Creative Steps – New Work FAQs

Creative Steps provides project funding for the creative development, creation and/or presentation of new work by individual artists and arts and cultural workers based in NSW. 

No. Groups, organisations or partnerships with legal status cannot apply to this stream.

Multi-year funded organisations are not eligible to apply for this funding, however can provide support for an individual artist who is the lead applicant. Support may include auspicing, providing space or equipment to make the work, or providing mentorship, training, partnership, or collaboration.

Applicants who are partnering or engaging with an organisation are encouraged to demonstrate that their project is distinctly led by the lead applicant, and that the planned activity does not form part of an organisations core program.

Yes. Unincorporated groups can apply if:

• the lead applicant is eligible
• the majority of members have lived in NSW for at least 12 months
• the group has a written and signed agreement setting out roles and responsibilities

No. An applicant can only submit one application across the current ACFP Project Funding round streams.

You can also be included as a group member in another application as long as you are not the lead applicant.

Unincorporated groups must have a written/ signed agreement between all members outlining roles and responsibilities, and their acceptance of the proposed project.

Yes. Applicants need an ABN, or an auspice/funds administration arrangement in place by the time of contracting if successful.

Yes. You can apply again if you were unsuccessful in the previous round, as long as the project is eligible and the activity dates fit this round.

You can submit an application, however if you are successful, a contract will not be issued, and payments will not be made until all Create NSW / Sound NSW acquittals have been submitted.

No. To be eligible for funding applicants must be based in NSW for at least 12 months prior to applying.

Individuals/groups can apply for $10,000 to $75,000.

Yes. Create NSW can fund up to 90% of total project costs, so applicants must contribute at least 10% in cash and/or in-kind support. Further information about in-kind support can be found in the Glossary. 

Applications open on 13 April 2026 and close on 25 May 2026 at 2:00 pm.

Projects must start after 1 September 2026 and be completed by 31 December 2027.

No, there is only one round of Project funding planned for 2026. If you are planning a project that is taking place in 2027 you should apply for this current round.

Upcoming rounds will be published on the Funding Calendar when confirmed.

Create NSW is unable to offer extensions to the published application period. Applications will close at 2:00 pm on Monday, 25 May 2026. Applicants are advised to submit their applications well before the round closing to avoid any last-minute issues.

If troubleshooting or general assistance is required, please contact arts.funding@create.nsw.gov.au.

Creative Steps can support:

• creative development
• creation of new work
• presentation of new work
• partnerships and collaborations that strengthen the work

Eligible costs can include:

• artist and arts worker fees at industry rates
• space hire for workshops, rehearsals, exhibitions, shows or presentations
• travel and accommodation
• mentorships and workshops directly related to the project
• materials for making the work
• marketing and promotion
• First Nations protocol and ICIP costs
• accessibility supports

Creative Steps funding does not support:

• course requirements relating to an accredited course
• retrospective costs that take place prior to the eligible project start date (1 September 2026)
• equipment that is not directly related to the project
• Infrastructure or capital works
• fundraising or donations
• awards or prize money
• loan repayments
• films, TV shows or film festival projects, as these artforms are funded by Screen NSW
• contemporary music projects, as these artforms are funded by Sound NSW. 

New work is the development and/or creation of a new art or cultural work and can include remounted works or works based on previous/existing projects. However, to be competitive you will have to demonstrate in your application that what you are planning to do is significantly original and new.

Professional development related to films, TV shows or film festivals is not supported under this grant. Applicants working in these artforms should consider Appling to Screen NSW’s funding programs

Professional development related to contemporary music is not funded under this program, and applicants working in these artforms should consider apply to Sound NSW’s funding opportunities.

Applicants working in contemporary classical, contemporary opera, ensemble music, experimental and sound art, or community arts projects are eligible to apply.

Yes. You can apply for an eligible stage of a larger project, as long as the funded component falls within the eligible dates and is clearly explained.

Your application must include:

• an online form completed via SmartyGrants
• work samples (up to 25MB)
• letters of invitation, collaboration or partnership, where relevant
• outcome information such as location, audience or employment estimates, where relevant.

No. General support letters are less useful than confirmation letters. If a partner, collaborator, venue or community relationship is important to the project, confirmation of that arrangement is stronger evidence.

Applications are assessed against three criteria:

• Idea (50%)
• Diversity, Participation and Connection to Place (25%)
• Planning, Experience and Financial Management (25%).

“Idea” looks at the strength and clarity of your proposed activity. You should explain:

• what you want to do
• why it matters now
• what skills or knowledge it will build
• what impact it may have on your future practice

Address the assessment criteria for “Idea”:

• The vision, aims and purpose are to support the development, creation and/or presentation of new creative work/s and/or services.  
• The activity is relevant and significant to the artform / area of practice.  
• The activity contributes to career and skill development. 
• The activity contributes to economic development, including building new markets or developing a more sustainable arts practice. 
• Outcomes of the activity are commensurate with the scope and scale of the proposal (does the project demonstrate value for money). 

