The Cultural Sector Innovation Fund
This fund is now closed. View list of funding recipients.
The Cultural Sector Innovation Fund was designed to support innovative projects that improve the sustainability and resilience of the sector, provide commercial opportunities, and improve access and participation.
Innovative projects that met one or more of these outcomes and safeguard Mātauranga Maori were also a focus of the fund. Round one of the Innovation Fund was delivered through a new approach to arts funding: a nationwide event series called Te Urungi: Innovating Aotearoa.
Applications for the fund closed in June 2022.
Individuals and organisations could apply for:
- Seed funding of $20,000
- Project funding.
Manatū Taonga delivered 17 Te Urungi events across Aotearoa, receiving 529 applications to the Innovation Fund. Just over $32.7 million was awarded to 185 projects across Aotearoa.
View list of funding recipients
Future of the Cultural Sector Innovation Fund
The Cultural Sector Innovation Fund was one of three original delivery funds for the Cultural Sector Regeneration Fund. The others were the Creative Arts Recovery and Employment Fund and the Cultural Sector Capability Fund.
In June 2022 it was announced that the remaining funding from the Cultural Sector Regeneration Fund would be delivered as a single fund, combining the outcomes of the three previously separate funds.
Organisations who received seed funding through round one of the Innovation Fund are encouraged to review the details for the revised Cultural Sector Regeneration Fund, which may provide an avenue for further funding.
An overview of the Cultural Sector Regeneration Fund is now available. It opens for applications on 27 July 2022.
Updated on 9th February 2023