Funding is now open for Community Arts Grants for this financial year (2026-27). Apply now by filling out an 'Expression of Interest' form.
Welcome to the Application page for Franklin Local Board Community Arts Grant. Here you will find information about how to apply via an Expression of Interest (EOI) submission. You can also contact the Arts Broker, Stephen Bain, for help or to answer questions by email or make a time to speak in person. All projects must take place between Sept 2026 and July 2027. The closing date for this round is 15 August 2026.
To submit an EOI, we'll ask you: - what your idea is, who's involved, when you plan to do it, and what the community involvement or outcomes are. - a budget Dowload a summary of the form so that you can prepare your answers.
Before you fill out the application form, check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for details on how to apply. Make sure you read question 3 - Franklin Local Board Objectives so help explain how your project aligns strategically.
FAQs
1. WHAT AND WHO ARE COMMUNITY ARTS GRANTS FOR?
The Franklin Local Board Arts Broker Grants is a small fund designed to respond to local creative arts activities and ventures. In the past we have helped support community art events, artist workshops, theatrical and musical productions, festivals, public artworks, development opportunities, weekly meet-ups, youth and schools art projects. Grants generally range from between $500 - $2,500 (sometimes greater for exceptional events). Our aim is to invigorate local arts opportunities for people working and living across the Franklin region, enabling access and creating opportunities for anyone engaging with the arts, they may be professional or amateur artists. The arts benefit our communities in many ways; finding ways to think and act collectively, raising awareness of important issues, enabling participation with people from different backgrounds.
2. WHO IS FRANKLIN LOCAL BOARD?
Franklin Local Board are your democratically elected representatives for the Franklin region, spanning from the eastern Pōhutukawa Coast on Hauraki Gulf, right across to Manukau Harbour on the west, including Awhitu Peninsular. You can check your local board by entering your address here.
You can find out about the Franklin Local Board, including events, planning and grants here.
3. WHAT ARE THE FRANKLIN LOCAL BOARD OBJECTIVES FOR THE YEAR 2026/27 ?
Outcomes sought by the Franklin Local Board The Franklin Local Board have identified 6 outcomes towards making Franklin a better place to live and work. You can read about these in more detail in the Franklin Local Board Plan. The Local Board plan is aimed at enabling community groups and mana whenua to lead or participate in the delivery of services and initiatives that meet local needs, reflect local identity, and that demonstrate manaakitanga (care/support) and kaitiakitanga (protection/guardianship) Each year the board sets priorities based on 5 principles,.
Community New and established communities are helped to come together to celebrate diversity of place, perspective and culture and in doing so create a shared sense of safety, belonging and prosperity.
Natural environment We participate in and enable the protection and restoration of the Hauraki Gulf, Manukau Harbour, local rivers and streams, and taonga species so that we have a healthy local eco-system that supports community and cultural well-being.
Built environment Our built environment is planned and delivered to be effective and efficient, so our assets meet the needs of current and future Franklin communities, reflect local character and are affordable to maintain.
Economic development Franklin communities and businesses are actively supported to participate in and gain benefit from economic development opportunity generated from growth and to participate in the business of Auckland Council service delivery.
Transport Franklin’s town centres and villages offer safe travel by foot, bike and scooter, and can access public transport. Our roading network is planned, designed and delivered to keep up with development and to support effective freight transportation. You will find these Auckland-wide commitments woven through this plan: Māori Outcomes, Climate Outcomes, Equitable Outcomes.
4. AM I ELIGIBLE?
All projects must benefit people living and working in Franklin. Anyone living or working in Franklin is eligible to apply, in some cases you may include people with expertise from outside the region, or collaborate with people from other regions to bring art and cultural experiences to the people of Franklin.
5. CAN I GET HELP IN FILLING THE APPLICATION FORM?
Yes. Sometimes application forms do your head in. Email the Arts Broker, Stephen on [email protected] to get help filling in the form, or developing your idea to express yourself clearly.
6. WHAT KINDS OF PROJECTS ARE COMMUNITY ARTS?
Generally speaking, anything that has Art as it's primary intention and is community led will be considered. Graze through previous projects for inspiration using the Menu at the top of this page.
7. DOES THE TIMING MATTER?
Yes. We receive yearly funding for grants, so projects need to take place between September 2026 and July 2027. Submissions are open till 15 August 2026. If your project spans across more than one year get in touch and we’ll figure out how best to apply.
8. DO you have any tips ON WRITING a good proposal?
These things might help: - have a strong creative idea driving it - fit within one of the project areas listed above - give equal weight to creative ideas and community benefit - have strong local connections
Your arts broker can also provide project support in a number of ways other than just funding, from assistance navigating Council processes to connecting you with other creative people or community organisations or writing a press release - let's talk about what you might need to make the project happen.
9. Are there other places I can get funding?
The Franklin Local Board also offers general local board grants rounds available throughout 2026 & 2027, read more and apply to them here. You can also apply to the Creative Communities Scheme for funding for your project, while projects of national significance might be more suited to applying to Creative New Zealand.
There may be other places you can apply for community projects, speak to the arts broker about other possibilities.