Funding | Arts Board | Music
We support all styles of music, including blues, classical, classical contemporary, country, dance music, early music, electronica, folk, hip hop, jazz, Māori, Pacific, indigenous, pop, rock, sound art, music that crosses cultural boundaries, and styles that cross musical genres.
The information in this section will help you identify which programme to apply to. For guidelines on how to put together an application, please refer to the Application Workbook supplement (PDF, 308KB) and the Music Applications FAQs. 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.
The project funding environment is extremely competitive. In the 2006 calendar year, the Arts Board received 251 music applications and was able to fund 72 (29%) of them. Grants ranged from $750 to $73,850.
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
Priority will be given to strong applications that will deliver at least one of the following benefits or outcomes:
- creative and professional development opportunities for individual practitioners where there is likely to be long-term benefits for New Zealand music
- sustainable careers for professional composers, musicians and practitioners (emergent, mid-career and senior) through targeted support at key career stages
- rewarding careers for professional composers, musicians and practitioners (emergent, mid-career and senior) through the development of high-quality, innovative work in a variety of music genres
- the growth of culturally diverse new work
- thriving and well-resourced professional music organisations
- the maintenance and growth of existing audiences and the development of new audiences for New Zealand-made music
- strategically focussed international audience and market development opportunities for New Zealand music with a clear potential for long-term benefits
- publications that focus on high-quality critical discourse on New Zealand music.
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
WWe don't fund arts education resources, activities or projects focussed on 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.
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 music 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, masterclasses, seminars, conferences, wānanga, mentoring
- residencies
- overseas postgraduate study for emerging musicians for up to one year (you can apply for up to $10,000)
- study, research and other professional development opportunities for established practitioners.
Please note: contests and competitions that don't have a separate professional development component are unlikely to be funded.
Residencies
Music practitioners may apply for project funding to undertake an overseas residency. Applications seeking funding for a local residency must be made by the host organisation.
Please note: residencies within educational institutions need to demonstrate clearly how the activity of the resident artist will be distinct from the ongoing educational programme of the institution.
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 an artist-in-residence as part of Creative New Zealand's international residency programme within the previous 12 months are not eligible to apply.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Jack McGill MUSIC Scholarship
Interest from the Jack McGill Estate provides scholarships to outstanding young musicians and is administered by the Public Trust with Creative New Zealand. The amount available each year is generally awarded to one or two individuals for advanced music study overseas for up to a year. Applicants should be New Zealand citizens, 20 years or older, have a university degree or diploma, or an LTCL, LRSM or equivalent qualification. Musicians who apply to the first funding round in 2009 will be considered automatically for this scholarship. If you are eligible to be considered for this scholarship, please indicate on the application form.
Butland Music Scholarship
The Butland Music Foundation is managed by Creative New Zealand and awards the annual Butland Music Scholarship. Musicians who apply to the first funding round in 2009 will be considered automatically for this scholarship. Criteria are similar to the Jack McGill Scholarship. If you are eligible to be considered for this scholarship, please indicate on the application form.
Edwin Carr Foundation Scholarship
New Zealand composers wishing to further their studies are invited to apply for an Edwin Carr Foundation Scholarship. The amount available each year is up to $25,000 and will generally be used to support one or two scholarships for up to a year. Composers at any stage of their career may apply. Applicants must be New Zealand citizens (resident in New Zealand or overseas) and meet Creative New Zealand's general eligibility criteria. Composers who apply to the first funding round in 2009 will be considered automatically for this scholarship. If you wish to be considered for this scholarship, please indicate on the application form.
Mentoring
Support may be provided for established music practitioners (the mentor) 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 protégé and must include the name of the intended mentor, written evidence of their consent and ability to act as a mentor, the 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?
Creative New Zealand will not fund more than a year's study at a time.
Please note: if you've already received funding for postgraduate study you are not eligible to apply again in subsequent years for the same course of study.
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 your artform FAQs.
2: Contribution to artists' and/or artform development
A strong application will provide evidence of:
- artistic excellence
- artistic innovation
- involvement of experienced arts practitioners
- 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.
You may apply for professional fees, associated costs and travel, and a reasonable level of administrative costs. If you wish to claim administrative costs you should provide a detailed breakdown of these costs within your project's budget.
For costs relating to overseas postgraduate study for up to a year, we will consider a contribution of up to $10,000 a year. We can't fund course fees.
For more help with your budget please refer to your artform FAQs.
