Whakahoa Kaitoi Whanaketanga Fellowship 2026 frequently asked questions

Making an application

1. Can I ask someone to help me complete my application?

Yes.

2. What happens if I miss answering a question and my application is not complete?

We want our assessor to see your best possible application. If there is missing information, we will get in touch with you to add it before assessment.

Eligibility

3. Do I need to be a practising artist to apply for Deaf and Disabled Artist Fellowships?

Yes. This fellowship is for people who have an existing creative practice. You could be established, emerging, or just beginning. You will need to show evidence of your arts practice as part of your application. We encourage applications from a wide range of artists, regardless of where you are in your career.

4. I want to do a collaborative project or work as a duo, group or collective. Are we eligible?

No. This fellowship is for individuals to undertake a project. However, you can work with others if their experience and expertise support your project’s development. Please include details of any collaborators in your application.

5. Can I apply for an existing or partially funded project?

No. The fellowship is to support a new project that can be achieved through the fellowship award.

6. I’ve previously been awarded an Arts Access Aotearoa Fellowship. Can I apply again?

No. We love that you had such a wonderful experience that you want to do it again, but we want to offer the opportunity to new fellows. However, if you were previously unsuccessful, you are welcome to apply again. If you’d like feedback on your earlier application, please contact fellowships@artsaccess.org.nz.

Budget

7. Do I need evidence of quotes for costs?

No, you do not need to provide quotes, but your figures must reflect accurate market costs.

8. What is a reasonable hourly rate for fees?

We recommend paying yourself and any collaborators no less than $30.00 per hour (or more, depending on experience). For more information, see this guide by Art Makers Aotearoa.

9. Should I pay for community consultation?

Yes. It is essential to recognise the value of community participants by paying them for their time and knowledge. Allow for this in your budget.

10. Do I need to pay mentors?

Yes. Remember to include mentoring fees in your budget.

11. Can I use part of my fellowship for access-related costs?

Yes, for your individual access needs. There is also an additional $5,000 available for access costs so you can dedicate the full fellowship award to your creative practice. Get in touch with Arts Access Aotearoa if you have questions.

12. Can I include travel in my fellowship budget?

A small amount of travel may be included if it is essential to achieving your fellowship goals.

Technical support material

13. Can I send examples of my art by post or courier?

No. Please do not send physical copies. All support material must be digital.

14. What digital formats are acceptable for audio?

Please use MP3 files.

15. What digital formats are acceptable for video?

Please use H.264 or MP4 files or upload a private video to YouTube or Vimeo and send the link.

16. What size files can be included in an email?

Please send files totalling no more than 5MB per email.

17. How do I send larger files?

Send large files via WeTransfer or Dropbox. Do not send files larger than 100MB.

Ownership and promotion

18. Do I own the artwork I make as part of the fellowship?

Yes. Artists keep ownership of their artwork. Arts Access Aotearoa may request permission to share images or video for publicity purposes.

19. Do I need to share my project outcomes?

Yes. Arts Access Aotearoa would like to share fellowship outcomes with the arts sector, sponsors and the wider community.

Payment

20. If successful, when will I receive my fellowship money?

Payment can be negotiated based on your circumstances. Generally, half of the fellowship is paid once you sign the contract. The second instalment is paid after you submit your mid-project assessment report.

Accountability and reporting

21. Do I need to sign a contract?

Yes. You will need to sign a contract confirming your agreement to the fellowship’s terms.

22. Is there a mid-project check-up?

Yes. You will complete a mid-point assessment so Arts Access Aotearoa can confirm you are on track with your project.

23. Is a final report required?

Yes. When you have finished your project, you will need to complete a fellowship evaluation and supply evidence of your final work.

24. What happens if things go wrong?

If problems arise, please contact Arts Access Aotearoa staff as soon as possible. We are here to support you and help you stay on track.