Arts & Cultural Funding Program - Glossary

This is Australian Business Number. You need one if you are successful before you can get the funding. Your bank account must have the same name as your ABN. If you don’t have one you can apply online here.

Driven by self-determination, Create NSW has developed protocols as a series of suggested questions within five key principles. Artists, arts and cultural workers and organisations should consider these protocols as a minimum standard when planning a project that engages in any way with Aboriginal arts and culture. The protocols follow the Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) 

You can find more information here (PDF 3.6MB)

For Project Funding - Activity is the creative outcome that the applicant is seeking funding for in a specific location. (This means there is one activity per location). If the outcomes are over several days are in same location (exhibition, performance, workshop) it is counted as one activity.

Examples:

• Festival has several events/stages/workshops on one day or several days in one suburb/postcode = 1 activity.
• Touring project has workshops/forums/performance in theatre and adjacent venues (one suburb/postcode) = 1 activity.
• Exhibition has showing and artist talks in one gallery and adjacent buildings over several days (one suburb/postcode) = 1 activity.
• Tour or performance shows for several nights in one venue = 1 activity.

Please note you are not accessed on the number of activities. This data is to identify the number of different locations funded activity takes place in. This is a commitment of Creative Communities policy to ensure that all NSW citizens have opportunities to contribute to and experience arts and culture. 

A report on how the funding was spent and what happened. This includes information about where the project took place, number of artists involved and number of people who participated as participants or audiences. 

Artists must have a commitment to arts/cultural work as a major aspect of their working life, even if this work is not the main source of their income. The term is intended to indicate a degree of training, experience, or manner of working that allows their work to be assessed against the highest practiced standards in their relevant artform or discipline. 

These may include but is not limited to:

• Actors
• Artistic directors
• Choreographers
• Curators
• Community Artists
• Dancers 
• Digital artists
• Directors
• Editors
• Exhibition designers
• Illustrator
• Lighting designers
• Musicians
• Performing artists
• Producers
• Podcast creators
• Sculptors
• Set and costume designers
• Visual Artists
• Writers

The Artform Boards assess all project applications for the different artforms. Members are artists and arts and cultural workers. They include professional artists, producers, arts managers and independent company leaders. You can find more information about the Artform Boards here

A document which outlines the when, what, where, audience, participants/staffing of each element of an annual program. 

The ACFP priorities are now called Strategic Priority Areas as identified in the Creative Communities Policy. 

Creative Communities is the NSW Government’s 10-year integrated policy for arts, culture and the creative industries 2024-2033. Further information and the policy can be found here - Creative Communities | NSW Government 

The Strategic Priority Areas are:

• First Nations stories and communities
• Western Sydney and/or regional NSW
• Next generation of creatives and audiences
• Broad and inclusive communities and content
• Accessibility and equity

Definitions are provided in the glossary under Strategic Priority Areas

People involved in the arts and culture sector as a major aspect of their working life, even if this work is not the main source of their income. This includes the production, technical, promotion, management, evaluation and administration of cultural and creative works. 

These may include but is not limited to: 

• Administrators
• Agent
• Finance
• General Managers
• Installer
• Marketing
• Museum worker
• Production Managers
• Promoter
• Publisher
• Researcher
• Technicians

Rates of pay prescribed by legally binding industrial awards and agreements. These are the rates organisations should be paying artists and creatives.

Create NSW wants you to pay the people who work on your art or culture project fairly. The following organisations can provide advice on payment rates for artists, including musicians and arts/cultural workers:

• Australian Museums and Galleries Association
• Australian Society of Authors
• Australian Writers’ Guild
• Live Performance Australia
• Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
• Museums and Galleries NSW
• Musicians Australia
• National Association for the Visual Arts

Musicians - It is recommended events implement a $250 minimum fee per musician. This fee is based on a ‘3 hour call’ as set out in the Live Performance Award and endorsed by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Audience is paid and unpaid attendance at an exhibition, performance, or arts and cultural event. Digital and online audiences are recorded separately. (See also participants)

Infrastructure and building works. Includes renovations and building improvements. For this, connect with Create Infrastructure funding opportunities here.

The progression of an artist or arts worker from emerging (usually the first five year of their practice/role) to mid-career and then to established.

Community arts and cultural development (CACD) activities/services are engagement with, and participation in, arts and culture at the local and community level, with a significant degree of community empowerment, decision-making and input. CACD activities/services focus on collaboration between arts and non-arts practitioners to deliver strong community and arts outcomes particularly for sectors of the community that may be disadvantaged.

On which First Nations Country/Countries is the majority of your program taking place on?

