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The Creative Nations Program supports First Nations artists, cultural workers, organisations and communities through their artistic expressions that continue to sustain and strengthen First Nations arts and culture in NSW.

This funding could:

• enable the creation and presentation of new work and the ability to access resources and expertise for individual artists projects or artistic/professional development
• create more employment and professional development opportunities for First Nations artists and cultural workers
• invest in First Nations led organisations and help cultural workers become leaders
• enable the sharing of First Nations stories and truth telling
• support personal and community wellbeing and economic development.

Who can apply

Individuals: 

• First Nations applicants must be 18 years or above 
• Have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) or be administered at time of contracting (if successful) 
• Currently living in NSW (minimum12 months) 

Groups or other entities that do not have legal status: 

• Applicants must be First Nations and 18 years or above, have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) or be administered at time of contracting (if successful)  
• Majority of members must currently be located in NSW (for the past 12 months) 
• Unincorporated groups must have a written/ signed agreement between all members outlining roles and responsibilities, and their acceptance of the proposed project. 

Organisations or entities that do have legal status (such as companies, associations, partnerships, and other incorporated entities):

• must be First Nations led organisations operating in NSW for the last 12 months
• The person submitting the application must have the authority to act on behalf of the organisation/entity 

This funding focuses on professional development for individual artists and arts and cultural workers to enable participation in skills development opportunities, workshops, courses and creative sector conferences and networking events.

This funding could: 

• enable career development for artists and arts and cultural workers 
• support opportunities that develop cultural leadership capacities, skills and knowledge 
• promote professional networking and collaboration 
• helps individuals build the skills, wellbeing and resilience needed to thrive in their work. 

Who can apply

Individuals:  

• Applicants must be 18 years or above  
• Have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) or be administered at time of contracting (if successful)  
• Currently living in NSW (minimum12 months). 

If successful, all applicants must provide details of an active ABN with a nominated bank account or provide details of a funds administrator.  

• Individuals must have a sole trader ABN or private company ABN (only if the individual is the sole director) or a funds administrator and a nominated bank account.  

Funding requests must: 

• not be more than 95% of project income 
• be realistic and supported by the application and budget. 

Types of projects funded under this grant

The project is your professional development activity. It must be a clearly defined arts and cultural activity. It must benefit individual NSW artists or arts and cultural workers. It must provide professional and/or skills development opportunities to advance their careers. 

These activities might include: 

• research, training, coaching, or mentoring, or 
• attending workshops, conferences, nationally or internationally. 

This funding supports individuals, groups and organisations that are led by and/or support ACFP Strategic Priority Area communities to develop and deliver a diverse range of arts and cultural experiences.

The program targets the Strategic Priority Areas:

• First Nations stories and communities
• Broad and inclusive communities and content
• Broad and inclusive communities refers to the wide diversity of NSW people including First Nations communities, people of non-English speaking background, those from cultural and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities, and those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. It also refers to our regional communities outside the cities as well as the unique communities in our urban environments.
• Accessibility and Equity
• Accessibility and equity refer to the inclusion of people with disability or who are d/Deaf. When considering equity, you may wish to include areas of accessibility (physical, financial, economic and social), to ensure there are as few barriers as possible to engagement with your project.
• Western Sydney and/or regional NSW; and
• Next generation of creatives and audiences
• includes young people aged between 18-25, as well as emerging artists, and arts and cultural workers who are generally in the first five years of their creative practice or profession, regardless of age. 

This funding could:

• enable the development, creation and presentation of work designed, led by and/or for artists, arts and cultural workers, groups and organisations in NSW who are included in the Strategic Priority Areas.
• strengthen communities through equitable access to arts and cultural experiences. 
• provide capacity building opportunities and strengthen the diversity of cultural leadership within the NSW arts and culture ecosystem.
• increase the visibility of work developed and created for and by prioritised NSW artists, arts and cultural workers, and audiences.
• strengthen the creative ecosystem through collaborations and partnerships.
• support access to resources and expertise for artists and arts and cultural workers to grow their careers.
• contribute to personal and community wellbeing, and economic development.

This funding supports creative development and presentation of new work by individual artists and arts and cultural workers. Applicants are encouraged to drive and develop partnerships with arts and cultural organisations to support their new works.

This funding could:

• enable the development, creation and presentation of new work
• provide access to resources and expertise for artists and arts and cultural workers to enhance or develop skills and grow their career
• facilitate engagement with and access to new work for NSW audiences
• strengthen the creative ecosystem through collaborations and partnerships
• amplify diverse voices and increase equitable opportunities for NSW artists and arts and cultural workers from Strategic Priority Areas
• contribute to personal and community wellbeing, and economic development.

Who can apply

Individuals: 

• Applicants must be 18 years or above 
• Have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) or be administered at time of contracting (if successful) 
• Currently living in NSW (minimum 12 months) 

Groups or other entities that do not have legal status:  

• The lead applicant must be 18 years or above, have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) or be administered at time of contracting (if successful)
• Majority of members must currently be located in NSW (for the past 12 months) 
• Unincorporated groups must have a written/ signed agreement between all members outlining roles and responsibilities, and their acceptance of the proposed project.
• Groups, organisations or partnerships with legal status cannot apply – you may be eligible to apply to Cultural Access.  

If successful, all applicants must provide details of an active ABN with a nominated bank account or provide details of a funds administrator. 

• Individuals must have a sole trader ABN or private company ABN (only if the individual is the sole director) or a funds administrator and a nominated bank account. 

Types of projects funded under this grant

The project must demonstrate it has a focus on arts and culture and directly benefits NSW artists, arts and cultural workers and/or NSW communities and audiences.  

It must be a creative development and/or the presentation of new work.  

What costs you can apply for

Costs you need to consider to make sure your project is a success: 

• Paying wages and fees of artists and arts/cultural workers based on 
  • Note: Events or activities receiving funding from Create NSW, must pay at least $250 fee for musicians.  This fee is based on a ‘3 hour call’ as set out in the Live Performance Award and endorsed by the Fair Work Ombudsman. 
• Renting or hiring of space for workshops, rehearsals, shows, exhibitions or presentations  
• Travel and accommodation costs related to your work or project 
• Fees for development opportunities, mentorships and workshops directly related to the research and development of the project  
• Marketing and promotion expenses  
• Costs or materials for the creation of new work  
• Costs to support First Nations protocols and ICIP  
• Costs to support accessibility.  

The Regional Community Bands Program supports the work of community bands in regional NSW through an annual program providing small grants to support their activities.

Through on-demand, quick response funding, the program will address challenges in sustaining community bands in regional NSW due to limited access to funding, dispersed populations from which to draw membership and travel required for members to participate.

The intended outcomes of the Program are:

• Increased access to music activities and education in regional communities
• A stable or increased number of active regional community bands across NSW
• Increased community connections in regional communities
• Increased youth engagement and participation in regional NSW community bands.