DownloadThe Christchurch City Council Toi Ōtautahi Arts Strategy, supported by Rātā Foundation, is facilitating mentoring opportunities that contribute to building sustainable careers for the local arts, culture, and creative sector, and building capacity in the region.
The 2026 Incubator Programme focuses on supporting Ōtautahi artists, musicians, performers, filmmakers and writers to develop projects, large and small through providing mentoring with respected industry professionals.
This is an opportunity for those already working in the arts sector, or with a proven commitment to their practice looking to enter it, to help expand their skills and develop projects. This is supported through experienced mentors, and opportunities to collaborate with others on the same journey or currently working in the industry.
Applications are due at 11.59pm Sunday 15 March 2026.
This year the Toi Ōtautahi Incubator Programme has focus areas in Ngā Toi Māori and Creative Non-Fiction. However, it welcomes applications from all areas of creative practice, with the final programme shaped around the shared and individual practices and needs of this round’s applicants.
You might need support to shape an idea, acquire skills to develop an individual project, progress an existing work to performance, production or publication, pitch an idea, develop your business skills, such as learning how to read a contract, book a tour, sell your work, or create a website. Let us know about your project and how mentoring would help you achieve your goals.
How does it work?
By participating in this incubator programme, you can expect: – Up to 6 months of mentoring that might include a tutored masterclass, and/or a number of one-on-one sessions, and/or group sessions with your mentor. Mentoring sessions can be delivered online or in person. Some group sessions will be shared sessions with parallel incubators and development workshops. – help with project creation, production, delivery, and gaining relevant new skills – opportunities for whakawhānaungatanga and to develop a network and connections between artists, producers and audiences – support from an Arts Advisor where possible
Eligibility
To apply for the Incubator programme, you must: – have experience in your creative field, or creative experience you could build on in an expanded or new area of practice – be currently based in Ōtautahi Christchurch – be able to commit to meeting with mentors and developing your project, which may take place after work hours.
HOW TO APPLY
Toi Ōtautahi 2026 Incubator Programme : Applications close on Sunday 15 March (for mentorships starting in June and ending in November 2026).
To apply please share:
● A filled in Applicant Questionnaire – CLICK DOWNLOAD TAB ABOVE
● Your creative, industry related CV
● Examples of / links to previous work
● Two references – one character, one employer/tutor/teacher/manager – must include phone number and email
You will be advised of the outcome of your application in April.
Please check the eligibility criteria before applying.
Send your application or any questions to:
Jo Burzynska, Community Arts Advisor
email: jo.burzynska@ccc.govt.nz
Please note:
If the application is incomplete (i.e. any of the above requirements are not included) – it will not be considered.
MORE INFORMATION
Mentors
The final group of mentors will depend on the skills, experience, subject and focus of the participants (mentees), and the mentor’s overall availability. If you know the mentor you would like to work with, please indicate this in your application and we will invite them to participate.
Please note:
● This is not an accredited course and there is no cost to participate.
● Time commitment could be one to a few hours a week – do not give up your day job just yet!
● You will not be paid a stipend to attend.
● We will seek your feedback as we progress through to understand what tweaks can be made to improve your experience and future incubators. Think of yourself as a co-creator.
● We will do our best to match you with a mentor who has experience related to your interests and/or needs.
● Each Incubator is a contestable programme and there is limited mentoring available.
● There are no age restrictions.
● Your contact information may be shared with mentors, Arts Advisors, and fellow incubator participants.
ABOUT TOI ŌTAUTAHI
Our Vision/Our Kaupapa
● To create an environment where creative people want to live, work, and produce work.
● To grow awareness of, and appreciation for, Ngā Toi Māori.
● To be recognised as both a contemporary and heritage centre of the arts in Aotearoa.
● To instil a sense of pride among locals.
● To improve people’s wellbeing, sense of identity and connectivity.
● To build resilience and capacity among the local arts community.
● To advocate, and champion our local arts, artists, organisations and position us as a city that welcomes and celebrates creativity diversity.
● To begin the process of changing the perception of Ōtautahi, among both local and national audiences, creating a sense of momentum.
Strategic Action Areas/Nga Wāhanga Mahi Rautaki
● Resource – support new ways of funding and investing in the arts, establish a range of residency, mentoring, and exchange opportunities and to ensure transparency and clarity of processes for accessing funds and resources so that the arts and artists thrive.
● Ngā Toi Māori – cultivate opportunities for ngā toi Māori to develop and be presented so that Māori culture is visible and celebrated by the community.
● Connection – improve promotion of the arts. Enhance communication so that there is better understanding of the role of the arts and artists in our communities and for our city, and ensure there is opportunity to explore a diversity of art forms.
● Create and Encounter – support opportunities to create and to experience the arts across a range of places and spaces so that a diversity of art forms and of cultures are visible, ideas can be tested and shared, and the city and region is activated.
● Inclusion – increase opportunities to initiate, lead, and to participate in the arts, and support a range of wellbeing programmes so that our communities are connected and resilient.
Mā te pohewa mā te auaha hoki, ka whakapuaki ngā kura e huna ana.
With imagination and creativity a hidden jewel can be revealed.
The Toi Ōtautahi 2026 Incubators are supported by Rātā Foundation and the Christchurch City Council.
