Get started with arts and culture funding

Thinking about applying for arts and cultural grants and funding in NSW? Unsure where to start? Try this quick introductory guide.

Listen

Create NSW provides funding such as grants and fellowships to help professional artists, arts and cultural workers and arts and cultural organisations. This funding contributes to artistic, cultural and creative development across NSW. Remember that:

The steps below are a general guide to help you find and apply for funding.
Always check each funding listing in the Grants finder for guidelines. Closing dates, application forms and application processes vary with each listing.

Steps to get started

Stay up to date with new funding opportunities

Ways to stay up to date include:

Regularly check the Grants and funding finder for open grants
Check the Opportunities calendar and the Get Funding and Support page to see what grants and funding programs are open or coming soon.
Sign up for the Create NSW e-news or follow us on social media

Think about what funding you need

At Create NSW we provide a range of funding types. This includes grants, fellowships, internships and funds.

Here's more about each.

Funding type	How they generally work
Grants	Provide financial assistance for arts and cultural projects, programs and initiatives. Usually provided as a lump sum. Target a specific need or opportunity. Attached to categories, such as regional arts touring, creative leadership and project grants. Available for individuals, groups and/or organisations (Check each grant to confirm which) Usually competitive, with each applicant assessed against criteria, and against a number of other applicants.
Fellowships	Allow NSW artists and cultural workers to participate in self-directed professional development programs and get targeted support for their personal, creative and career advancement. Some examples of fellowships include the Visual Arts fellowship (Emerging) Usually competitive, with each applicant assessed against criteria and against a number of other applicants.
Internships	Internships are offered through the Createability Internship Program. This aims to increase the participation and employment of people with disability or who are d/Deaf in the creative industries. These involve training plus paid work placements to give people hands-on experience in the screen, music or performing arts sectors.
Funds related to priority needs such as disaster recovery	Funds are usually non-competitive and may have different eligibility criteria and application processes. Provide financial support for specific purposes or needs within the arts and cultural sector. Some examples of funds are the NSW Performing Arts COVID Support Package, which provided urgent financial support to performing arts venues, producers and promoters affected by COVID-19 restrictions.

Key funding programs related to arts and culture

See About Create NSW funding if you want to learn more about key funding programs supporting arts and culture in NSW. For example:

Most arts and cultural grants for individuals and groups are part of the Arts and Cultural Funding Program
Grants for people in flood-affected areas include grants offered under Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Program

Find and identify funding that suits you

Visit the NSW Grants and Funding finder and check for open listings that suit your situation. Check the summary to see if it's open, closed or ongoing.

Open the listing to see:

what is being offered
who can apply
how much you can apply for
when it closes
how it’s assessed.

Prepare your application

Always start your application early and give yourself enough time to prepare and submit it before the deadline.

To help write your application:

Open the individual grant or funding page you’re applying for

Take notes as you read through the listing and its materials
Use the Guides, Help Guide and Fact Sheets attached to that grant or funding (click on links to download)
Watch the video resources or webinars recommended on the listing
Access any assistance material listed on the funding page such as working with children. Check if you need to follow Aboriginal Arts and Culture protocols or other guidelines for your project.
Gather any attachments, documentation and media files you need to submit.
Set up an account with Smartygrants. This is the secure online system. where you'll submit your application.
- To access this portal, click "Apply now" in the funding page you have open.
- Once you've set up your Smartygrants account, you can save your application as a draft and come back to it later.

Review and submit your application

Plan ahead

You need to submit your application before the deadline for each program. Make sure you plan ahead.

Tips for reviewing

Go back through the guidelines in the grant or funding page you’re applying for. Check you've covered it all.
Have ready any attachments, documentation and media files you need to submit, making sure they're in the required format.
Contact Create NSW if you have any questions. You also might like to get advice from your peers or mentors who have experience in applying for grants and funding.

Submit your application

Your application needs to be submitted online. An ‘Apply Now’ link will take you from the individual funding page to the SmartyGrants portal. This is a secure online grants system requiring a login.

Your submission will be assessed

Your application will be assessed by a panel of experts according to criteria for each program. If it's an Arts and Cultural Funding Program grant, it may be assessed by experts on Artform Advisory Boards.

Even if you have a great project, you may not secure funding after you’ve applied. Sometimes there are many worthy applicants, with only a small number of funding opportunities available.

When will I be notified?

You will be notified of the outcome by email several weeks after the closing date (Check each grant or fund listing for details).

What to expect?

If you're successful

You will receive a funding agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of your grant
Read the information for funding recipients

If you don't secure funding

You can request feedback on your application
Keep pursuing your interests in the arts:
- Network with local arts organisations
- Apply for other funding opportunities.
Keep checking for new grants and funding opportunities (see Step 1 on this page).

Contact us

If you have questions or need clarification about the guidelines or requirements for each program contact us at arts.funding@create.nsw.gov.au

Accessibility and language assistance - Each funding listing has contacts at the end of the listing. Contact us using those details if you need help, advice, or the documents and guidelines aren't accessible for your needs.

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