Equaliser (EQ) grants 2023 Applications open

Auckland City of Music (ACOM), supported by NZ Music Commission, NZ On Air and Te Māngai Paho are pleased to announce the Equaliser (EQ) Grant is open again for 2023.

EQ is a gender equality programme which speaks to UN Sustainable development Goal #5 (‘Gender Equality’). It provides funding for music videos and ensuing network events. The pilot programme (2021/2022) was developed in association with Women In Film & Television (WIFT) and SAE Media Institute.

This project builds capacity and sustainability across the music and screen sectors, creates employment, opportunities and resilient networks of professionals who can then impart knowledge to similar cohorts of practitioners over the longer term.

After a successful pilot programme in 2021/2022, EQ is back with three more opportunities for  talented female musicians to be partnered with three outstanding female directors from the NZ Screen industry.

Each project will receive $10,000 (paid in two installments) to create content (music video, interstitials, visualisers) to support the release of new music this year, with access to mentors, crew and selected technical equipment.

The musician recipients will be given a database of women directors to choose from to work with on content.

Female musicians who have a song that is planned for 2023 release. Ideally the song will be completed or near completion at time of submission.

Please note, we are only accepting applications from female musicians for this funding round, however we welcome women in the screen industry to join our database of female directors which will be made available to the successful musician applicants. To join the database, please email us at with your details.

A panel comprised of experienced women from the Screen and Music sectors, will appraise the applications before they are announced during New Zealand Music Month of May.

Applications for the three grants will open on Tuesday 14 February 2023.

Closing date is Friday 31 March 2023. 

Please complete the online form accessed on the link below.

Apply here

If you would like more information or help with your application please contact Renée Tanner via email at info@aucklandcityofmusic.nz