COVID-19 has presented unprecedented challenges for Aotearoa. The cultural sector has been hit particularly hard. As part of the COVID-19 Recovery Budget, the Government made a landmark investment to help ensure the sector not only survives – it adapts and thrives.
Latest updates
The Arts and Culture COVID Recovery Programme announced in May 2020 includes more than 25 initiatives designed to deliver short-term relief as well as longer-term support for the sector.
Manatū Taonga is leading the suite of initiatives in partnership with funded agencies and sector stakeholders, to deliver the total of $495 million over four years. This includes both short-term relief and emergency relief to respond to the Delta outbreak, as well as Omicron relief and longer-term support to assist the arts, culture and heritage to maintain its critical role and contribution to Aotearoa.
Funding initiatives
Pūtea Tautoko mō ngā Huihuinga Aro Toi
Arts and Culture Event Support Scheme
This scheme gives arts and cultural sector event organisers the confidence to plan and deliver events right through to the end of January 2023. Key criteria were extended on 8 April 2022 — event organisers can now register new events, and there is support for events during the first 6-weeks after a region moves to Orange. This scheme is open for registrations.
Cultural Sector Innovation Fund
The Innovation Fund supports innovative projects that improve the sustainability and resilience of the sector. Round one is being delivered through a nationwide events series, Te Urungi: Innovating Aotearoa.
Te Tahua Whakahaumaru
Creative Arts Recovery and Employment (CARE) Fund
The CARE Fund provides $70 million over three years to create employment and training opportunities, ensure vital skills, talent and creative infrastructure are not lost, and maintain and expand public access to creative and cultural experiences.
Te Tahua Whakakaha
Cultural Sector Capability Fund
The Capability Fund provides $20 million over two years to support the cultural sector to adapt to the COVID-19 environment by funding activities that build skills and knowledge, and provide access to advice, services, tools and resources.
Mātauranga Māori
Te Awe Kōtuku programme
The Mātauranga Māori Te Awe Kōtuku programme provides $20 million over two years to fund at least 18 diverse initiatives which will support iwi, hapū, whānau and Māori communities to safeguard at-risk mātauranga from the ongoing threat of COVID-19.
This Fund is now closed for applications.
Other initiatives
- Cultural Sector Emergency Relief Fund
- Cross-sector initiatives
- Mātauranga Māori
- Arts
- Music
- Heritage
- Pasifika
- Screen
Whakapā mai ki a mātou
Contact us
For all queries, please contact the Manatū Taonga team at [email protected].