an asterisk will not necessarily apply to all projects.
4: Opportunities for audiences and markets
A strong application will provide evidence of:
- opportunities to experience and understand new and innovative New Zealand work nationally and internationally
- opportunities to experience artistically significant work
- the project's potential to reach audiences that reflect New Zealand's cultural diversity
- the project's potential to reach communities that have limited opportunities to experience professional arts
- opportunities to experience Māori arts, in partnership with tāngata whenua*
- the project's potential to involve young audiences.*
* Please note: factors with an asterisk will not necessarily apply to all projects.
Budget notes
The following budget information is specific to this funding programme and artform. For more help with your budget see our budget advice for your artform. For generic budget advice see the Application Workbook (PDF 1.15MB).
Support for international touring will be limited to travel and freight costs.
Support material
For general advice on gathering and presenting your support material go to the Application Workbook (PDF 1.15MB)
We require two copies of the whole application, including support material. If you submit five copies (optional) of the support material this will ensure that the five members of the Craft/Object Art Assessment Committee see the support material when they first read your application. However, there is a viewing session prior to the formal assessment meeting where all support material is viewed by all assessors so if you send only two copies they will all still see it.
Images: including images with an application for the Presentation, Promotion and Audience Development funding programme is usually a significant component. Even if you're applying for elements such as freight or printing costs for a publication, images of the work being toured or featured in the publication provide vital support.
If you are sending images, please do not send originals. Images can be sent in a range of formats (e.g. slides, photographs, laser copies, CDs) but assessors prefer hard-copy print images included as part of the application because they provide an instant visual prompt without interrupting reading by having to stop and view slides or a disk. However, this is a preferred option only.
Other material: it may be useful to include material such as exhibition catalogues and/or videos, where appropriate. For publication applications it's important to send either a portion of the completed text or a detailed outline of the content of the publication proposed (themes/approach, sections, authors) and samples of the participating writers' past work.
For more information
If you have finished reading all about the funding programme you intend to apply to, you can start preparing your application. For general guidelines on how to put an application together, see our Application Workbook (PDF 1.15MB) For specific advice on how to make an application under your artform, go to your artform FAQ page. Also, don't hesitate to contact staff.