Support material
For general advice on gathering and presenting your support material go to the Application Workbook supplement (PDF, 308KB)
It's important that your application includes five copies of recordings (CD, VHS video or CD-ROM) and other support material. This will ensure that the five members of the Music Assessment Committee are able to listen to recordings and see the relevant material when they first read your application.
As a guide, we suggest you provide up to 15 minutes of listening material that best illustrates and supports your application. If you are sending complete albums, please highlight the tracks you would like the assessors to listen to.
For projects involving new technologies, you should include five copies of examples of previous work in relevant formats (e.g. 35mm slides, VHS video, audio-CD, CD-ROM, photographs, text or URLs). All multi-media support material should be self-playable (i.e. the required software comes with the material) and with clear navigational routes provided (i.e. for a CD-ROM or a website).
In some cases, recordings may not be relevant to your application. For example, if you're attending a conference it may be more relevant to include additional information about the conference venue and/or organisers.
In general, it is not useful to include scores or lead sheets in your application. If you're applying for an overseas programme of activity (e.g. conference, residency, tertiary study), you should include confirmation of invitations for professional study opportunities or acceptance from institutions. Information about the event, organisers/institution should also be included.
For advice on what to put in your project plan see the Application Workbook supplement (PDF,308KB) Also don't hesitate to contact staff.
New Work funding programme
Under this programme, the Arts Board supports the creation of new New Zealand music. We also offer grants to organisations to commission or employ artists (composers/songwriters/arrangers) to create new work. Projects funded under this programme should result in music works that are ready for an initial presentation to the public.
Types of activities we fund
- direct support for artists to produce new recordings
- the creation of new work using new technologies
- commissions or residencies where the grant is for artists' (composers/songwriters/arrangers) fees to produce new work
- direct support for established artists to write, record and produce new work where recording is part of the process: e.g. improvisatory music, sound art, electronica or the creation of songs in the studio
- collaborative and multi-disciplinary projects involving other arts practitioners and artforms: e.g. you're applying for support to develop the score for a music performance that also involves a moving image installation
- writers' fees for new and original work contributing to New Zealand music critical discourse..
New recording grants
As a guideline, a maximum of $15,000 is recommended for artists with established track records to assist with the production of a new recording. Applications must provide evidence of financial and/or in-kind support from other sources.
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 can't fund projects that involve the production of music videos.
Please note: if you're applying for funding to market and distribute a new recording you should apply under the Presentation, Promotion and Audience Develoment funding programme.
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 Supplement.
2: Contribution to artists' and/or artform development
A strong application will provide evidence of:
- artistic excellence
- artistic innovation
- involvement of experienced arts practitioners
- 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.
A standard scale of fees compiled by the Composers Association of New Zealand can be downloaded from its website (www.canz.net.nz) or you can contact a programme administrator in your area for a hard copy.
To calculate equivalent full-time wages for direct support to create new work, we suggest $2000 per month for emerging musicians and $4000 per month for established musicians.
Support material
For general advice on gathering and presenting your support material go to the Application Workbook supplement (PDF, 308KB)
It's important that your application includes five copies of recordings (CD, VHS video or CD-ROM) and other support material. This will ensure that the five members of the Music Assessment Committee are able to listen to recordings and see the relevant material when they first read your application.
As a guide, we suggest you provide up to 15 minutes of listening material that best illustrates and supports your application. If you are sending full-length CDs, please highlight the tracks you would like the assessors to listen to.
For projects involving new technologies, you should include five copies of examples of previous work in relevant formats (e.g. 35mm slides, VHS video, audio-CD, CD-ROM, photographs, text or URLs). All multi-media support material should be self-playable (i.e. the required software comes with the material) and with clear navigational routes provided (i.e. for a CD-ROM or a website).
In general, it's not useful to include scores or lead sheets in your application. If it's relevant to your project, please include evidence of previous experience such as commissions, public performances that are building an audience, or sales figures of a previous recent release.
Presentation, Promotion and Audience Development funding programme
Under this programme, the Arts Board supports projects that present and distribute quality New Zealand music. We also support projects that develop and extend current and new audiences and markets for New Zealand music.
