Funding | Arts Board | Theatre
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 Theatre 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 158 theatre applications and was able to fund 33 (21%) of them. Grants ranged from $2000 to $266,600.
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)
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 supplement (PDF, 308KB)
Sector priorities
Following consultation with a range of New Zealand theatre practitioners about theatre sector concerns, the Arts Board will give investment and funding priority over the period 2006 to 2009 to theatre activities and opportunities that clearly demonstrate they will:
- maintain and develop the theatre profession's capacity to deliverļworld-class theatre across a diverse range of theatrical genres, styles and traditions
- reflect high artistic standards in the creation, presentation and distribution of work
- develop practitioners, productions and audiences through collaboration* (see below) with other theatre and/or arts organisations
- have identified potential audiences for the work (or intended work).
Please note: because of funding pressures, it's important that your application clearly demonstrates how the project will deliver to at least one, and preferably more than one, of these sector priorities. Proposals meeting only broad funding criteria are unlikely to be offered a grant.
*Collaboration
Theatre organisations and companies that are part of the recurrently funded portfolio of the Arts Board are not eligible to apply for project funding. These organisations are the Auckland Theatre Company, BATS Theatre, Centrepoint Theatre, Circa Theatre, The Court Theatre, Downstage Theatre, Fortune Theatre, Capital E National Theatre for Children, Taki Rua Productions and Playmarket.
However, practitioners may be eligible to apply for project funding support to undertake a project that occurs within a recurrently funded theatre if:
- they don't work for the recurrently funded theatre on a regular basis
- they aren't members of the governing body of a recurrently fundedtheatre.
Projects that are part of an annual programme of activity supported through the Arts Board's recurrently funded portfolio are not eligible for project funding support.
If your project involves a recurrently funded theatre, your application must include a letter of agreement between the applicant and the recurrently funded theatre. This letter should:
- identify the key creative personnel
- explain how the artistic collaboration will occur
- confirm that the non-recurrently funded party will be credited appropriately in any publicity material associated with the project
Collaborative proposals must also include a budget that clearly identifies the respective financial and/or in-kind contributions to be made to the project by the project-based company and the recurrently funded organisation.
For a collaborative project to be eligible, both the project funding applicant and the recurrently funded theatre must have discussed the project with Rose Campbell, Senior Programme Adviser (Tel: 04-498 0732 Email: rosec@creativenz.govt.nz) well in advance of the project funding deadline.
Applicants should be aware that recurrently funded organisations may be able to seek funding support from the Theatre Collaborations Fund. For further information on projects supported by Theatre Collaborations Fund, please contact Rob Gittins, Organisations Adviser (Tel: 04-498 0719 Email: robg@creativenz.govt.nz).
Please note: none of the above information about collaboration is intended to prevent a recurrently funded theatre from providing advice, expertise and mentoring assistance to an activity receiving project funding.
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; and to support the creation of original work (separate from a production outcome)
New Work - to support the presentation 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 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 theatre practitioners to develop theatre works, concepts, skills, experience and artform knowledge. This includes projects that focus on concept development, research, experimentation and professional interactions with peers.
Types of activities we fund
- professional development opportunities for established practitioners (especially directors, producers and technicians)
- costs towards travel for established practitioners (e.g. actor, director, technician, producer) to gain professional development either within New Zealand or overseas
- masterclasses, seminars and wānanga
- mentoring
- residencies
- workshops to develop a devised production concept
- script development workshops for scripts by playwrights who have achieved the successful production of at least two previous works.
Please note: contests and competitions that don't have a separate professional development component are unlikely to be funded.
Residencies
Theatre 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.
The Arts Board has established partnerships with a number of overseas institutions to host a New Zealand artist to undertake a residency.. For the most up-to-date information on these residencies please refer our international residencies page.
Please note: artists can also apply for project funding to undertake residencies at overseas institutions where Creative New Zealand does not have a formal partnership.
Mentoring
Support may be provided for established theatre practitioners and artists (the mentor) to mentor less experienced practitioners (the protégé). Mentoring may involve providing feedback on a specific project, helping with skill development, and/or building an understanding and knowledge of the professional theatre sector. Support usually takes the form of a fee for the mentor plus 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 his/her 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?
Assessment criteria
Your application will be assessed against the following 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 theatre practitioners to develop their skills
- opportunities for theatre practitioners 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
For specific help with your budget see our budget advice for your artform. For generic budget advice see the Application Workbook supplement (PDF, 308KB)
Support material
For general advice on gathering and presenting your support material go to the Application Workbook supplement (PDF, 308KB)
We require at least two copies of the whole application, including all your support material.
Applications to write a new script or devise a new production must provide a two-page synopsis of the intended story and/or up to ten pages of an extract or treatment that demonstrates the anticipated nature and quality of the intended work.
Applications to workshop a draft script must provide a clear written statement outlining the processes and intended outcomes for the workshop. Script workshop applications may be strengthened by including a written, external assessment (e.g. from a script adviser, dramaturg or director) indicating the areas in which it's anticipated that the workshop will enhance the production potential of the draft script.
