Arts and Cultural Funding Program

Create NSW funding opportunities for professional artists, arts and cultural workers and organisations across a wide range of artforms and disciplines.

Two artists working in a studio painting

Supporting arts and culture in NSW

Simpler, Fairer, Faster funding

The Arts and Cultural Funding Program (ACFP) is one of our main funding programs supporting a range of artforms to foster innovation, vibrancy and creativity within the sector. We’ve listened to sector feedback from right across NSW and have transformed the ACFP model for arts funding to drive long-term growth and sustainability.

The new streamlined ACFP has 4 funding programs

Sydney Writers Festival Sam Neill 2023 credit Jacquie Manning
Multi-year Funding

Longer-term multi-year funding programs have been introduced to provide the funding stability needed for organisations to grow and build long-term capacity.

Applicants will have multiple opportunities to apply for the different categories of multi-year funding including:

2-year     4-year    8-year

Watch Multi-year Funding webinars

a female performer on a dark stage with light projection
Regional Arts Touring

Regional Arts Touring Funding for Small Tours and Large Tours with two rounds per year. 

This program brings high-calibre productions and programs to NSW regional audiences and communities.

Round 1 Applications have closed. Round 2 Applications will open in January 2025.

Individuals/Groups  Organisations 

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Project Funding
  • Creative Nations – projects for First Nations organisations and individuals
  • Next Steps – professional and skills development (for individuals)
  • Creative Steps – new work development (for individuals) 
  • Cultural Access – projects by organisations and individuals that engages with NSW Government strategic priority areas 

 Creative Nations  Next Steps 

 Creative Steps  Cultural Access

Sydney Symphony Orchestra
National Partnerships

National partnership agreements include:

  • National Performing Arts Partnership Framework (NPAPF)
  • National service organisations such as Arts Law Centre of Australia
  • Visual, Arts, Craft and Design Framework (VACDF)

NSW organisations under these agreements are funded jointly by Creative Australia and Create NSW. 

Information events & webinars

Find webinars and information sessions for the new Arts and Cultural Funding Program

Connect with Create NSW

Arts and Cultural Funding Program resources

Multi-year application resources

Find useful templates and resources to support applications for Create NSW Multi-Year Funding.

Create NSW funding calendar

Stay informed and plan ahead with a full calendar of all Arts and Cultural Funding Program opportunities and future rounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to questions and learn more about the changes to the Arts and Cultural Funding Program (ACFP). 

Glossary of ACFP terms

Find definitions for terms commonly used in Create NSW Arts and Cultural Funding Program guidelines.

Resource Hub

Find a range of helpful resources, toolkits, templates and guides developed by Create NSW.

Support and contacts

Get additional support with your application including the National Relay Service, Accessible Arts and Language Interpreting Service.

Internships and Fellowships for emerging artists

Six emerging artists shortlisted for 2025 Visual Arts Fellowship
NSW 2025 Visual Art Fellowship (Emerging)
Funding to support NSW emerging visual artists, to undertake a professional development program to support their personal, creative and career advancement. Six Finalists selected with one successful Fellowship recipient receiving $30,000 in funding towards their fellowship.
 
The 2025 finalists are Ellen Ferrier, Ellie Hannon, Ali Noble, Vedika Rampal, Joel Sherwood Spring and Ali Tahayori.
Two artist practitioners with disability smiling as they work together on a visual art installation in a workshop
Createability Internship Program

Create NSW funds arts and cultural organisations to host internships for emerging practitioners with disability or who are d/Deaf in the arts, screen and cultural industries.

Ten interns were selected for the 2024 program. Applications for interns close on 16 December.

Learn more about Createability Internships

Discover more about NSW Creative Communities

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A woman is dancing while holding a pink/orange scarf

Creative Communities Policy

Creative Communities is the state’s Arts, Culture and Creative Industries Policy, recognising the unique place of the sector in NSW.

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A self portrait by Dennis Golding

Stories from across our creative communities

Find out what's happening with all of the latest stories, events, exhibits and shows happening across NSW with our vibrant and diverse creatives.

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Model twirling her dress on a stage of blue lighting with a projection of her behind her on a screen .

Stay informed

Stay up-to-date with news and opportunities from Create NSW.  Sign up to our newsletter, follow our social media and latest stories.


Contact us

Create NSW Arts Funding support and contact

Create NSW is committed to inclusion and diversity and continues to apply practices that facilitate ease-of access to applicants wishing to apply.

Book an online meeting:Project Funding team
Book an online meeting:Multi-year Funding team
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