Disclaimer and Respectful Notice: This list provided serves as a general guide, indicating the locations of larger communities, which may encompass smaller subsets such as groups, dialects, or individual languages.

The list of Nations and boundaries provided are not intended to be precise or definitive. We acknowledge and respect the potential variations in names and pronunciations across different communities and languages. We encourage applicants to approach this information with an understanding of these potential variations.

For comprehensive information about specific groups in a particular region, we recommend contacting the appropriate Local Aboriginal Land Councils. If you are uncertain about the First Nations community or Nation, explore the AIATSIS map of Indigenous Australia to find the First Nations region.

The establishment of Sound NSW in 2023 allowed for an expansion of programs to increase support for contemporary music beyond the NSW government funding that existed through the Arts and Cultural Funding Program (ACFP).  

Create NSW, through the ACFP, continues to support contemporary music with a focus on contemporary classical, contemporary opera and ensembles, experimental and sound art as well as community arts projects. (See definitions below) 

Sound NSW now provides funding across more genres within the contemporary music industry to support activity for NSW artists, businesses, live music venues, organisations and professionals. As a contemporary music development office, Sound NSW works with the broader music industry ecosystem to embed long-term sustainability within music businesses and artists' careers, as well as increasing the profile of NSW talent locally and globally.

For funding related to contemporary music please contact Sound NSW at General Enquiries: (02) 9372 8700 or email: soundnsw@create.nsw.gov.au or the Sound NSW website 

Definitions

Sound NSW defines contemporary music as new and original music. 

Artists creating all kinds of new and original music are eligible to apply for support, except for creators of contemporary classical, contemporary opera, work for ensembles, experimental and sound art, or community arts projects. Artists creating or presenting these sorts of works are eligible to apply for support via the Arts and Cultural Funding Program (ACFP). More information about the ACFP can be found here [Arts and Cultural Funding Program | NSW Government].  

Experimental music or sound

Applicants seeking support for experimental music or sound activity should direct their applications to the ACFP - Digital, Experimental, Immersive and Light Art assessment board. This board considers applications that focus on the use of experimental approaches, artistic risk-taking and includes the development of cutting-edge contemporary practice. Digital artforms includes application of new forms of technology and existing forms such as podcasts. It includes activity which utilises and manipulates digital and/or analogue sound as the primary medium. It may be interdisciplinary (incorporating more than one media). It may include, but is not limited to: electronics, interactive work, generative music, environmental sound, installations, soundscapes, electroacoustic music and intermedia works.

Contemporary Classical and Ensembles

Applicants seeking support for contemporary music projects that involve notated composition and ensemble work should direct their applications to the ACFP - Classical Music / Opera / Choral / Ensemble assessment board. This board considers applications from composers, soloists and ensemble groups including percussion.

Working in and with Community

Applicants seeking funding support for contemporary music projects with community organisations and groups should direct their applications to the ACFP - Community Arts and Cultural Development assessment board. This board considers applications that focus on working collaboratively with communities through art and culture and could include activity from creation of new works, recordings, performance and skills development.

A term used to describe people who speak a language other than English (LOTE) – also referred to as people from non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB), spanning diverse languages, nationalities, traditions, societal structures, and religions. 

This funding is designed to support individuals and organisations that are led by and/or support strategic priority areas to develop and deliver a range of arts and cultural experiences for artists, arts workers, communities, and audiences that reflect the diversity of people in NSW.

Led by and/or support 

It is recommended your project be led by and has at least 50% (more than half) artists, arts and cultural workers who identify as belonging to a strategic priority community the work is relevant to.

Or is led by and has at least 50% (more than half) artists, arts and cultural workers living in a target population area (Western Sydney or regional NSW) for at least 12 months. 

A grant provided by, or received from, a funding program delivered and managed by another organisation on behalf of Create NSW.

Create NSW uses the Social Model of disability. This identifies the barriers in society as being the disabling factors that prevent or limit opportunities. Disability may be permanent or temporary and may not be visible. Mental health and Neurodivergence is included in this definition. This definition is different to using the condition, illness, or loss/lack of function as the way of defining people. d/Deaf and hard of hearing people are eligible to apply as artists living with disability.

The ‘uppercase D’ Deaf is used to describe people who identify as culturally Deaf and are actively engaged with the Deaf community. Deaf with a capital D indicates a cultural identity for people with hearing loss who share a common culture and who usually have a shared sign language.

The ‘lowercase d’ deaf refers to the physical condition of having hearing loss. People who identify as deaf with a lowercase ‘d’ don’t always have a strong connection to the Deaf community and don’t always use sign language. They may prefer to communicate with speech.

