Whakahoa Kaitoi Whanaketanga Creative New Zealand Deaf and Disabled Artists Fellowship 2026
Arts Access Aotearoa is calling for applications to the 2026 Fellowship.
Presented by Arts Access Aotearoa and sponsored by Creative New Zealand, it supports a Deaf or disabled artist, turi Māori or tāngata whaikaha Māori artist, or an artist who has a disability, impairment or lived experience of mental distress to develop their creative practice and focus on artistic development.
It is an opportunity to take time to explore, learn and deepen your creative practice.
The recipient will receive $10,000, plus up to $5000 for access costs. Application close 5pm Friday 19 December 2025. Applicants will be notified of outcomes by early February 2026.
Two information sessions where you can learn more about the fellowship and ask questions will be hosted on Zoom. These will be NZSL interpreted. The dates are:
- Tuesday 25 November at 1pm
- Wednesday 26 November at 6pm
Accessible versions of this information
About the fellowship
This fellowship offers time and support for an artist to:
- Explore, experiment or test new ideas
- Reflect on or refresh their practice
- Learn from others (for example through mentorship, training or research)
- Develop confidence, skills and artistic direction
There is no expectation to create a finished work, exhibition, performance or publication. You may make work as part of your exploration, but the main focus should be on growth not output.
Arts Access Aotearoa embraces the diverse way that Deaf and disabled people create and experience art. You are welcome to include anything that helps us understand what this means for you.
There is no requirement that your art related to themes of disability.
Access support
We know applying for opportunities can be difficult. If you need support to apply, we can help you find it. Each fellowship includes up to $5,000 for access costs, such as NZSL interpretation, support workers, accessible travel or adaptive equipment.
Aims of the fellowship
- To offer development opportunity specifically for a Deaf or disabled, turi Māori or tāngata whaikaha Māori artist, or an artist with a disability, impairment, or lived experience of mental distress.
- To support an artist, to create, explore and develop new ideas or approaches in their creative practice.
- To enable personal and professional growth
- To connect Arts Access Aotearoa with Deaf and disabled artists and share their creative journeys.
We want this to be a mana-enhancing experience. Anything you share will be kept confidential. You may request feedback after the assessment process.
Most artists will spend around 200 hours over nine months on their fellowship. You may choose to work with a mentor.
Eligibility
You must be:
- A practicing artist (self-taught or formally trained)
- Deaf or disabled, turi Māori, tāngata whaikaha Māori, have an impairment, or have lived experience of mental distress
- Aged 18 years or older
- A New Zealand citizen or resident
You cannot have been a previous recipient of an Arts Access Aotearoa fellowship.
What you can and can’t use the funding for
The fellowship cannot be used for:
- academic study
- competitions or fundraising
- previous or outstanding expenses
- primarily for the presentation of a public outcome (exhibition, event or publication)
The fellowship can be used for:
- artists fees or salary
- materials or equipment
- reasonable travel related to your development
- mentoring, learning or research activities
How we make decisions
All eligible applications will be reviewed by Arts Access Aotearoa staff, who will create a shortlist. An external panel of Deaf and/or disabled artists and arts professionals will assess the shortlist.
Applications are assessed against the following four areas:
- Creative focus – what area of your creative practice do you want to explore or strengthen?
- Your practice – what do you make, and what experience or examples show your artistic journey?
- Process – how will you explore, learn or experiment during the fellowship?
- Growth – how will this opportunity help you develop as an artist?
How to apply
Step 1: check the dates
Application close 5pm, Friday 19 December 2025. You’ll hear from us by early February 2026.
Your fellowship should begin within two months of acceptance and finish within nine months (March – November 2026)
Step 2: prepare your answers
These prompts may help:
Creative focus
- What area of your practice do you want to develop or explore?
- Why is this the right time for you to do this work?
- Will anyone else be involved (for example, a mentor)
Your practice
- Tell us about yourself as an artist
- What experience do you have that connects to your development focus?
- How will you know your exploration is going well?
Process
- How will you approach this fellowship?
- What steps or experiments will you take?
- Include a simple timeline and a budget showing how you will use the $10,000
Growth
- What barriers will this fellowship help you remove?
- How do you hope to grow or change as an artist?
- What do you want to be able to do or understand by the end of the fellowship?
Step 3: Complete your application form
Applications can be submitted in alternative formats, for example audio files, video and in NZSL. Please also return a signed application form confirming your eligibility.
Step 4: Gather your support material
Please only send digital material, not physical copies.
Include:
- A completed application form
- A fellowship proposal
- A timeline and budget
- A 1-2 page artist CV
- Up to three examples of your work (images, links, or short files)
- Up to of two letters of support, recent and specific to this application, with contact details.
Files up to 5 MB can be emailed; larger files (up to 100MB) can be shared via WeTransfer or Dropbox.
Step 5: Send your application
Email your completed application and materials to fellowships@artsaccess.org.nz
If sending via WeTransfer or Dropbox please include your name in the file title.
If you have any questions or need support:
Phone 04 802 4191 Email fellowships@artsaccess.org.nz
