For museums, galleries, iwi groups
Strategic Project Grants are about thinking strategically and working collaboratively, and have been developed to support projects with long-term outcomes that benefit museums, galleries, iwi groups, their taonga, and their communities.
We welcome applications from organisations of all sizes and stages of development, as well as collaborative applications from groups of organisations. There are two funding rounds each year. Applications for 2011 have now closed.
Applications must not exceed $5,000.
What sort of projects do we support?
Working strategically – working towards your long term goals, a project that is part of your big picture. Projects might include:
- Business case investigations for new areas of business or developments
- The development of planning and policy documents for more effective and efficient museum operations
Working collaboratively – working with other groups/museums/galleries in your community. Projects might include:
- Establishment and coordination of regional networks and/or special interest networks including regional workshops and/or strategies
- Collaborative promotion and marketing
- Development of regional cultural strategies
- Development of an educational resource
- Other collaborative projects that are over and above your normal operations
Working towards a sustainable future – working towards a secure and fundable future for your museum. Projects might include:
- Review of governance structure
- Sustainability audits
Examples of strategic projects
- A museum or gallery discovers that they don’t have an adequate framework for governance in place, and they are questioning their sustainability. They want to get a suitable contractor in to look at how their whole museum operation can be more robust and sustainable. They need to clearly define their future direction, and this project will benefit the museum in the long term.
- A regional cluster group of museum staff and volunteers get together from time to time to discuss their issues and ideas. One idea they have is to establish a regional strategy for working more closely with local iwi that will enable a cohesive and inclusive framework for how the museums display taonga and tell local stories. They decide to apply for a Strategic Project Grant. Their application is submitted as a cluster – they demonstrate consultation with local iwi, and have clearly defined the process and articulated the outcomes of creating the strategy. They have the backing and support of the district council, and have identified project costs and milestones.
- A group of four hapū have come together to develop an iwi cultural centre. They have been working with local and national organisations, including museums, National Services Te Paerangi, schools, cultural institutions, their local hapū, and their iwi Trust Board over the past three years to plan and develop the concept for the cultural centre. There has been positive engagement with all of their hapū, and they have already received advice and support from many of these organisations. Now they are at the stage where they need to develop key planning and policy documents for the cultural centre. They are going to apply to the Strategic Project Grant to assist with the development of these documents.
How much can I apply for?
We have a modest pool of $35,000 to distribute at each funding round, and applications are capped at $5000 excluding GST.
Projects we don't support
Sorry, we don’t support capital projects or capital items. That includes building projects and major redevelopments and any item that lasts longer than 12 months and costs more than $500 exclusive of GST. Unsure whether your project is a capital project? Contact us.
Other projects we don’t support:
- Everyday operations including:
- equipment purchase
- shelving
- salaries
- The acquisition or conservation of artworks or artifacts
- Projects specifically supported by other funders, including:
- oral history projects – funded by National Library of New Zealand
- educational programmes – funded by the Ministry of Education
- feasibility studies – funded by Lotteries Environment and Heritage
- capital items and projects – funded by Lotteries Environment and Heritage
- Projects that have already been completed
- Projects from businesses or profit-making entities
- Loan repayments
- Overseas travel
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for these Grants, you must represent a legally constituted non-profit organisation such as an incorporated society or a charitable trust. If you have applied and are waiting for confirmation, just let us know in your application.
If your organisation does not hold legal status, you may need to work with an ‘umbrella’ organisation to put in your application.
If you are the recipient of a Helping Hands Grant, please note that you cannot apply for a Strategic Project Grant in the same financial year.
Can whānau or hapū apply?
Yes, but through their legally constituted iwi organisation. It will strengthen your case if that organisation supports your project for the duration of the contract (usually up to 12 months). We encourage whānau and hapū to consider the aim of their project within the broader iwi strategy – how the project helps to develop the iwi as a whole.
For further information or to discuss your project, please contact Kylie Ngaropo, Manager Iwi Development: kylie.ngaropo@tepapa.govt.nz or freephone 0508 678 743.
Contact us to talk about your project before applying
Call our freephone helpline on 0508 678 743 or get in touch with your Development Officer:
Victoria Esson
Acting General Manager – North Island: vesson@tepapa.govt.nz or call 04 381 7293
Judith Taylor
Museum Development Officer – South Island: juditht@tepapa.govt.nz or call 029 601 0410
Gavin Reedy
Iwi Development Officer: gavinr@tepapa.govt.nz or call 029 601 0440
How do I apply?
Download and complete the application form below and send to:
National Services Te Paerangi
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
PO Box 467
WELLINGTON
NSTP Strategic Project Grants application form (DOC, 149kB)
Please don’t post or email your application to a particular staff member. If someone is away we might not get the application until after the closing date.
You will be contacted if further information is required once the applications have been assessed. You will be advised of the outcome one month after the closing date for applications.