Arts and Cultural Funding Program

Creative Industries - Connectivity

Creative Industries - Connectivity
Funding for new collaborative opportunities between the arts and cultural sector and the creative industries.
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Key information

  • Status: Closed
  • Grant amount: From $30,000 to $50,000
  • Application opened: 20 November 2024
  • Application closed: 17 March 2025, 5:00 pm

Program objective

In response to Creative Communities, the NSW arts, culture and creative industries policy, the purpose of this funding is to:   

  • Incentivise new collaborative opportunities between the traditional arts and cultural sector and creative industries. 
  • Encourage innovative partnerships that have potential for ongoing sustainable outcomes. 
  • Demonstrate possible future direction of arts and culture and creative industry partnerships. 
  • Offer the potential to export more Australian stories to the world. 

Image Credit: Tender by CuriousWorks, Multi-panel Immersive Projection Environment, Sydney Opera House Tide Room, 2024 Image: Kiraiki ZakinthinosTender reveals the nuances and tender sides of the communities of Western Sydney through four individual but interconnected documentary films by multidisciplinary artists: Mohammad Awad (3awadi), Carielyn Tunion, Diamond Tat, and Sharon Mani.

This program is administered by Create NSW.

Eligibility

1

Who can apply

To apply for Connectivity funding, applicants must: 

  • be a small to medium not-for-profit arts and cultural organisation located in NSW for the last 12 months.   
  • have an annual turn-over in the most recent financial year greater than $30,000. 

Additional Considerations:

  • The small to medium arts and cultural organisation must apply as the lead partner in the collaboration.  
  • Recipients of 2024/25 Annual Program Funding, Project Funding and Multi-Year Funding are eligible to apply.
  • Arts and cultural focused Local Government Authority (LGA) business units are eligible
  • Organisations may be incorporated or unincorporated associations. Note: Unincorporated associations will have to provide additional information, if successful (see the successful applications section). 
2

Types of projects funded under this grant

The project or activity must be a clearly defined arts and cultural activity that benefits individual NSW artists or arts and cultural workers. 

Arts and cultural organisations will collaborate with larger creative industry organisations and businesses to develop an innovative partnership project that has potential for ongoing sustainable outcomes. 

Definitions 

Small to medium Arts and Cultural Organisations (the applicant) Not-For-Profit Organisations whose key function is the provision or service of arts and culture in NSW. They have an annual turnover of over $30,000 per annum. 

Creative Industries  The Creative Communities whole-of-government arts, culture and creative industries policy expands the range of support provided by government to include the broader creative industries as well as the state’s traditional arts sector. 

The breadth of the NSW Government’s policy is reflected in a new, more expansive definition of arts, culture and creative industries. It includes but is not limited to: 

  • Broadcasting and digital media   
  • Design, architecture and fashion   
  • Built and physical heritage   
  • Creative and arts education   
  • Creativity in the food and beverage sector   
  • Creative innovation in the technology sector  

The Creative Industries partner organisation must be currently working in the Creative Industries, can be any type of business entity and can be based in NSW, interstate or internationally.

3

What costs you can apply for

Costs you need to cover to make sure your project is a success:  

  • Fees for artists and creatives to develop ideas and concepts 
  • Fees for artists and creatives to be employed in the project 
  • Cost of materials to build prototypes and for presentations 
  • Travel and accommodations directly related to the project 
  • Marketing and promotion costs 
  • First Nations Cultural expenses 
  • Accessibility expenses 

Note: You can apply for unconfirmed activities 

4

Who can’t apply

Ineligible applicants:  

  • Individuals 
  • Organisations that:  
    • are outside of NSW 
    • are schools and educational institutions (including preschools, primary and secondary schools) 
    • do not have a clearly defined focus on arts and cultural activities. 
    • have received funding before from Create NSW or Sound NSW for the same part of their project.   
    • have already started their project.  
    • Key Festivals, State Significant Organisations & a National Performing Arts Partnership Organisation.   
    • have already submitted an application to this funding round. 
  • the applicant organisation cannot have a primary focus of contemporary music, filmmaking, screen production, mainstream animation, digital games or film festivals.
  • the Creative Industries partner organisation cannot be the applicant. 
5

What costs you can't apply for

  • 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). For this, contact Create Infrastructure  
  • fundraising and donations   
  • awards, prizes, competitions, or prize money   
  • paying back loans.   
6

