Create NSW is the NSW Government’s arts and cultural driver. We provide funding and support to the sector.
The Arts and Cultural Funding Program is one of our main funding programs.
Find out more about changes introduced in June 2024: Simpler, fairer, faster arts and cultural funding
To search and apply for grants and other funding available under this program, visit
How the program grows and supports the arts in NSW
The Arts and Cultural Funding Program:
- covers a range of artforms
- aims to support innovation, vibrancy and creativity within the sector.
Its three main objectives are to:
- deliver dynamic and diverse arts and cultural experiences to NSW communities.
- help develop a vibrant and accessible arts and cultural sector
- support the careers and skills of NSW-based artists and arts/cultural workers (including museum workers).
Types of funding
The program has different funding categories and funding types.
Funding categories include:
- Projects Funding: This supports innovation, vibrancy and creativity in the sector. It's open to individuals, groups and organisations. For projects delivering arts and cultural outcomes for people in NSW across four categories:
- Creative Nations - NSW First Nations project funding for individuals and organisations
- Next Steps - professional and skills development (for individuals)
- Creative Steps - new work development (for individuals)
- Cultural Access – projects for individuals and organisations led by and/or support priority area groups
- Multi-year Funding: This supports delivery, development and presentation of arts and cultural activities by arts and cultural organisations and local authorities with three streams of multi-year funding: 8-year (4+4 year), 4-year and 2-year.
- Regional Arts Touring: This helps provide access to arts and culture for regional audiences. Funding is available for tours of performing arts, music, visual arts, literature, history, museums and multi-arts and other artforms.
- Createability Internship: The internship provides opportunities for artists and practitioners with disability or who are d/Deaf to develop meaningful careers in the arts, screen, and culture sectors.
- Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging): This supports visual arts practitioners in their early career to challenge and expand their practice.
To find all current open funding opportunities, see Grants and Funding finder
Activities funded
The funding program supports a range of activities to help grow and support the arts in both metro and regional NSW. This includes:
- Aboriginal Artist’s creation of new arts and cultural work, practice-based research, or experimentation.
- Workshops, events and activities encouraging access and participation in arts and culture for diverse communities.
- New work, professional development and touring opportunities for artists and arts workers across various artforms and disciplines.
See our News and stories page for recent examples.
To get an idea of previous recipients of grants and funding, check inside each listing in the Grants and funding finder.
Who can apply (eligibility)
Are you an artist, arts and cultural organisation, arts or cultural worker seeking funding for your project?
You may be eligible to apply for funding under the Arts and Culture Funding Program.
Visit our Grants and funding finder to check for eligibility and guidelines.
How to apply and learn more
- See the Grants and funding finder to apply, and view previous recipients
- For help to get started see Get support and funding
- Sign up to the newsletter
- Visit News and stories to read inspiring stories about successful recipients of Arts and Cultural Funding Program funding.
Image above right banner: Eddie Abd, Silk cuts, 2022. Photo: Tim Connolly