Creative grants

Supports cultural and creative activity in our communities.

Related to Culture & creativity

A night-time scene of a tree that has been turned into artwork. Branches have been added to the tree's trunk to form the face of a man.

City concierge

We’d like to help you choose the right grant and provide tips for a successful application.

: 02 9265 9333
: [email protected]

Summer round

Applications open: Early 2025
Applications close: Early 2025
Project timeline: 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026
Recommendations to Council: June 2025

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About this program

This program supports projects that contribute to Sydney’s cultural life, provide opportunities for creative participation, enliven public spaces, and strengthen the sustainability and capacity of our cultural and creative industries.

The program funds projects and initiatives that align with priorities in our creative city cultural policy and action plan 2014–2024.

Our funding will prioritise projects that:
- celebrate and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and culture
- promote local culture and stories
- explore aspects of Sydney’s history
- represent the cultural and social diversity of our community
- increase access to creativity and culture for the city’s communities
- encourage cultural organisations and artists to locate and operate in Sydney
- address challenges facing the creative industries and cultural sector.
We encourage applications from organisations that support Aboriginal and/or Torres and Strait Islander communities and culture, including Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and networks.
These are questions asked in the application that align with the assessment criteria used at assessment stage:
- Why is there a need for the project and what are the proposed outcomes?
- What is your experience in delivering projects?
- How have you included the local diverse community and how will they benefit and/or being engaged?
- How does the project rate against the funding priorities?
For comprehensive information, including definitions and other details, refer to the business support grant program in the grants and sponsorship program guidelines.

For information on how to ensure a safe and successful event refer to the City’s event guidelines, associated policies and procedures.

If your project involves an outdoor event within the City of Sydney please discuss your event with the Outdoor Events & Filming Team via email on [email protected] or on (02) 9265 9333.

See list of recent grant recipients, including description of projects and amount approved.

Sustainable Sydney 2030-2050 Continuing the Vision outlines the goals we have set to make the city green, global and connected.

Funding available

Cash funding from $10,000 to $50,000 a year is available for a one-year or multi-year grant (up to 3 years).

Value-in-kind in the form of street banner and venue hire is also available.

Applicants can apply for up to $10,000 worth of capital expenditure or equipment.

We support fair pay to the artists and creative professionals working on funded projects, including child performers. Fees for artists and creative workers should be clearly included in your application budget and you’re encouraged to set these fees in line with industry standards.

Eligibility

To be eligible an applicant must operate within the City of Sydney’s local government area or be able to demonstrate significant benefits for the area’s residents, workers and/or visitors.

These individuals and organisations can apply:
- Eligible Not For Profit Organisation
- Incorporated Association
- Individual auspiced by an Eligible Not For Profit Organisation
- Unincorporated Community Group auspiced by an Eligible Not For Profit Organisation
- Corporation
- Co-operative
- Partnership
- Sole Trader
- Trustee of a Trust
- Government Cultural Institution
If you work with an auspicing organisation, we encourage you to choose one that is relevant to the sector and that can support the development of the proposal.

For more information on eligibility, see the eligibility section in the grants and sponsorship program guidelines.
Funding is not available for:
- operational costs or overheads for the core business of an organisation
- projects that are a festival or event
- projects that directly contravene the eligibility and ethics framework or existing city policies.