Simpler, fairer, faster – Introducing a new approach to arts and cultural funding

This transformation to the program provides a simpler, fairer and faster model for arts funding, designed to drive long-term growth and sustainability across NSW’s arts and cultural sector.

A key commitment in the NSW Government’s Creative Communities policy in response to valuable, wide-ranging feedback from the sector, these changes to the Arts and Cultural Funding Program (ACFP) will deliver a funding model that is fit-for-purpose, create a level playing field for equitable access, demand less administration and provide faster outcomes for applicants.

In line with the guiding principles of Creative Communities, the reforms prioritise First Nations culture and sustainable growth for the whole NSW arts, cultural and creative ecosystem, for the benefit of all NSW communities.

Create NSW Chief Executive, Annette Pitman said:

“Our Arts and Cultural Funding Program has extraordinary reach across NSW’s creative ecosystem and touches everyone in NSW in some way. Create NSW is proud to introduce these transformative reforms, responding directly to feedback, that makes the program simpler, fairer and faster, and our creative industries stronger as a result.

“It’s exciting to witness the vision of our Creative Communities policy come to life through these reforms. Revitalising the Arts and Cultural Funding Program will energise our incredible creative and cultural ecosystem, and help it realise its potential.”

The key reform changes to ACFP include:

• Simpler process to apply for funding with:
  • every aspect of the process improved to simplify the user-experience
  • funding programs streamlined from 14 to four (details below)
  • 25% less paperwork required for applications
  • 50% less time-consuming reporting required
• Fairer model for all
  • all eligible organisations will have the opportunity to apply for multi-year funding through an open, competitive, transparent process
  • project funding targeted to engage priority groups to ensure artists, arts workers and audiences reflect the diversity of the people of NSW
• Faster processes and outcomes
  • funding decisions assessed and determined faster by refreshed Artform Boards
  • pre-application support resources and meetings available for applicants
  • administrative improvements mean applicants can apply for and receive funding faster

The simplified four-stream funding model includes:

1. Project Funding

   Project funding has been simplified to four categories: Creative Nations supporting First Nations arts and cultural projects; Next Steps for individual professional and skills development; Creative Steps creation of new work by individuals; and Cultural Access projects by organisations and individuals that engages with NSW Government strategic priority areas including culturally and linguistically diverse, regional, and disability and d/Deaf communities.

2. Regional Arts Touring

   To ensure high-calibre work remains accessible for NSW regional audiences and communities, Regional Arts Touring will continue to be delivered across two rounds per year.

3. Multi-Year Funding

   Longer-term multi-year funding programs have been introduced, with new two-year, four-year and eight-year funding categories, to provide the funding stability needed for organisations to grow and build long-term capacity. With greater certainty of funding, organisations can build stronger partnerships and undertake long-term planning of artistic programs. Applicants will have multiple opportunities to apply for the different categories of multi-year funding and timelines align with Creative Australia’s multi-year funding programs to avoid duplication of work for entities applying to both NSW and national programs.

4. National Partnerships

   National partnership agreements include NSW National Performing Arts Partnership Framework (NPAPF) organisations, NSW Visual, Arts, Craft and Design Framework (VACDF) organisations, and national service organisations such as the Arts Law Centre of Australia which are funded jointly by Creative Australia and Create NSW.  National Partnership agreements will not be subject to change under the reforms.

Further reading and resources:

Read more about the changes to Arts and Cultural Funding Program

View webinar on demand

Frequently Asked Questions