30/07/2026
Update on the Dunedin Arts Festival funding.
Earlier this year we applied to Creative New Zealand for organisational support to deliver the 2027 Dunedin Arts Festival and beyond. Devastatingly a few weeks ago, we were informed that we were unsuccessful in our application and were awarded no funding at all – the first time in the history of the organisation that we have received such a result.
This is despite CNZ telling us that our application was recommended for funding by the assessors, with positive feedback about all we were doing for our community. We were informed that we missed out because other applications were given a higher priority than us.
We were shocked, devastated and confused.
As this news has filtered through the industry, we have received messages from across the country, and the world – messages of support, but also like us - shock, devastation and confusion.
We have had several meetings with Creative New Zealand, with more still to come as we try to ascertain the reasons why we, a well-proven provider of arts experiences to Dunedin’s under-served community, wasn’t considered a priority.
Sadly, ours was not the only Southern organisation to receive this or a similar result – less than 10% of this round of funding was allocated to Te Waipounamu. Several of our colleagues are in similar positions. We are in constant conversations and supporting these organisations as they are in turn supporting us.
Decisions are being made that not only affect the arts experiences being delivered to our community, but also people’s jobs and careers. These decisions will have an impact on Ōtepoti, the greater Otago and the whole Island.
Like everyone else, we are very aware that CNZ’s funding availability is extremely limited due to the decades-long financial neglect of the Arts and that they have had to make difficult decisions within a constrained financial environment. This can’t have been easy – especially when they are currently facing budget cuts and job losses, but inequity in their decision-making across the North and South Islands makes this pill even more difficult to swallow.
The Dunedin Arts Festival brings approximately $4-$5 million to the Dunedin economy each festival, as well as the immeasurable wellbeing and social benefits that come with arts experiences for both artists and audiences. Nationally, the Arts as a sector contributes upwards of $17 billion to New Zealand’s GDP annually. In comparison, Sport contributes $8 billion and red meat (lamb, beef, etc) $17 billion. Yet, the Arts’ funding has been slowly eroding for over 20 years.
So, what now?
We are not rushing in to make any big decisions. Our Board are meeting regularly to weigh up all our options. As soon as we make a decision regarding our next steps, we will let you know.
We will still be delivering the inaugural TAHI Ōtepoti in October – Dunedin’s dedicated one-person performance festival in collaboration with TAHI: Festival of Solo Performance (Wellington) and we are excited about this new offering that we know you will love.
We acknowledge and are incredibly grateful to all in our community that have supported the Festival for our first 25 years – we wouldn’t be where we are without you. Hopefully we will be around for at least another 25 more years.