Financial partners provide financial benefit/s for the applicant organisation to diversify income and support organisational sustainability. The financial contribution may be from a range of sources, such as partnerships, philanthropy, sponsorship, grants of financial donorship or Local Government. For more information on eligible sources, please see FAQs.

First Nations is a broader term that is used when referring to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia. It emphasises the diversity of cultures, languages, and nations, and it honours the original people of the land who have thrived here long before colonisation and endured through times of great dispossession and dispersion. Within the Create NSW context, "First Nations NSW" in state-level funding is not exclusionary but rather prioritises and encompasses both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups to support the cultural preservation and artistic expression that is specific to NSW.

Create NSW funding is for First Nations peoples residing in NSW for at least 12 months. They identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person and is accepted by the artistic and cultural community in which they live or have lived. Successful applicants may be asked to provide a reference letter from First Nations peers or community groups prior to contracting, if appropriate.

Create NSW recognises there are many different types of artistic and cultural practices and the importance of self-determination that will help artists and communities to make networks and connections that will sustain culture.

This includes First Nations-led groups, collectives, or institutions that focus on cultural expression, arts, and community development. This means the board of management must have a majority of First Nations members. This can be an Independent Aboriginal organisation, an Independent Aboriginal Arts and Cultural organisation, a NSW Local Aboriginal Land Council, an Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal Medical Service and/or an Aboriginal Community organisation. 

A period of 12 months used for financial planning and reporting. This may be from 1 January till 31 December, 1 July till 30 June, or any other 12 month period. Please note Create NSW annual funding is for the 12 months from 1 January till 31 December. 

If you don’t want to manage the funding yourself, you can engage an external organisation to do it for you. This could be a service organisation, an agent, a producer, a manager, or arts organisation.

Two or more individuals working together on a project. It is recommended that a group have a formal agreement between members. For applications from a group, it must be submitted by an individual on behalf of the group. Note: This will count as an application for all nominated group members who will not be eligible to submit applications to other funding programs in this round.

ICIP is all the rights that Aboriginal people have, and want to have, to protect their traditional arts and culture. The idea of ICIP is based on the principle of self-determination. More information is at Home - Arts Law Centre of Australia

In-kind income and expenses allow organisations to record contributions from partners or suppliers who provide goods or services for free, or in exchange for sponsorship or recognition, instead of payment. 

For these contributions to be included in a budget they must be measurable and provable. 

For instance, if a local government offers a hall for rehearsals at no cost, there should be an agreement or booking to confirm this. If this free rate is only available to cultural groups, the published hire rate can be used to estimate the in-kind contribution. 

In-kind income must always equal in-kind expenses in your budget.

Non-cash assistance such as services, voluntary labour, donated materials and equipment or products. This can include venue hire, materials and equipment. 

It should not include artist fees. Create NSW wants you to pay the people who work on your art or culture project fairly. For artist fees see Award rates.

Individuals who play a key part in the planning, delivery, implementation, and reporting of a project or program. 

This is an abbreviation that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and the plus (+) sign represents a spectrum of other sexual orientations and gender identities. It's a term used to describe a diverse community of people whose sexual orientations or gender identities differ from the heterosexual and cisgender majority.

An organisation that does not distribute its profit to its owners or members. The organisation can still make a surplus but it is added to retained earnings to further support the objectives of the organisation.

A person residing and has a postal address in New South Wales, Australia for at least 12 months.

A legally constituted entity with an ABN. These may have a range of structures including company, associations and cooperatives.

A participant is paid and unpaid attendance at a workshop or other activity where they are actively engaged in making, creating, or learning. Digital and online participants are recorded separately. (see also audiences)

Two or more organisations or individuals working together to use the expertise and resources provided by each partner to develop and/or deliver a project. A partnership has a clear benefit to both partners.

A professional artist or arts and cultural worker must have a commitment to arts/cultural work as a major aspect of their working life, even if this work is not the main source of their income. The term professional is intended to indicate a degree of training, experience or manner of working that allows their work to be assessed against the highest practiced standards in their relevant artform or discipline.

Skills and knowledge for both personal development and career growth, including all types of formal and informal learning opportunities including workshops, mentoring, residencies, courses and creative sector conferences and networking events. 

A series of activities delivered by artists and arts and cultural workers, defined by a strong artistic rationale or curatorial premise. It includes an organisation’s principal artistic program to be delivered over the term of the funding agreement.

The activities you are asking to be funded. This can be a one-off or time-limited activity, or series of events with specific goals and conditions. The project will have defined responsibilities for all artists, arts and cultural workers, a budget, a plan, and a specific start date and end date.

