Apply for funding for a creative space or venue
Our cultural infrastructure funding supports new creative spaces and cultural venues, or the upgrade or relocation of existing ones.
Planned
- Applications open Tuesday 21 July
- Applications are open year-round until the available budget is exhausted
- Applicants will usually be notified of the outcome within 3 months, but sometimes it may take longer
Creative grants briefing: Tuesday 21 July, 11:30am to 12:30pm
Our next grants round opens 21 July. Join this webinar to learn about the new grants program, what’s changed and the opportunities for Sydney artists, creatives and cultural organisations.
Discuss your project or idea
The grants team is available in person or online.
Help with grants in your language
Need help with information about our grants in other languages?
About this category
The cultural infrastructure category supports creative production spaces and cultural venues. It aims to strengthen the city’s cultural life by supporting creative spaces that are affordable, accessible and suitable for their purpose.
Funding is available for spaces used where creative work is developed, produced or presented.
This includes:
- music and performing arts
- visual arts and crafts
- film and screen arts
- literature
- fashion and creative design.
You can use funding to:
- create a new creative space
- upgrade, improve or expand an existing space.
The creative projects category is part of our creative grants program. It aligns with our cultural strategy. View the program funding priorities.
Funding available
Cash funding up to $100,000 is available for each project.
Applications for more than $100,000 may be considered after discussion with City of Sydney staff.
Eligibility
✔️ Operate or intend to operate a cultural venue or creative space in the City of Sydney local area
✔️ Meet our general eligibility requirements
✔️ Show that you have permission to use the space for creative use (through ownership, lease or other agreement) for at least 12 months from the date of receiving the grant
✔️ Make a commitment to operating a creative space in this location for a minimum of 12 months from the date of receiving the grant
Who can apply
- eligible not-for-profit organisation
- incorporated association
- unincorporated community group auspiced by an eligible not-for-profit organisation
- co-operative
- corporation
- partnership
- trustee of a trust.
Unincorporated community groups may access this grant program by partnering with an eligible organisation. To see if it’s an option for you, read our auspicing guide.
Assessment criteria
Further conditions
Other approvals
You may be required to provide:
- proof of owner’s consent for any works to be carried out
- evidence of development consent, a development application or complying development certification as part of the assessment process
Contact our creative spaces planning advisory team for general advice on whether a development application or other approvals may be needed for your space. Email [email protected] with the subject line ‘Question – cultural infrastructure support’
Where a project is contingent on development consent (a development application), funding will be provided upon receipt of development approval.
Before you apply
Performers in a recording studio. — Image: Matt Lambley / City of Sydney
Examples of funded projects
These are examples of the types of projects that could be funded:
- A creative workspace needs to move because its current warehouse is being redeveloped. After finding a suitable building in the City of Sydney local area and confirming it meets planning and building approvals, the organisation signs a lease and applies for funding to help cover relocation and fitout costs.
- A not-for-profit organisation leases a warehouse and plans to convert part of it into a live music and performance venue while keeping artist studios in the remaining space. After identifying the need for planning and building approvals, it applies for funding to cover consultant fees, new amenities, accessibility upgrades and soundproofing works.
- A small bar wants to host live music and applies for funding to engage an acoustic consultant. The consultant will assess potential noise impacts and recommend ways to minimise disruption for nearby residents.
- A shared creative workspace for artists and designers wants to install partition walls to create separate work areas. After confirming that development approval is required, it applies for funding to cover certification, construction costs and building materials.
How to apply
Applications open Tuesday 21 July and must be completed online.
You can start preparing your application now.
Before you apply, we suggest you:
- contact our creative spaces planning advisory team for general advice on whether a development application or other approvals may be needed for your space. Email [email protected] with the subject line ‘Question – cultural infrastructure support’
- review our step-by-step guide for grants applicants
- check out our grant application resources.
Sign up to our grants newsletter to hear about information sessions and when the new grants ground opens.
Glossary
Priority communities
Communities that may experience heightened inequality and barriers to social, economic, cultural, political and environmental resources, services and support, including:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- people on low incomes
- people renting including social housing residents
- people experiencing homelessness
- people with disability
- people with lived experience of a mental health and/or chronic condition
- people over 65
- young people and children under 5
- new immigrants, non-citizens and refugees
- people with English as a second language
- people of diverse sexualities and genders
- women and girls.