Types of activities we fund
- performances such as gigs, concerts, festivals, showcases
- tours
- collaborative and multi-disciplinary projects involving other arts practitioners and artforms: e.g. your project is a music performance involving moving image and you're applying for support to present a multi-media event
- the marketing and distribution of recorded music
- publication of scores
- collaborative and multi-disciplinary projects involving other arts practitioners and artforms: e.g. your project is a music performance involving moving image and you are applying for support to present a multi-media event
- recordings of works that have already been presented (e.g. performed, produced or published)
- the marketing and distribution of recorded music
- publication of scores
- publications that document or discuss aspects of music in New Zealand
- projects that aim to build local and international audiences for New Zealand music.
NEW RECORDING GRANTS
As a guideline, a maximum request of $15,000 is recommended for artists wth established track records towards the marketing and distribution of a new recording. Applications must provide evidence of financial and/or in-kind support from other sources.
DEBUT ALBUMS
Emergent artists who have already released a recording of original material such as a single or EP may apply for grants of up to $5000 to assist with manufacturing and distribution costs of a subsequent debut album. Applicants must have:
- funded independently (i.e. self-funded or received funding from an alternative source) the recording component of the project
- a marketing and distribution strategy.
TOURING
Support may be provided for projects that involve national or international touring. Priority will be given to projects with an element of joint investment and risk-sharing between presenters (e.g. venues, festivals) and producers (e.g. practitioners), and where there is a likelihood of developing touring circuits and future markets for the work.
International
Support for international touring will be limited to travel and freight costs.
To be eligible to apply for funding you must have:
- a proven track record of successful national touring in New Zealand
- released at least one album
- evidence of professional management.
Your touring application must provide a clear rationale for why you want to tour to your chosen destinations, along with a list of intended outcomes. Your application must include:
- business plan (for the band)
- touring plan, which should be part of your overall business plan
- a confirmed itinerary, linked to the touring plan
- estimated audiences for each gig
- letters of support confirming your itinerary
- a guarantee that you have sufficient CDs to distribute to key people at gigs
- examples of your promotional/marketing material
- a list of key people you've invited to your gigs and why.
You also need to let us know if you have a record company and/or other financial support.
In all cases, you must discuss your application with Creative New Zealand staff first. if you are thinking about applying for funding to tour internationally.
Please note: as a guideline, emerging artists seeking funding to market and distribute an album may apply for grants of up to $5000. Established artists may apply for grants of up to $15,000.
Arts festivals
Applications from festivals that present music, or whose primary focus is music, will be assessed by the Music Assessment Committee.
Applications from eligible multi-artform festivals will be assessed by the Festivals Assessment Committee (see eligibility criteria).
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 can't fund projects that are:
- recording, manufacturing and distribution costs that would be recovered by income from sales or by a record company
- self-publishing activities
- overseas organisations presenting in New Zealand
- overseas tours for non-professional music groups
- contests and competitions unless there is a significant focus on accessing new audiences
- activities demonstrating little evidence of demand (e.g. box-office income, fees from venues or presenters) unless they are part of a strategic programme for reaching new audiences or markets.
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 your artform FAQs. 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*
- confirmed names and availability of key artists, 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 practitioners
- the project's potential to develop new audiences
- the project's potential to develop sustainable markets for New Zealand music
- 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 arts practice in New Zealand.*
* Please note: factors with an asterisk will not necessarily apply to all projects.
3: Opportunities for artists
Factors that help to make a strong application:
- 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.
Support for international touring will be limited to travel and freight costs.
For more help with your budget please refer to your artform FAQs.
Support material
For general advice on gathering and presenting your support material go to the Application Workbook supplement (PDF, 308KB)
It's important that your application includes five copies of recordings (CD, VHS video or CD-ROM) and other support material. This will ensure that the five members of the Music Assessment Committee are able to listen to recordings and see the relevant material when they first read your application.
As a guide, we suggest you provide up to 15 minutes of listening material that best illustrates and supports your application. If you are sending complete albums, please highlight the tracks you would like the assessors to listen to.
Where relevant, you should also provide written confirmation from the artists involved in the project, stating their availability.
For projects involving new technologies, you should include five copies of examples of previous work in relevant formats (e.g. 35mm slides, VHS video, audio-CD, CD-ROM, photographs, text or URLs). All multi-media support material should be self-playable (i.e. the required software comes with the material) and with clear navigational routes provided (i.e. for a CD-ROM or a website).
In general, it's not useful to include scores or lead sheets in your application. If it's relevant to your project, please include evidence of previous experience such as commissions, public performances that are building an audience, or sales figures of a previous recent release.
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 supplement (PDF, 308KB) For specific advice on how to make an application under your artform, go to your artform FAQ page.