Example projects

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

  • Small to medium visual arts organisation collaborating with a digital media organisation to develop a new way of promoting art using digital media.  
  • Theatre company working with designers and architects to develop an immersive environment performance project. 
  • Youth arts company working with an arts education provider to develop an innovative program to engage young people in the arts. 
  • Western Sydney arts organisation collaborating with a food and beverage company to develop a culinary experience interactive event. 
  • First Nations organisation working with a technology start up to develop a new interactive story telling platform. 
  • An organisation working with a digital media company to create innovative solutions to increase accessibility.
7

What co-contributions are required

You must contribute at least 20% from other cash or in-kind support towards your project. The definition of in-kind can be seen in the glossary.

8

Additional eligibility requirements

The project must take place between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026. 

Most recent recipients

All recipients (10)

What your application needs to include

1
  • Read the guidelines 
  • Check your eligibility   
  • Samples of previous work that are relevant to the application.  
  • Evidence of early negotiations or agreements from the collaborating/ partner organisation 
  • Outcome information including location, estimated employment and audience numbers (if applicable)   
  • If successful, an ABN which matches their legal entity name and a bank account that has the same name as your ABN.  
2

Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.

Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.

3

The Connectivity application form asks a series of questions about your project.

1. Idea

A vision for your project that clearly summarises the ideas, its aims and purpose.     

Question: What do you want to do? 

You may want to consider the following:   

  • What is your idea for this project?   
  • What do you want to achieve?   

2. Diversity and participation 

Demonstrate how your project is relevant to and will benefit communities, audiences and NSW artists.  

Question: Why do you want to do it? 

You may want to consider the following: 

  • Who will it benefit? For example NSW artists, arts and cultural workers 
  • Who is the project relevant to? For example NSW, Interstate or International communities and audiences 
  • How does the project reflect the diversity of people in NSW?  

The NSW Government is committed to ensuring fair access by all communities and individuals across the state. If the activity engages with the needs of a community or has outcomes that benefit specific Strategic Priority Areas, please include these details. The Strategic Priority Areas are: 

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

3. Experience 

List the artistic experience of those involved in the project.   

Question: Who is involved and why are they the right people for this activity? 

You may want to consider the following: 

  • What experience do you/the individuals and organisations involved bring to this project?   
  • What skills and expertise do the artists, arts and cultural workers involved have that will ensure your project is a success? 
  • What experience do both organisations bring to the project?

4. Alignment 

Provide details of the partner organisation in relation to the project including evidence of negotiation or agreement of partnership.  

Question: Why is the partner organisation a suitable collaborator for your organisation and the project?  

You may want to consider the following: 

  • What will your organisation learn from the partnership? 
  • How the project aligns with your organisation’s future plans? 
  • Are there potential future collaborative opportunities with the partner organisation and the arts and culture sector?

5. Sustainability An outline of the ongoing sustainability of the project and a supporting budget.

Question: How will the funding be spent? 

You may want to consider the following: 

  • How does your budget reflect the efficient use of funds to achieve the project’s goals? 
  • What other sources of funding are there for your project? 
  • What is the plan to achieve ongoing sustainable outcomes of the project?
  • Organisations must provide a description of their workplace safety and wellbeing activities and policy. 

Create NSW does not fund 100% of your project. You must contribute at least 20% from other cash or in-kind support towards your project. The definition of in-kind is available in the glossary. 

As part of your application you are required to submit the Budget Template provided. If successful, you may be required to provide a more detailed budget prior to contracting. 

After the application is submitted

Successful applications will be decided by: the Chief Executive Officer of Create NSW

Pre-eligibility   

Your application will be checked by Create NSW for eligibility against the published Eligibility Criteria. If eligible, your application will proceed to the next assessment stage. If ineligible, you will be advised via email within 14 business days and your application will not proceed to assessment.  Create NSW reserves the right to provide applicants with an opportunity to provide clarification or additional information regarding the Eligibility Criteria provided the principles of probity are not breached.  Incomplete applications will be deemed ineligible. 

Assessment Stage 1 

Once eligibility is confirmed, the Artform Advisory Board Subcommittee will assess applications based on the criteria and guidelines. Funding is competitive and will consider various factors like demographics, distribution, organisation type, and project scale. 