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 theatre practitioners, artists, organisations and theatre companies to rehearse and present original New Zealand theatre works. Projects funded under this programme must result in a New Zealand theatre work premiering before a New Zealand audience.
Types of activities we fund
- direct support for theatre practitioners and arts organisations to rehearse and present a premiere production to a New Zealand audience.
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: commissions to write a new playscript and workshops to develop and/or refine a work separate from the premiere season should be submitted under the Creative and Professional Development funding programme.
Proposals to mount a production that has been previously produced or to present a play by an overseas writer should be submitted to the Presentation, Promotion and Audience Development programme.
Assessment criteria
Your application will be assessed against the following 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 (e.g. names and CVs) of the key cast and crew involved in the project
- confirmed venue and intended dates of the planned production. In the case of works to be performed free, we require detailed information on the intended benefits for all participants, including the performers and the audiences.
2: Contribution to artists' and/or artform development
A strong application will provide evidence of:
- artistic excellence
- artistic innovation
- involvement of experienced theatre 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 theatre practitioners to present a new New Zealand 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 supplement (PDF, 308KB)
Applications should include all sources of income, including box office (with projected capacity and ticket prices), sponsorship and other grants you've applied for. As a general rule, we don't support applications to the New Work funding programme if they don't reflect at least a 40% break-even in the selected venue.
We recommend that your budget includes between $4000 and $6000 to make a quality DVD recording of the premiere production.
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)
We require at least two copies of the whole application, including all your support material.
For script-based productions, we require two complete copies of the latest draft of the script. You should also include evidence of professional assessment and/or a summary of the outcomes of any workshopping that may already have occurred.
For productions based on a devised process, we require a two-page synopsis of the intended story and/or up to ten pages of an extract or treatment demonstrating the nature and quality of the intended production.
Presentation, Promotion and Audience Development funding programme
Support for international touring will be limited to travel and freight costs.
Under this programme, the Arts Board supports projects that present and promote works by New Zealand practitioners. We also support projects that develop and extend current and new audiences and markets for New Zealand theatre and theatre practitioners.
Types of activities we fund
- local tours of New Zealand theatre works that have been successfully premiered
- return seasons and remounts of previously produced New Zealand work
- productions of overseas works being mounted within New Zealand by New Zealand practitioners
- airfares and freight assistance for a New Zealand company presenting a previously produced New Zealand work overseas
- projects that aim to build and develop audiences for New Zealand theatre, both locally and internationally.
Touring
To be eligible to apply for a grant to tour a production, the application must show evidence that:
- the touring company has clearly identified its likely audience(s), and has a sound marketing and promotional plan to access these audience(s) in the centres to be toured
- the touring company will retain the services of an experienced, credible producer who will take responsibility for the management and promotion of the tour
- there is demand for the production in the area(s) to be toured (e.g. by presentation fees paid by a local festival, group or society; by venues reducing usual hirage costs; and/or by local groups sharing the financial cost of presenting the work in their area)
- the production will be appropriate to the selected venue(s).
Arts festivals
Applications from festivals presenting theatre, or whose primary focus is theatre, will be assessed by the Theatre 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 cannot fund projects that are:
- self-publishing activities
- 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
- 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. 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 (e.g. names and CVs) of the key cast and crew involved in the project
- identification of a credible, experienced producer to co-ordinate and manage the production and/or tour
- identification of market development opportunities*
- a thorough marketing plan specific to the project*
- confirmed itineraries and venues, in the case of a tour.*
In the case of works to be performed free, we require detailed information on the intended benefits for all participants, including the performers and the audiences.
* 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
- involvement of experienced theatre practitioner/s
- the project's potential to develop new audiences
- the project's potential to develop sustainable markets for New Zealand theatre
- the project's potential to foster interactions between communities and theatre professionals*
- 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 New Zealand theatre practitioners 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 supplement (PDF, 308KB)
Please show as income: projected ticket prices, anticipated box-office revenue, and any sponsorship or other support that has been secured and/or is planned.
Support for international touring will be limited to travel and freight costs.
For more help with your budgdt 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)
We require at least two copies of the whole application, including all your support material.
Applications to remount or tour a production should include:
- reviews or other critical reaction to a previous production (no more than five pages)
- written confirmation from the artists involved in the project, stating their availability
- a script or at least a five-minute VHS/DVD extract from the work to be remounted.
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.
Also, don't hesitate to contact staff.
Contact
For further information please contact:
Programme Administrator - Northern Region (based in Auckland)
Emma Ward
Tel: 09 373 3066
Email: mailto:notherrnadvice@creativenz.govt.nz
Programme Administrator - Central Region (based in Wellington)
Felicity Birch
Tel: 04 498 0735
Email: centraladvice@creativenz.govt.nz
Programme Administrator - Southern Region (based in Christchurch)
Kay McDowall
Tel: 03 366 2072
Email: southernadvice@creativenz.govt.nz
