Venue subsidies and grants

PAF Trustees will review all applications at the Board meetings which take place in the weeks following the round closing.

To be eligible, your project or event needs meet to 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, for example, the 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 is given to New Zealand works.
• Project that increases community-wide interest in the theatre, such as presentation of new works.
• Project that is directed at interesting or involving children/young people in the theatre, for example, a work which is specifically directed at this target audience or a programme which involves children/young people. Preference is given to New Zealand works
• Project intended to raise funds to support activities of value to the community, for example, Salvation Army, Variety Club, Children’s Grief Centre.

The venue subsidy covers 25% of the contracted performance day rental fee plus GST, for any performance in the St James Theatre or The Opera House

To be eligible for a venue subsidy, you need to meet one of the following criteria.

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

Note: other funding sources granted to applicants will be taken into consideration when reviewing applications.

Application forms

To apply for a grant or venue rental subsidies, you need to complete all sections of the relevant application form:

Theatre Performance Rental Subsidy Application Form [DOC, 64KB]

PAF Grant Application Form [DOC, 94KB]

Where to send your application

Venues Wellington is the administrator of this fund on behalf of the PAF Board. Applications need to be submitted to the Trust Administrator via email at clark.mathews@wellingtonnz.com

Processing your application

Once you’ve submitted an application, it can take up to four weeks for it to be processed. All applications will be reviewed by the PAF Board.

For any further questions, email Clark Mathews our PAF Administrator, at clark.mathews@wellingtonnz.com.

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.

Previously 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.

What isn’t covered

Wellington City Council venue subsidy 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.

To apply for a Wellington City Council Venues Subsidy:

1. Visit the Wellington City Council Venues Subsidy page for more detail on the application criteria and process.
2. Contact Venues Wellington to reserve the dates for your booking and request a quote for venue hire costs. You will need this for your application.
3. To apply, register online through Wellington City Council’s Funding portal.

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.

• If your application for a Wellington City Council venue subsidy is successful, the amount approved will be used to offset any payments that have already been made to Venues Wellington.
• If your application is not successful, or the grant doesn’t cover all of your venue hire charges, Venues Wellington will invoice you for the balance outstanding along with any additional event service costs.
• By accepting the Wellington City Council venue subsidy, you agree to use Venues Wellington’s preferred technical and catering partners for your event.