Artform Advisory Board Subcommittee: 

  • may set aside an application if it is assessed as below acceptable in any one of the published criteria. 
  • ask for a Cultural Review from Create NSW First Nations staff or the First Nations Arts and Culture Artform Board for applications with First Nations content and engagement.  

Assessment Stage 2 

Create NSW will consolidate and finalise recommendations based on the Artform Advisory Board Subcommittee assessments, availability of funds, Strategic Priority Areas and geographic spread to ensure equity and the best outcomes for NSW government investment. 

Decision-Making 

Successful applications will be determined by The Chief Executive Officer, Create NSW, based on recommendations from Assessment Stage 2. 

Assessment process considerations 

Applicants should note that:  

  • The NSW Government typically receives far more applications than it can support. 
  • You are not guaranteed funding even if your application meets the published criteria. 
  • If you are successful, your application may not be funded to the amount you requested.  

Create NSW may, at its sole discretion and at any stage of the application process, do all or any of the following:  

  • Require additional information from an applicant. 
  • May request applicants to provide clarification or additional information regarding the Eligibility Criteria. 
  • Change the scope of the requirements of these guidelines. 
  • Vary, amend (including by replacement), or terminate the application process.  
  • Re-open an application after the closing date, provided it doesn’t give the applicant an advantage over other applicants.  
  • Consider any non-conforming or late application. 
  • Request further advice and/or clarification from applicants during the assessment process.   

Successful Grant Applications  

The anticipated assessment outcome timeframe is eight weeks after closing date If your application is successful: you will be sent a funding agreement (contract). This outlines the conditions of funding, how you will be paid and your reporting requirements.   

As an organisation you must provide:  

  • An ABN which matches their entity name and a bank account that has the same name as your ABN.  
  • Unincorporated associations and other organisations without legal status separate from their members cannot directly apply for Create NSW funding or be contracted directly by Create NSW. However, an individual may apply for funding and may be entitled to enter Create NSW funding contracts on their members’ behalf, so long as there is an eligible ABN. For example, while an unincorporated association cannot contract in its own name as a separate entity, it may have its own ABN. 
  • An organisation without separate, legal status can also be administered by another legal entity.   

All applicants must:  

  • complete an acquittal at the end of the funding period 
  • acknowledgment of Create NSW funding in all publicity materials.   

You may be asked to provide:   

  • a reference letter or letters from First Nations peers or community groups, as well as adherence to ICIP and First Nations Protocols prior to contracting, if appropriate 

Create NSW staff may contact you for additional information as part of this process.  

Contracts will not be issued, and payments will not be made, until all Create NSW/Sound NSW outstanding acquittals have been submitted. 

Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is within one month of successful notification. 

Feedback on Create NSW Connectivity funding application results   

Create NSW staff continue to help and support applicants who are preparing new funding applications. However, we have shifted away from providing individualised feedback on past applications to continue to meet service standards for the processing and assessment of applications.   

Program staff will no longer discuss past applications. Applicants applying in future rounds are encouraged to book an appointment with an Arts Funding and Development staff member to clarify any questions related to the application process.   

Publication of grants information   

The Grants Administration Guide (Guide) requires that certain information is published in relation to grants awarded no later than 45 calendar days after the grant agreement takes effect (see section 6.5 of the Guide and Appendix A to the Guide).   

This information is also open access information under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) (GIPA Act), which must be made publicly available unless there is an overriding public interest against disclosure of the information.   

In accordance with these requirements, relevant information about the grants awarded will be made available on the NSW Government Grants and Funding Finder as soon as possible after the funding agreement is executed.  

All records in relation to this decision will be managed in accordance with the requirements of the State Records Act 1998 (NSW).  

More information  

Please refer to Information for Funding Recipients for more detailed processes for successful applicants.   

This includes:   

  • Program evaluation   
  • Conflict of interest management   
  • Organisations working with First Nations people or communities   
  • Complaint handling, access to information and privacy   

Anticipated assessment outcome date is within one week of the final approval of funding commitments by government. The anticipated assessment outcome timeframe is eight weeks after closing date

Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is within one month of successful notification

Support and contact

Create NSW staff are available from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) to provide general information on the interpretation of these guidelines and support with the online application process.

Create NSW staff cannot help directly with your application.

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