Arts Event Fund 2026-27

We are here for you

Your experience applying for Arts Event funding matters to us.

We understand that applying for funding can feel overwhelming, particularly if this is your first time applying. You are encouraged to contact the Community Development team if you'd like support completing the application, understanding eligibility requirements, or would like us to review your application before submitting.

Please contact us by phone on 06 356 8199 or email: communityfunding@pncc.govt.nz

Before you begin, here's a checklist of information and documents to have on hand to help complete your application: 

• celebrate, showcase or develop arts, culture and creativity
• promote cultural vibrancy and arts participation
• promote Palmerston North as a place to visit and stay
• showcase Palmerston North's unique story
• generate positive media coverage for the city and region.

We're interested in events that will

• boost our city's reputation
• create positive outcomes for our community now
• continue to positively influence and benefit our community after they're finished
• contribute to a diverse range of events across the region
• help us to achieve our city's four goals of Council’s strategic direction.

We'll support you with

Operational costs for your event including:

• event delivery
• production
• marketing
• equipment hire
• venue hire
• salaries, wages or professional fees
• travel & accommodation costs to bring artists, judges or organisers to Palmerston North.

See the Support and Funding Policy and Guidelines for more information on funding criteria, eligibility and costs supported. 

We want to grow the capability and capacity of our city's arts event organisers

We plan to offer workshops on event management and marketing. Successful applicants will receive first option to attend these training opportunities.

Not sure if this is the right fund?

Fill out a Community Funding enquiry form. We will get back to you with advice on the right fund for your project.

• We are either a registered company, an incorporated society, or trust, or
• a local community with an umbrella organisation willing to take responsibility for the funding application.
• We are in the final stages of planning an arts event.
• Our public-facing arts event will take place in Palmerston North (wider Manawatū will also be considered).
• We have read and understood the programme guidelines.
• Our organisation, community or umbrella organisation does not owe any outstanding reports or money to Palmerston North City Council as a result of previous funding or grants.

The personal information Palmerston North City Council collects may include your name, addresses, email address, telephone numbers, information on your use of our services or facilities and any other information provided by you in connection with, or specifically related to your communications with us or, your use of our services or facilities.

Collecting your information

• We may collect personal information about you when you or someone acting on your behalf provides information to us directly.
• We may collect personal information about you from other organisations, entities or persons.
• When you visit one of our websites, we may use technology solutions such as “cookies” to provide you with better access to tailored information and services on the websites and to better serve you when you return to them.
• Our internet service providers may also make a record of your visit and log information for statistical purposes. This information is only analysed on a bulk basis for broad demographic content. Individual use is not analysed. We do not attempt to identify users or their browsing activities unless they choose to give us personal information while using our website.

For more information on the council's privacy policy, see our privacy statement.

All known conflicts of interest (whether actual, potential or perceived) must be declared. Council officers involved in the funding process are also required to declare any conflicts of interest.

If your application is successful, we'd like your help to promote the Arts Event Fund. 

As part of your report back to Council on the outcome of your project, we'd like you to include up to 10 high quality photos of your event or activity, in both landscape (horizontal) and portrait (vertical) form.

Any good quality video footage you have would also be great to add.

We may include some of this content in our funding outcome reports to our Elected Members, or to showcase some of the projects to ratepayers, and share with the community how their funding is positively contributing to arts and culture in our city.