Arts and Cultural Funding Program

Small Projects Grants (quick response) - Individuals and Groups 2023/24

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These grants support professional development opportunities for NSW-based professional artists, groups and arts and cultural workers (including museum workers).

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Key information

  • Status: Closed
  • Grant amount: From $500 to $5,000
  • Application opened: 15 January 2024
  • Application closed: 20 May 2024, 5:00 pm

Program objective

Small Project Grants (Quick Response) supports professional development opportunities for NSW-based professional artists, groups and arts and cultural workers (including museum workers) that are time sensitive and respond to short notice invitations with career-building significance.

Objectives are to:

  • Invest in NSW-based artists and arts/cultural workers (including museum workers) to participate in outstanding and relevant time-sensitive professional development opportunities
  • Increase the capacity of NSW-based artists and arts/cultural workers in becoming arts and cultural leaders
  • Enable artists, groups, and arts/cultural workers (including museum workers) to participate in outstanding and relevant time-sensitive opportunities
  • Contribute to the creation, development and/or presentation of new work related to career development.

Small Projects Grants (quick response) - Individuals and Groups 2023/24 will reopen 15 January 2024, 9am

This program is administered by Create NSW and Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade.

This program is funded by Create NSW.

Eligibility

Who can apply

You must be an artist or arts/cultural worker (including a museum worker) who:

  • is 18 years (at the time of applying) and above
  • is an Australian citizen or permanent resident and
  • has resided in NSW for at least 12 months at the time of applying.

Who can’t apply

You cannot apply if you:

  • are an organisation (A legally constituted establishment with an ABN (Australian Business Number)
  • have applied and/or received previous funding from Create NSW for the same stage/phase of professional development activity or project top-ups
  • are a current employee of Create NSW or have been employed by Create NSW within the last 12 months
  • do not meet ABN requirements (see below)
  • are seeking support for filmmaking, screen productions or film festivals. Please refer to Screen NSW regarding film sector funding opportunities
  • have been successful for one (1) Small Project Grant during the 23/24 Financial year
  • have already submitted two (2) Eligible Small Project Grants applications during the 23/24 Financial year.

Types of projects funded under this grant

Your project must be clearly related to the arts and culture sector.

      What can’t you apply for

      You cannot apply to use funds for:

      • activities that are carried out to satisfy the course requirements of an educational institution, for example, TAFE or university
      • activities that directly support the delivery of an educational program or course
      • arts and cultural activities that are led by non-professional artists or organisations
      • reimbursement to recover costs of items already purchased (such as flights, accommodation, and materials)
      • purchasing musical instruments, artworks, equipment (such as laptops, cameras, technical equipment, or machinery), or vehicles
      • capital works (infrastructure/building activities). Please refer to Create Infrastructure regarding Capital works funding opportunities
      • fundraising and donations, awards, competition entry fees or prize money
      • repayment of loans
      • filmmaking projects, screen productions or film festivals. Please refer to Screen NSW regarding film sector opportunities.

      Example projects

      Examples of activities include:

      • invitation to attend a forum, presentation, or performance opportunity statewide, nationally, or internationally
      • mentorship or residency opportunity statewide, nationally, or internationally
      • a skills development initiative
      • attendance at a significant arts and cultural event.

      Most recent recipients

      What your application needs to include

      Here's a sample of the application form you can download to use as a check list:

      File

      23 24 Small Project Grants (Quick Response) Sample Application (PDF 133.27KB)
      1

      Address the eligibility criteria

      Your proposed activity must be time sensitive. It should:

      • start 5 weeks after your application has been submitted
      • be completed within a 4-month period after the start date you have entered in your application
      • include confirmation supporting material to substantiate the urgency
      • demonstrate why the activity can only take place in this timeframe and how it is a significant career opportunity
      • address why your activity is unable to be planned for or supported by other Create NSW funding rounds.
        2

        Address the assessment criteria

        You will need to address the following three (3) Assessment Criterion of Merit, Impact and Viability, along with supporting material in your application.

        Please note: You have the option to answer the Merit and Impact Criteria as video submissions.

        Merit Criteria

        The project’s artistic rationale, goals, expected outcomes and artform and/ or project delivery experience. Tell us in detail the

        • idea and vision of your proposed project
        • process involved in delivering the project
        • artist/s involved and their experience
        • expected outcome/s and locations of the project.

        Impact Criteria

        How the activity enhances your artistic practice and career and why it is time sensitive. Tell us in detail:

        • why the opportunity is important to your career development and practice, including if your activity meaningfully engages with Create NSW priority areas
        • why the proposed activity is time sensitive and needs to be undertaken urgently, including any documentation supporting this claim.

        Viability Criteria

        The plan, timeline and how the budget will be managed. Tell us in detail:

        • about the key dates, activities names, descriptions, and collaborators (if applicable) involved in your project
        • how you will spend the funding amount you are requesting from Create NSW, including a breakdown of your total project costs (if applicable).

