Arts and Cultural Funding Program: Cultural Access (Priority Area Projects for Individuals and Organisations)

Overview

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.

Key Information

• Grant amount: Individuals and groups can apply for $10,000 up to $75,000. Organisations can apply for $20,000 up to $100,000.
• Application opened: 13 April 2026
• Application closes: 25 May 2026, 2:00 pm

Program Objective

In response to Creative Communities, the NSW arts, culture and creative industries policy, the purpose of this funding is to strengthen communities through equitable access to vibrant 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 program is administered by Create NSW.

Eligibility

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.

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

• Local Government Authorities (LGA) must be a distinct business unit based in NSW
• The person submitting the application must have the authority to act on behalf of the organisation/entity

Note: Preference will be given to NSW-based organisations. It is highly recommended that non-NSW based organisations discuss their application with Create NSW before applying by contacting arts.funding@create.nsw.gov.au.

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.
• Groups who are unincorporated, ensembles, unincorporated associations, or other entities that do not have legal status, must be contracted by an individual or a funds administrator on behalf of the group.
• Organisations with legal status must have an ABN which matches their entity name and a nominated bank account.

For more information on ABN and entities please use this link.

Funding requests must:

• not be more than 90% of the project income
• be realistic and supported by the application and budget

Types of projects funded under this grant

The project must demonstrate the development, creation and/or presentation of an arts and cultural project by individuals, groups or organisations who identify with one of the ACFP Strategic Priority Areas or have a project that will deliver outcomes for one of the Strategic Priority Areas.

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 workers based on awards and appropriate industry rates.
  • 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 project.
• Fees for development opportunities, mentorships, and workshops directly related to the research and development of the project.
• Marketing and promotion expenses.
• Administrative costs of managing the grant.
• Costs of materials for the creation of the work.
• Costs to support First Nations protocols and ICIP.
• Costs to support accessibility.

Who can’t apply

Ineligible applicants:

• Have received funding before from Create NSW or Sound NSW for the same part of the project.
• Will start or finish the project before the funding period starts.
• Are a state or federal government department/agency, including state cultural institutions.
• Are schools and educational institutions (including preschools, primary and secondary schools).
• Key Festivals, State Significant Organisations & National Performing Arts Partnership Organisations.
• Organisations receiving Create NSW multi-year funding.
• Want funding related to filmmaking, screen production, mainstream animation or film festivals (funding programs for these areas are managed by Screen NSW)
• Want funding related to contemporary music (please refer to the glossary for this definition). For more information on this, you should contact Sound NSW)
• Are employed by Create NSW or were employed in the last 12 months.

What costs you can’t apply for

• Projects or activities that directly support the delivery or course requirements of an educational institution’s program or course
• Projects or activities that are led by people who aren’t professional artists, arts and cultural workers, or creatives
• Paying back money for items you’ve already bought
• Buying equipment that isn’t directly used in your project
• Capital works (infrastructure/building works).
• Fundraising and donations
• Awards, prizes, competitions, or prize money
• Paying back loans.

Example projects

Some examples of what may be funded under this grant are but not limited to:

• An Indonesian dance collective developing a series of workshops with a community performance outcome.
• A Western Sydney writing collective employing a CaLD mentor to develop work for publication in an anthology.
• A d/Deaf arts or cultural worker employing a cohort of d/Deaf facilitators to work with their local community and arts and cultural organisations to explore and address barriers to participation.

What co-contributions are required

Create NSW does not fund 100% of your project’s income. You must contribute at least 10% from other cash or in-kind support towards your project income. The definition of in-kind can be seen in the glossary.

Additional eligibility requirements

All applications must demonstrate that the project is led by and/or significantly supports at least one of the following Strategic Priority Areas:

• First Nations stories and communities
• Broad and inclusive communities and content
• Accessibility and equity
• Western Sydney
• Regional NSW
• Next generation of creatives and audiences

See the glossary for definitions of Strategic Priority Areas

Other additional eligibility requirements are:

• The project must start after 1 September 2026 and be completed by 31 December 2027.
• You can only submit one application in this Project Funding round to Creative Nations, Cultural Access, Professional Development – Next Steps or Creative Steps – New Work. If you submit more than one application, you will be asked to choose one for assessment.