Arts & Cultural Funding Program: Creative Nations

Overview

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.

Key Information

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

Program Objective

In response toCreative Communities, the NSW arts, culture and creative industries policy, the purpose of this funding is to strengthen communities though equitable access to vibrant arts and cultural experiences.

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.

This program is administered by Create NSW.

Eligibility

Who can apply

Individuals:

• First Nations applicants must be 18 years or above
• Have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) or be auspiced 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 auspiced 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

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 an auspicer/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 about ABN requirements, legal structures and funds administration options, see Information on ABNs and legal status (entity types).

Types of projects funded under this grant

Funding is available for First Nations people or organisations that want to:

• Support First Nations arts and culture;
• Share the storytelling of First Nations elders;
• Make arts and culture available to everyone including people with disabilities;
• Maintain and grow collections and archives at First Nations cultural centres or keeping places;
• Create and manage cultural festivals and events that celebrate the diversity of First Nations people;
• Promote and market arts and cultural events to reach more people;
• Join in cultural community gatherings and forums.

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 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
• Administrative costs of managing the grant
• Marketing and promotion expenses
• Costs of materials for the creation of the work
• Costs to support aboriginal protocols and ICIP
• Costs to support accessibility

Who can’t apply

• Have received funding before from Create NSW or Sound NSW for the same part of the project.
• Have already started the project (paying for costs of the project)
• Will start or finish the project before the funding period starts.
• Are 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.
• If you were successful in receiving funding from the previous Creative Nations round, you can’t apply or be successful in this round of Creation Nations funding.

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:

• A First Nations dancer undertaking a creative development project (inclusive of work in progress showings) with a remote community to explore traditional and contemporary practice with the view to develop a full-scale work in the future.
• A First Nations arts organisation curating a visual arts exhibition with multiple regional First Nations artists for a metropolitan exhibition showcasing the art from different First Nations communities across NSW.

What co-contributions are required

Create NSW does not fund 100% of your project’s income. You must contribute at least 5% from cash or in‑kind support. Check the glossary for what “in-kind” means.

Additional eligibility requirements

• 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 – Priority Areas, 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.