        Support Material

        You will be required to provide support material. This can include:

        • letters of offer/invitation/confirmation to attend an outstanding professional development opportunity
        • artist CV (Curriculum Vitae) and/or short biographies
        • sample of previous artistic works or current works relating to the opportunity
        • letters of support/confirmation from artists and/or organisations that can confirm they are collaborating with you on the project
        • letters of support from artist/s, organisations and/or communities who can speak to your project vision and your experience in project delivery
        • travel, accommodation, and material quotes (see note below).

        Please note: Quotes are optional but can include, hiring equipment, venue bookings, travel, and accommodation, and arts and cultural materials.

        3

        Create NSW Priority Areas

        Create NSW prioritises proposals that provide high-quality activity, respectful engagement, and participation with and for the following groups:

        • NSW Aboriginal people 
        • people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds 
        • people with disability and/or who are d/Deaf
        • young people under the age of 25
        • people living and/or working in regional NSW 
        • people living and/or working in Western Sydney.

        Start the application

        All applicants must apply via the secure online grants system, SmartyGrants. If you have any technical difficulties, please call (02) 9228 4578.

        For Individuals and Groups

        Apply here

        ABN Business Number (ABN) Requirements

        As an Individual based in NSW are you applying with:

        • an Individual/Sole Trader ABN OR
        • if you are the sole director of a private company, the ABN for that company OR
        • a nominated Funds Administrator OR
        • none of the above, but, if successful, will obtain an Individual/Sole Trader ABN or engage a Funds Administrator

        As a Group based in NSW are you applying with:

        • a group member’s Individual/Sole Trader ABN OR
        • a partnership ABN OR
        • an Unincorporated Entity ABN OR
        • a nominated Funds Administrator OR
        • none of the above, but, if successful, will obtain an eligible ABN or engage a Funds Administrator

        Please note: Incorporated Associations, Companies (except sole directors of private companies) and Trusts are not eligible to apply as individuals or groups. These restrictions do not apply to Funds Administrators.

        Funds Administration

        An administrative body/third party (e.g., manager, agent or producing organisation) can receive and administer funds on your behalf.

        You may be asked for a fee for this service, and it is recommended that you include that fee in your activity budget.

        After the application is submitted

        Successful applications will be decided by: Director Arts Funding, Create NSW

        Confirmation

        Once your application has been submitted, you will receive an email confirmation from our secure online grants system, SmartyGrants.

        Pre-eligibility check

        Your application will be checked for eligibility.
        If eligible, your application will proceed to the two (2) stage assessment process.

        If your application is deemed ineligible, you will be advised via email within 14 days of the
        from your submission and your application will not proceed to assessment.

        Please note: You can withdraw your application at any time. Please email arts.funding@create.nsw.gov.au with your name and application number.

        Assessment Stage 1

        Create NSW staff will assess all eligible applications against the assessment criteria: Merit, Impact and Viability.

        Assessment Stage 2

        At Small Project Grants Assessment Meetings, Create NSW staff scores will be amalgamated and presented to determine final recommendations. Create NSW will consider the assessment criteria, the demographics, distribution, range, demand by artform and scale of the initial recommendations. This may include prioritising activities with outcomes that address the Arts and Cultural Funding Program (ACFP) Priority Areas (see above), to ensure equity across the State and the best outcomes for NSW Government investment.

        Please note:

        • The NSW Government typically receives far more applications than it can support
        • You are not guaranteed funding even if your application meets the assessment criteria

        Application Outcome

        All applicants will be notified via SmartyGrants email of the outcome of their applications 3-4 weeks after they submit their application.

        Successful Applicants

        If your application is successful, you will be sent a Letter of Offer that outlines the conditions of funding, how you will be paid and your grant reporting requirements.

        Payment will not be made until any Create NSW outstanding acquittals have been submitted. Please refer to Contracts and Payments information for the process regarding successful applications.

        Funding Payment

        For successful the timeframe of payment will be dependent on when the signed Letter of Offer has been returned to Create NSW, as well as any special conditions, variations or outstanding acquittals being satisfactorily completed.

        Acknowledgement of Create NSW

        As a recipient of Government funding, you will be expected to acknowledge the support from Create NSW in all professional development activity/s publications, promotional and advertising materials, public announcements, and professional development activities.

        For more information, please read Create NSW Logo Guidelines and contact Melissa Keogh, Designer, Create NSW at melissa.keogh@create.nsw.gov.au for a copy of the logo package.

        Unsuccessful Applicants

        All applicants will be offered an opportunity to seek application feedback within a one-month period of receiving their notification outcome. Create NSW staff will provide a general round summary and application feedback, which can be via a call or an online meeting via Microsoft Bookings

        Support and contact

        Create NSW staff are available to provide information to applicants on the interpretation of these Guidelines, including the types of eligible projects for funding and advice on the application process.

        Create NSW staff are here to help you and can be contacted between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) via:

        Go to Create NSW

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