Artform festivals and events sponsorship

We prioritise artform-focused festivals and events that demonstrate:

• creative activation of public spaces, business or nightlife precincts and local neighbourhoods
• employment opportunities for diverse local artists and inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, organisations and businesses  
• opportunities to connect diverse audiences to local culture including linguistically diverse audiences, people with a disability, low-income earners and communities experiencing hardship
• collaborations with local cultural and community organisations and businesses
• resource sharing and collaboration to maximise the use of existing infrastructure or create new or temporary cultural spaces
• innovative offerings that drive the visitor economy, with a focus on attracting residents from across Sydney, intrastate and interstate visitors
• ideas and initiatives for recovery from the impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic and how our city can be more resilient in the future.

Festivals and events can contribute to one or more of the following outcomes. Festivals and events seeking more than $100,000 in cash and/or value-in-kind per year must contribute to all of these outcomes:

• Increased visibility and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
• Improved sustainability for Sydney’s cultural sector through the creation of opportunities, such as employment or professional development, for local creative practitioners and cultural organisations
• Development of new and diverse audiences, and opportunities for participation and attendance by local residents, workers and visitors
• Increased participation and accessibility for audiences through free or low cost opportunities
• Increased visibility and understanding of the history, stories and character of the city and its villages through creative projects
• Increased opportunities for international collaborations and knowledge sharing between visiting and local creative practitioners.

Applications are assessed against the outcomes above and any advertised priorities at the time of application. The assessment panel will also consider:

• evidence of audience and/or community support for the festival or event and its proposed outcomes
• the quality and uniqueness of the artistic program and the appropriateness of the artists involved
• evidence of partnerships with other government agencies, business, community organisations or individuals
• the skills and experience of the organisation and its management relative to the size of the proposed project
• a realistic budget showing that the festival or event will be appropriately resourced, including payment of artist fees
• evidence of a program or event evaluation plan
• evidence that the event can grow to be self-sustainable
• relevance and outcomes specific to the local area
• other required supporting documentation (for further information see supporting documentation in the grants and sponsorship guidelines).

For comprehensive information, including definitions and other details, refer to the grants and sponsorship program guidelines.

To see what projects have been awarded our grants and sponsorships in the past, please search for grants in our statutory returns annual reports.

• Organisations supported under this program may be required to provide benefits back to our local community in return for funding. These benefits are negotiated case-by-case and can be up to the value of funding provided.
• For-profit organisations requesting support through the artform category must match the funding requested with cash. Value-in-kind is not accepted.
• Applicants approved for the waiving of hire fees for Sydney Town Hall are advised that if a cancellation occurs within 90 days of the event, you must pay for 50% of the booking’s value with cash, irrespective of any value-in-kind awarded by us.
• Applicants organising outdoor events must consider their security needs by completing and uploading the Crowded Places Self-Assessment Tool and reviewing the guidance documents available on the Australian National Security website. Depending on the outcome of the Crowded Places Self-Assessment Tool, you may need to speak with NSW Police regarding the security needs of your event. Security costs to ensure your event is safe and accessible can be included in your budget as a request to us.