Cultural sector innovation grants

This grant supports cultural organisations and businesses to innovate, adapt and grow through recovery from the impacts of Covid-19.

City concierge

: 02 9265 9333
: [email protected]

Applications closed

Project timeline

Applications open: 29 October 2020
Applications close: 7 December 2020
Projects may commerce from early February 2021 for 12 months, pending approval

About this program

This grant supports cultural organisations and businesses to innovate, adapt and grow through recovery from the impacts of Covid-19.

The following applications will be prioritised:
- effective strategies to transform operations and services during and beyond the current restricted trading environment
- strengthen and sustain venues or workspaces for the production or presentation of cultural products
- assist with generating income despite ongoing restrictions on public events and programs
- deliver programs or services that encourage active participation in cultural activity (such as workshops, classes, creative developments and residencies) and service diverse creative communities
- build the capacity of the cultural sector by sharing skills, research and resources
- work with diverse communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and LGBTIQ+ communities
- activities completed early in the project timeframe
- businesses, creative companies and cultural operators including sole traders, that have not already received City of Sydney grant funding in 2020.
Initiatives and projects can contribute to one or more of these outcomes:
- cultural organisations, creative spaces, services and networks that adapt and deliver sector-specific solutions and recovery
- strategies and plans for local arts and cultural organisations to maintain viability or diversify operations in the context of restricted trading conditions
- new projects and/or operating models and methods are initiated, for delivery during or after restricted trading conditions.
Applications are assessed against the expected program outcomes, the types of activities supported and our overarching grantmaking principles and ethics.

The assessment panel will also consider the following:
- demonstrated need or opportunity
- capacity and experience to manage arts projects and service diverse creative communities
- capacity, skills and experience to transform and innovate programs and services and creative spaces beyond the pandemic
- partnerships and benefits to local creative communities
- alignment with the program’s funding priorities and outcomes.

Funding available

Funding is available up to $20,000 cash.

Sole traders can apply for up to $10,000 cash.

Funds are available for any combination of the following:

pilot new operational models
transform program or project delivery
collaborate on and initiate new innovations.

The proposed budget for this program is $500,000.

To be eligible for funding an applicant must:
- operate within our area or be able to demonstrate benefits for our residents, businesses, workers or visitors
- employ less than 20 full time equivalent employees on 1 March 2020 (not include artists or performers engaged on an ad hoc basis)
- have an aggregated turnover of less than $10 million
These organisations can apply:
- not-for-profit organisations
- for-profit arts business
- sole traders
Applicant eligibility is determined by your ABN registration.
Funding is not available for:
- projects that contravene the eligibility and ethics framework or existing City of Sydney policies
- multiple applications from 1 applicant in this program
- applicants located outside our area and unable to demonstrate a majority of services are provided for the local community
- projects that cannot demonstrate the ability to provide safe working methods, or adherence to relevant government restrictions
- capital expenditure over $10,000
- projects or programs that will rely on recurrent future funding.

Covid-19 Recovery Grants
Webinar and general briefing session 12 November 2020

How to apply

Applications for grants and sponsorship must be completed online.

The below resources and examples can help you prepare your application and supporting documents once the round is open.

We also have dedicated support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people with disability to assist with the grants process. For more information contact the grants team on 02 9265 9333 or email [email protected].

Sample budgetPDF · 247.58 KB · Last modified 27 November 2020

Frequently asked questions (4 December 2020)PDF · 217.5 KB · Last modified 4 December 2020

Council governance & administrationCovid-19 recovery grants program guidelinesPublished 12 November 2020

Business support & fundingCBD activation grants program

Community support & fundingCommunity services grants (Covid-19 recovery grants)

4 adults dancing down the side of a building secured by ropes.

Grants & sponsorships

Artist Rosie Deacon standing alongside her creative hoarding design

Cultural support & funding

Cultural sector innovation grants

City concierge

Applications closed

Project timeline

About this program

Current funding priorities

Expected project outcomes

Assessment criteria

Further reading

Funding available

Eligible for funding

Not eligible for funding

Covid-19 Recovery Grants

How to apply