This criteria looks at how the activity supports you and, where relevant, how it connects to the Strategic Priority Areas, including:

• First Nations
• accessibility and equity
• Regional NSW
• Western Sydney
• broad and inclusive communities
• next generation of creatives and audiences.

For definitions of the Strategic Priority Areas, see the ACFP Glossary.

Address the assessment criteria related to Diversity and Participation:

• The project contributes to personal and/or community wellbeing. 
• Has a positive impact on the Strategic Priority Areas. 
• Strengthens inclusion and equitable access to arts and cultural experiences. 

Explain why the project is happening in that location, how it connects to the local community or environment, and why it is the right place for the work. You can find more information about ‘Connection to Place’ here.

Address the assessment criteria related to Connection to Place:

• The project is meaningful to the people and place where it is happening.
• If using First Nations content or working with First Nations people, supports First Nations self-determination and cultural practice.

Planning, Experience and Financial Management is the third assessment criteria.

This criteria looks at whether the activity is:

• well planned
• achievable
• costed realistically
• has the right people involved to deliver the project successfully.

Applicants should show:

• a clear timeline
• a realistic budget
• practical arrangements
• consideration of risks and accessibility.

Address the assessment criteria related to Planning, Experience and Financial Management:

• The project has been planned appropriately with clear steps and activities. 
• The budget is realistic and well planned. 
• The artists, arts and cultural workers, collaborators and/or partners have the right experience, skills and expertise to deliver the activity/ies. 
• If applicable, provide evidence that First Nations Protocols and Protocols for using First Nations Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) have been adhered to.  
• If applicable, has considered accessibility costs or requirements. 
• The scale of the project is commensurate with the funding amount requested (demonstrates value for money). 

A strong application is clear, specific and well planned. It should show alignment with the program objectives and should include relevant support material, realistic activities and outcomes, and a reasonable budget that matches the written proposal.

When writing your application you may wish to consider the following:

• Ensure the rationale for your proposal is appropriate to the funding round and that your project sits within the eligibility criteria.
• Consider how your proposal aligns with the Program Objective and clearly addresses the relevant assessment criteria.
• Ensure each response directly addresses the question being asked.  and clearly responds to the specific criteria assessed in that section.
• Use plain English and avoid flowery language and jargon. If you are using AI to help draft your application ensure that you retain your voice and that the responses are clear, concise and specific to your project.
• Substantiate your claims with clear examples, evidence, and relevant support material.
• Confirm that your timeline, budget, and proposed activities are consistent, realistic, and aligned.
• Be specific about the activities you will undertake as well as the expected outcomes.
• Avoid assuming prior knowledge of your work and ensure your application clearly explains your proposal without leaving gaps for interpretation.
• Remember that applications are assessed by the Artform Boards. More information on the Artform Boards, including definitions for each Board, and the members' biographies can be found here.

Additional tips and tricks:

• Having a third party look over your application before it is submitted can be helpful to see the application from a fresh perspective.
• Consider your proposal through the eyes of an assessor who may not be familiar with your past work; ensuring that the rationale and projected outcomes are easily understood.

A strong budget is:

• realistic
• clear
• aligned with the project and matching the scale of the activity
• supported by notes where needed, especially when clarifying larger items
• break-even (without a surplus or deficit).

It should show:

• how the money will be spent
• where income is coming from
• how the project is being co-contributed to.

Yes. The budget should clearly reflect the project described in your written answers. 

Yes. Budget notes are useful for showing:

• how figures were calculated
• how artist fees were worked out
• how ticket income or other revenue estimates were reached.

Yes. Your budget must break even, meaning total income (including the Create NSW request, your cash contribution and any in-kind support) must equal total expenses. Budgets should not show a surplus or a deficit and must clearly reflect the project described in your application.

Key principles to keep in mind

• Create NSW does not fund 100% of a project’s total income.
  • The amount requested from Create NSW must be no more than 90% of the total project income.
  • This means applicants must contribute at least 10% of the total project income from other cash and/or in‑kind sources.

Total project income is made up of two parts:

• Total project income = Create NSW amount requested + applicant contribution (cash and in‑kind).

Your budget must break even:

• Total project income = total expenditure = total project cost.
• The income you list must exactly match what you plan to spend on the project.

These requirements work together and must all be met for an application to be eligible.

In summary

Always calculate percentages using total project income, not just the Create NSW request.

Ensure the Create NSW amount is no more than 90% of total income (or, equivalently, that the contribution is at least 10%).

Make sure total income equals total expenditure, so the budget breaks even.

Support material should be recent and relevant. Most importantly it should clearly support the project you are proposing. 

Keep it focused. Only include material that is directly relevant and easy for assessors to review.

