ACFP 2 Year Multi-year Funding Program Feedback

General information and feedback for grant applicants, provided by Artform Board assessors

About the ACFP 2 Year Multi-year Funding Program 2025 

 

The purpose of 2-Year Multi-year funding is to provide core investment to the NSW arts and cultural sector to support sustainable growth of the industry, with a focus on all NSW citizens being given the opportunity to contribute to and experience arts and culture. 

  

How your application was assessed  

 

  • Your application was processed by Create NSW staff, a preliminary eligibility check was conducted, and the Artform Boards were convened. 
  • The Artform Board members reviewed the applications and support material and scored each of them against the assessment criteria. 
  • The Artform Boards met to discuss the applications and advise Create NSW on the most competitive applications.    
  • The Minister for the Arts approved the final recommendations. 

 

Assessor Comments 

Please note the feedback below does not relate to all applications but was noted in discussion with the Artform Boards. 

CriteriaStrong applications clearly:

1. Artistic and/or Business Innovation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  • Explained the organisation’s unique role and value in NSW’s arts and culture sector 

  • Showed fresh and creative ideas in programming or business planning 

  • Demonstrated strong interest and demand from audiences and participants 

  • Clearly outlined the benefits and expected outcomes of their activities 

  • Supported claims with evidence, such as data or metrics 

  • Told a clear and consistent story about the organisation throughout the application 

  • Linked their plans to their vision and showed they have the capacity to deliver 

  • Showed good understanding of the community or region they serve 

  • Described partnerships and collaborations, with supporting evidence 

2. Diversity and participation
  • Outlined opportunities for First Nations artists and arts and cultural workers, with a focus on leadership and self -determination 
  • Showed genuine and respectful use of First Nations protocols and ICIP (Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property)    
  • Demonstrated meaningful and ongoing cultural engagement and leadership 
  • Explained their commitment to working with priority communities 
  • Included targeted programs and employment opportunities that support participation from priority communities 
  • Clearly described how career pathways are supported and built into their work 
  • Embedded inclusion and accessibility in their programs and services 
3. Organisational sustainability  
  • Provided a clear, realistic budget with notes to help assessors understand the organisation’s finances and approach to financial management   
  • Included defined costs for accessibility and First Nations protocols, staffing, engagement and programming  
  • Showed a mix of income streams and a proactive approach to increasing income diversification 
  • Listed fees to artists and arts and cultural workers    
  • Provided financial information that shows a track record of good financial management and strong governance 
  • Explained how safe workplace practices are being followed 
  • Showed the organisation is ready for multi-year funding, beyond a one-off project or program 
  • Responded to feedback on previous multi-year applications (if relevant) 
  • If in transition, included a clear business plan for future sustainability 
Support Material
  • Provided working weblinks that were easy for assessors to access 
  • Provided relevant and concise information that fit within the word or data limits 
  • Provided information that supported and illustrated the application story 

Artform Feedback

Artform board assessors provided comments for areas of improvement for unsuccessful applicants: 

