Cultural and creative grants

This year our funding will prioritise support for projects that:

• connect with and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identities and cultures
• increase participation in cultural and creative activities by:
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • People with a disability
  • People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• feature unexpected cultural activity in unique public and urban spaces
• amplify local histories, stories and characteristics of the city and its villages
• explore new markets and audiences for Sydney’s cultural activity
• remove barriers that prevent parts of the community participating in Sydney’s cultural offer
• forge partnerships between local businesses/residents/community and cultural organisations
• create partnerships between cultural organisations to address a sectoral or precinct need
• foster innovation through the creative use of existing resources, institutional structures, new technologies and/or the knowledge and experiences of our diverse communities
• promote opportunities for live music and performance, with priority given to all-ages activity
• activate public space including high street
• promote community cohesion

Eligible creative and cultural projects can contribute to one or more of these outcomes:

• Increased visibility and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
• Public spaces activated with cultural and creative initiatives
• Opportunities for creative practitioners to gain economic benefit or professional development
• Opportunities for audiences, including the city’s residents, workers and visitors, to engage with creativity, self-expression, learning and cultural participation
• Increased visibility and understanding of the history, stories and character of the city and its villages through creative projects
• Increased opportunities for access to live music and performance activity.

Applications are assessed against the funding priorities and desired project outcomes. The assessment panel will also consider:

• demonstrated need for the project and proposed outcomes
• quality of the project and creative personnel involved
• evidence of partnerships with other government agencies, business or community organisations
• capacity of the individual or organisation and its management
• evidence of a realistic budget with appropriate resourcing including payment of creative personnel where applicable. We support the paying of creative personnel where possible and recognises that underpayment and non-payment affects their incomes and career sustainability.
• provision of other required supporting documentation.

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.