New Music Project Kids

New Music Project Kids (NMPK) is funding ranging from $11,000 to $55,000 (including the Artist Creation Fee) that is available for multi-song children’s music projects, with a minimum of five songs

For NMPK funding decisions from July 2024, co-investment towards the NZ On Air total funding budget will no longer be required. However, you must show there is co-investment in other aspects of the project release that are not funded by NZ On Air.

As of January 2024, the mandatory Artist Creation Fee (ACF) which amounts to up to 10% of your total NZ On Air funding, will be applied in addition to your grant and disbursed exclusively in the final drawdown. The ACF covers creative work provided by the artist for the funded project. For example, if your funding commitment is $50,000, the addition of the ACF will bring the project's total NZ On Air funding to $55,000.

Third-party NZ based professional music company involvement with your Project or self-managed artist’s proven track record for releasing, marketing and promoting a project is mandatory.

Confirmation of the third-party NZ based professional music companies' involvement will be required in writing to go alongside your funding application.

Where the self-managed artists/contracting party will be responsible for releasing, marketing and promoting the project, NZ On Air requires you to provide as part of your application a detailed history of relevant releases along with the marketing, promotion and broadcast outcomes (i.e. streaming and viewing numbers) of each release in addition to any notable achievements of such releases.

If you, or the artist you are working with, can satisfy the outlined minimum criteria and have a multi-single project in the planning, you must email an Expression of Interest (EOI) to project@nzonair.govt.nz before applying to find out more about the New Music Project Kids application process.

Your EOI email must include:

• The artist's name
• Details of the supporting third-party Aotearoa based music company, or topline details of your proven track record to successfully release an EP or album as a self-managed artist
• A brief overview of the proposed project you are seeking funding for

Before you apply for New Music Project Kids funding, you must also ensure your project fits a set of minimum criteria.

The level of funding granted will depend on the level of co-investment from the third-party music company and the potential for the project to meet NZ On Air’s strategic objectives of broadcast outcomes. This would include the potential to achieve high levels of online streaming and engagement, and radio airplay.

If you are eligible to apply for New Music Project Kids funding, the full application must contain:

• A project overview, including KPI's
• Recording, production plan and budget
• Release plan for the project
• Marketing and promotional plan plus budget
• Full project timeline
• Evidence of co-funding commitment
• Artist track record
• Company track record for music releases
• Audio of 2 – 3 demo recordings, provided as MP3 files or as a link to download

Please note that the NZ On Air funding can only be used for activities that occurs from the application open date. Therefore, any costs incurred before this date (i.e. pre-production, recording costs, mixing, mastering etc.) are not eligible for funding. If the activity occurred before the application open date but was not invoiced until after the date, this cost is still not eligible.