Support material can include documentation of current or previous work, project mock-ups or images, video/audio or text excerpts that help to outline the work that you have done or are proposing. If relevant, you may wish to supply biographies/CV's for relevant parties engaged in your project.

Yes. The inclusion of fees that enable the artist/arts workers directly involved in the project to do their work can be included in your budget. This may be a percentage based on the number of childcare hours per week or ad hoc childcare required for the artist/arts worker to participate.  

Yes. Travel and accommodation can be included if they are directly related to the project.

Yes. Marketing and promotion costs to promote the project, reach audiences and share outcomes are eligible  and could include costs like design, printing and digital promotion.

Yes. Accessibility costs should be included where relevant. These could be any costs that remove barriers so all people, including people with disability or who are d/Deaf can participate, such as as Auslan, captioning, access support or access equipment.

Access costs could include the cost of childcare for the artist or arts worker to participate in the activity.

Paying wages and fees of artists and arts/cultural workers should be based on relevant awards and industry rates. For example, events or activities receiving funding from Create NSW must pay at least $250 fee for musicians. This fee is based on a ‘3 hour call’ as set out in the Live Performance Award.

Additional information regarding sector specific award rates can be found in the Glossary.

Yes, all wages and fees should be subject to on costs, superannuation and workers comp. For further details see  Australian Taxation Office.

Yes. You will need to clearly show:

• why those collaborators are essential
• how the project benefits NSW artists and/or audiences.

Not necessarily, however confirmation of activities, partners or collaborators can help to strengthen an application. 

Applications submitted to Create NSW’s Arts and Cultural Funding Program (ACFP) are assessed by 10 Artform Boards with up to 20 members on each board. Applicants can learn more about the Artform Boards via the Artform Board FAQs.

Create NSW supports applicants working across a broad range of artforms and mediums. Further information about the specific artforms that each Artform Boards support can be found in the Artform Board FAQs.

Choose the Artform Board that best matches the main focus of your practice and development activity.

If your work crosses disciplines, select the board best placed to understand the context of what you are proposing.

If your work is cross-disciplinary, focus on the board that is most aligned to your:

• long-term practice
• main purpose of the activity.

Yes. Previous funding recipients are listed on the guidelines page of each round, and can be found via the Funding Calendar. 

Grants are generally considered to be income and may affect your tax. Create NSW is unable to offer tax advice, so applicants are encouraged to speak to a financial professional or contact the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) directly.

If applicants are seeking a large funding request it is highly recommended that they understand the tax implications of receiving funds prior to contracting. 

No. Budgets should be exclusive of GST. If you are successful you can include GST on your invoice if required.

Creative Steps focuses on new work by individuals and unincorporated groups. Cultural Access has a stronger focus on projects that are led by and/or significantly support Strategic Priority Areas, and it is also open to organisations.

You need to choose the stream that best matches the main purpose and leadership of the project. You cannot apply to both in the same round.

Before you start

We encourage you to review the eligibility and assessment criteria before starting your application. This will help you understand the requirements of the program and determine whether your project is suitable.

Accessing SmartyGrants

• If you are a new user, you will need to register and create a password before starting your application.
• If you are already registered, you can log in using your existing username and password.

Viewing the application form

Please note that SmartyGrants uses conditional logic. This means:

• You are unable to view all sections of the application when you first begin.
• Additional pages and questions will become visible as you complete earlier sections and depending on your responses.

Yes. Applicants can request:

• a Word version of the form
• dictation support
• translation support
• the option to answer some questions by audio or video.

No. Applications must be submitted via SmartyGrants.

No. Create NSW staff can provide general guidance on the guidelines and eligibility, but they cannot give feedback on draft applications.

If your project is not suitable for this grant round we encourage you to explore current and future funding opportunities listed on our Funding Calendar. To keep up to date with Create NSW opportunities we encourage you to sign up to the Create NSW E-News.

Create NSW staff can provide information on the guidelines, but cannot provide feedback on draft applications.

If you have a question, please check the online resources posted at: nsw.gov.au/acfp.

This webpage includes links to:

• FAQs, continuously updated with answers to common questions throughout application period;
• Glossary of definitions and common terms;
• Webinar recordings for information on each of the ACFP Project programs; and
• Information on the Artform Boards.

For technical assistance, or if you have a question that is not in the FAQs, you can contact Create NSW via:

• Email: arts.funding@create.nsw.gov.au
• Phone: (02) 9228 4578

Applications go through:

• an eligibility check
• assessment and scoring by the relevant Create NSW Artform Boards
• board recommendations
• approval by the NSW Minister for the Arts.

Outcomes are expected in August 2026. Applicants will be notified of their outcome via email once the results are finalised. 

Successful applicants will receive a funding agreement outlining payment arrangements, reporting requirements and acknowledgement requirements. All recipients must complete an acquittal at the end of the project.

Create NSW does not provide individual feedback on unsuccessful applications. General feedback from your Artform Board will be provided with your outcome notification.