Classical Music, Opera, Choral and Ensemble
  • Explain more clearly your program outcomes for artists and communities 
  • Provide details of clear connections with audiences, including evidence like philanthropic support 
  • Demonstrate deeper grassroots engagement with local communities 
  • Provide more clarity on how the program will be delivered 
  • Move beyond acknowledging First Nations protocols to demonstrating respectful and meaningful implementation 
  • Consider developing a more considered and detailed approach to First Nations engagement with both artists and audiences 
Community Arts and Cultural Development (CACD)
  • Clearly show how your activities align with CACD principles like community leadership, participation, and outcomes. The definition of CACD and the Artform Board members can be found here. 
  • Provide more detail on diverse programming and work with specific community groups 
  • Explain how your engagement strategies and activities meet community needs and aspirations 
  • Articulate how your work helps grow the sector and strengthen communities 
  • If your program fits better with education, family/community services or health funding, consider applying through those channels.  
Dance & Physical Theatre
  • Provide more detailed analysis of audience growth and development 
  • Clearly outline career pathways for dancers and choreographers 
  • Show how First Nations protocols are being used and respected 
  • Ensure ambitious programming is supported by staffing and safe workplace practices 
  • Consider adding more detail to your artistic planning 
  • Explain how you engage with priority communities 
  • Share evidence of audience reach and attendance 
Digital & Experimental, Immersive & Light Art
  • Explain more clearly how your work fits the “Experimental” artform 
  • Provide more detail on the breadth of your engagement and how you’re increasing access for wider audiences 
  • Provide more detail on your capacity to deliver the program, including budget and delivery methods 
Festivals
  • Clearly explain the innovation and creative vision of your organisation or programming 
  • Provide more details on the sustainable future of the organisation and future festivals  
  • Support for priority areas could be more strongly articulated 
  • Show support from councils or umbrella organisations in your budget 
  • Demonstrate First Nations protocols and engagement 
  • Explain your strategy for sustainable growth beyond relying on volunteers 
  • Share your plans for attracting more diverse audiences and participants 
First Nations Arts & Culture
  • Provide more detail on First Nations protocols, ICIP (Indigenous Cultural & Intellectual Property) and FPIC (free, prior, informed consent) and how the community take ownership of these policies
  • Provide more detail on program costs, including itemised costs for artists, elders’ fees
  • Ensure funding requests are for programming, not regular maintenance and repairs, building and/or capital works
  • Provide more detail on staffing, management and governance that supports the organisation to deliver what is proposed
  • Explain the local, social, community and economic benefits of the program
  • Provide evidence of commitment and support from partnerships and collaborations
  • Ensure budgets represent the whole of organisation income and expenditure
  • Ensure all sections of the application are completed in full and written answers directly refer to the assessment criteria
  • Explain how the organisation will build/maintain sustainable programming into the future
Literature & Writing
  • Provide more detail on how accessibility is being prioritised 
  • Explain how you ensure safe workplaces, fair pay, and sustainable roles 
  • Share stronger evidence of impact, including how you measure social and community outcomes 
  • Clarify your governance and succession planning 
  • Reduce reliance on volunteers where possible 
  • Strengthen representation of First Nations and CaLD people on staff and boards 
  • Clearly show budget allocations for First Nations engagement and diversity measures 
Multi-arts
  • Highlight innovation and creativity, including artistic risk-taking or a unique business model 
  • More clearly describe career pathways and professional development opportunities 
  • Reference workplace policies and safe work practices in more detail 
  • Provide clearer information on curatorial leadership, including artistic and social outcomes, as well as operational activities 
  • Refine and clarify strategies for risk management, financial planning, and long-term sustainability 
  • Address any gaps in staffing or governance that may affect the organisation’s ability to deliver the proposed program 
Museums & History
  • Clearly explain safe work practices, including cultural safety 
  • Show strong connections to your community and tailor programming to your region 
  • Go beyond operational details—share bold and visionary strategies 
  • Strengthen your First Nations engagement 
Theatre & Musical Theatre
  • Clearly explain your operational structure and long-term sustainability plans 
  • Provide more detail on audience understanding and development 
  • Don’t assume assessors know your organisation—include relevant background information 
  • Show how your venue supports your programming and staff 
  • Ensure funding requests are for programming, not venue maintenance 
  • Back up claims about supporting local talent with evidence 
  • If planning to grow, explain why and how you’ll do it sustainably 
  • Provide strong evidence of financial management, governance, and a sustainable business model 
Visual Arts
  • Submit relevant and tailored documentation—not reused material from past applications
  • Be specific about commitments to priority groups (e.g. LGBTQIA+, CALD)
  • Provide more detail on audience engagement and development strategies
  • Clearly show your support for NSW artists
  • Explain your role within your local and diverse community
  • Show your commitment to First Nations programming and leadership opportunities
  • Highlight innovation and curatorial thinking in your programming
  • Clarify which programming is self-generated/produced and which is touring product 
  • Provide more detail on public programming and how it connects to exhibitions 
Type: Fact sheet, Guide
Author: Create NSW
Publication Date: 25 August 2025

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