Outlines the steps and resources involved in the delivery of a project. It is a description of the steps to be taken to achieve the proposed outcomes. It should include primary activities, a timeline, key personnel and locations, and other Key Milestones relating to the project.

Regional NSW is defined as the areas outside Greater Sydney.  Create NSW defines Greater Sydney as including the local government areas of the Northern Beaches and Hornsby Shire to the North, Hawkesbury City to the North-West,  City of Blue Mountains to the West, Wollondilly Shire to the South-West and Sutherland Shire to the South.

The ability and power to make decision that impact people’s social, personal and cultural activities.

Service Organisations are those with a primary purpose of providing services and expertise to members of the arts and cultural sector of NSW. Organisations predominantly developing and delivering arts and cultural programs should not apply as a Service Organisation.

The strategic plan’s core element of vision, mission, and goals provide a high level “roadmap” for an organisation. It outlines where the organisation currently is, where it intends to go, how it intends to get there, and the resources required over the life of the plan.

First Nations stories and communities

Australia proudly acknowledges and holds the heritage of the oldest continuous living cultures, with a significant population of First Nations people living in Sydney and across NSW. "First Nations" is a broader term that is used when referring to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia. It emphasises the diversity of cultures, languages, and nations, and it honours the original people of the land who have thrived here long before colonisation and endured through times of great dispossession and dispersion. 

Within the Create NSW context, "First Nations NSW" in state-level funding is not exclusionary but rather prioritises and encompasses both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups to support the cultural preservation and artistic expression that is specific to NSW. It ensures that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of NSW receive focused support for their cultural continuity and artistic endeavours and is used to acknowledge and focus on the diverse Aboriginal nations within the state of New South Wales (NSW). It carries a lot of respect and recognition and should be used when specifically referring to the Aboriginal nations within NSW, Australia. 

When collaborating and engaging with First Nations artists or organisations it requires a deep respect for and adherence to Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) rights.  It is essential that we respect First Nations peoples sovereign right to control how their creative expressions and traditional knowledge are used, shared, and celebrated.

Western Sydney and regional NSW

Western Sydney encompasses the thirteen local government areas of Blacktown City, Blue Mountains City, Camden Council, Campbelltown City, The City of Canterbury Bankstown, Cumberland Council, Fairfield City, Hawkesbury City, Liverpool City, The City of Parramatta, Penrith City, The Hills Shire and Wollondilly Shire.

Regional NSW is defined as the areas outside Greater Sydney.  Create NSW defines Greater Sydney as including the local government areas of the Northern Beaches and Hornsby Shire to the North, Hawkesbury City to the North-West,  City of Blue Mountains to the West, Wollondilly Shire to the South-West and Sutherland Shire to the South.

Next generation of creatives and audiences

The next generation of creatives and audiences includes young people aged between 18-25. It also includes emerging artists, and arts and cultural workers who are generally in the first five years of their creative practice or profession, regardless of age. The creation of sustainable career pathways for both young and emerging artists, and arts and cultural workers is a key priority for the ACFP. The next generations of audience can include those who are yet to engage with your artform or practice.

Broad and inclusive communities and content

Broad and inclusive communities refers to the wide diversity of NSW people including First Nations communities, people of non-English speaking background, those from cultural and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities, and those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. It also refers to our regional communities outside the cities as well as the unique communities in our urban environments. You can also consider the diversity of audiences, artists, and arts and cultural workers.

Broad and inclusive content refers to existing and traditional artforms and practice such as visual arts, museums, literature, performing arts as well as new and emerging digital and experimental artforms and practice.

Accessibility and Equity

Accessibility and equity refer to the inclusion of people with disability or who are d/Deaf. When considering equity, you may wish to include areas of accessibility (physical, financial, economic and social), inclusion, reach, to ensure there are as few barriers as possible to engagement with your program. 

An exhibition, presentation, or performance of work by artists, arts and cultural workers in which activities are delivered in a place or places other than the original location. 

A variation is a request to make changes to a successful funding application. Further information for funding recipients including variations can be found here - Info for funding recipients - Create NSW | NSW Government

Covering almost 9,000 square kilometres and home to around 2.7 million people, Western Sydney is one of the largest economic areas in Australia. Western Sydney encompasses the thirteen local government areas of Blacktown City, Blue Mountains City, Camden Council, Campbelltown City, The City of Canterbury Bankstown, Cumberland Council, Fairfield City, Hawkesbury City, Liverpool City, The City of Parramatta, Penrith City, The Hills Shire, and Wollondilly Shire