Subsidies and grants

The Performing Arts Foundation (PAF) subsidies and grants

PAF supports performance arts events through venue subsidies and grants.

The foundation is funded through a $1.50 levy which is included in every ticket purchased at the St James Theatre and The Opera House.

Wellington based performing arts companies or individuals can apply for funding to support venue rental of the Opera House; or for a grant to support many types of activity, including further advanced study or funding toward developing or realising a Wellington based performance. If an applicant would like to apply more than once, they will be considered for a maximum of three consecutive applications in total.

Approximately 75% of funding is allocated to venue rental subsidies, 25% is allocated to grants.

High on the agenda is directing resources specifically to involve youth participation in, and appreciation of, the performing arts.

The Performing Arts Fund prefers to fund activity that is additional to the production aimed at involving youth and young people in some way. Subsidised tickets are not considered a focus for this fund.

For any further questions, email Gus Sharp, Event Sales & Planning Manager.

Funding applications open

The following funding applications to the Performing Arts Fund are open:

Round 1 – open until 30 September 2022
Round 2 – open until 1 December 2022
Round 3 – open until February 28 2023
Round 4 – open until May 31 2023

Applications due by these dates to be reviewed by the board. See the criteria and considerations below for more information.

Criteria and considerations

Anyone is eligible who believes that their project/event meets one of the below criteria:

Grant to further advanced study (applications for grants must be accompanied by an affidavit from an Institution or appropriately qualified person stating that the study/experience would make a useful impact on the development of the person concerned).
Project that increases participation in theatrical performance, e.g. opportunity for active participation by the community and/or which involves local or regional performing, production, technical crews and/or a production which enables student performers to bring their work to a wider audience. Grants for productions at theatres other than St James Theatre or The Opera House may be made at the discretion of trustees. In this instance preference will be given to New Zealand works
Project that increases community wide interest in the theatre, i.e. presentation of new works
Project that is directed at interesting or involving children/young people in the theatre, e.g. a work which is specifically directed at this target audience or a programme which involves children/young people. Please note, preference will be given to New Zealand works
Project intended to raise funds to support activities of value to the community, e.g. Salvation Army, Variety Club, Children’s Grief Centre

Anyone is eligible for a venue subsidy of 25% of contracted performance day rental + GST for any performance in the St James Theatre or The Opera House, if they meet one of the below criteria:

Project that increases participation in theatrical performance, e.g.: opportunity for active participation by the community and/or which involves local or regional performing arts groups, production, technical crews and/or a production which enables student performers to bring their work to a wider audience.
Project that increases community wide interest in the theatre, i.e. presentation of new works. Please note, preference will be given to New Zealand works.
Project that is directed at interesting or involving children/young people in the theatre, i.e. a new work which is specifically directed at this target audience or a programme which involves children/young people. Please note, preference will be given to New Zealand works.
Project intended to raise funds to support activities of value to the community, e.g. Salvation Army, Variety Club, Children’s Grief Centre

Please note, other sources of funding granted to applicants will be taken into consideration when reviewing applications.

Wellington City Council venue subsidy

If you're a local community group or organisation, you might be eligible for a subsidy to cover the cost of venue hire with Venues Wellington.

Wellington City Council offers $245,000 in subsidies each year to support the community and make our special venues and facilities more accessible to Wellington-based community groups, in line with their Annual Plan.

To be eligible, your event must be free or low-cost, and benefit the wider community in some way – whether that's culturally, environmentally, socially or economically. In the past, these grants have supported family days, children's art festivals, international cultural celebrations and community concerts.

Subsidies are available for:

TSB Arena
TSB Auditorium (Shed 6)
Michael Fowler Centre
St James Theatre
The Opera House

Criteria and considerations

Visit the Wellington City Council Venues Subsidy page for details on the application criteria and process wellington.govt.nz
To register a funding application visit the Wellington City Council funding portal wellington.govt.nz
Contact Venues Wellington to reserve the dates for your booking and for a quote for your venue hire costs as you will need this for your application.

Priority is given to Wellington groups in financial need who have not received other funding from the Council, or other funding providers, for the same purpose.

These grants are not normally given for catering and technical costs, social functions, fundraising events, and events whose primary purpose is religious ministry or political lobbying. Conferences and expos without a strong community involvement and focus are also not usually considered.

Should you be successful with your application for a WCC venue subsidy then that amount will be used to offset any monies already paid to Venues Wellington. Should your application be unsuccessful, or should the grant fail to cover all of your venue hire charges then Venues Wellington will invoice the balance outstanding along with event costs for any other services the Hirer may require. In accepting the WCC venue subsidy you agree to use Venues Wellington preferred technical and catering partners for any associated requirements.

You might like

Room
Service
Event type
Venue
Recently viewed

Subsidies and grants

The Performing Arts Foundation (PAF) subsidies and grants

Funding applications open

Criteria and considerations

Wellington City Council venue subsidy

Criteria and considerations

Share this

You might like