Regional Arts Touring FAQs

Regional Arts Touring supports artists, arts and cultural workers, groups and organisations to tour arts and cultural work across regional NSW.

The program supports tours that:

• increase access to diverse and innovative arts experiences in regional NSW
• support the presentation of new work, including work by underrepresented artists and groups
• build visibility for NSW artists and cultural workers
• contribute to community wellbeing and regional economic development
• help organisations develop new markets and audiences through touring.

A tour is presenting a production or exhibition in a location outside where the work was created and/or where the applicant is based.

Regional NSW means all NSW local government areas outside Greater Sydney.

If you are based in regional NSW, you can also include a Sydney or Western Sydney component in your tour.

Eligible applicants include:

• individuals aged 18 or over who have lived in NSW for at least 12 months
• unincorporated groups applying through a lead applicant
• organisations with legal status, including companies, associations, partnerships and eligible NSW local government business units.

Yes. Unincorporated groups can apply if:

• the lead applicant is 18 or over and has an ABN or funds administrator
• the majority of members have lived in NSW for the past 12 months
• the group has a written and signed agreement outlining roles and responsibilities

Yes. Organisations with legal status can apply.

NSW-based organisations are preferred. If your organisation is based outside NSW, it is strongly recommended that you contact Create NSW before applying.

Yes. Multi-year funded organisations are eligible to apply for Regional Arts Touring funding. Organisation are encouraged to demonstrate that their tour is a distinct activity that does not form part of the multi-year funded organisations core program.

Yes. Successful applicants must have an active ABN and nominated bank account, or use a funds administrator by the time of contracting.

No. You can only submit one application to this round. If more than one is submitted, you may be asked to choose one for assessment.

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

No. You cannot apply to this round if you were successful in the previous Regional Arts Touring 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.

• Individuals and groups: $10,000 to $75,000
• Organisations: $20,000 to $120,000

Yes. Create NSW does not fund 100% of the tour. You must contribute at least 10% through cash or in-kind support.

Funding requests must not exceed 90% of total tour income.

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

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

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

The tour must:

• start after 1 September 2026
• be completed by 1 September 2028.

Yes. You can apply for tours that are still in development, including tours with unconfirmed venues or dates, as long as the proposal is realistic and well planned.

No. Retrospective costs and tours that start before the funding period are not eligible.

Eligible costs can include:

• venue or space hire
• community engagement and audience development costs
• marketing and promotion
• artist and arts worker fees paid at appropriate industry rates
• First Nations protocols and ICIP costs
• accessibility supports.

Yes. Artist and arts worker fees are eligible and should be based on appropriate industry rates.

Yes. Commercial events supported by public funding must pay musicians at least $250 for a three-hour call.

Yes. Community engagement and audience development are eligible and are an important part of a strong touring proposal.

Yes. Accessibility costs should be included where relevant.

Yes. If the tour works with First Nations artists, communities or content, protocol and ICIP costs should be included where relevant.

The program does not support:

• activity tied to education course requirements
• tours led by people who are not professional artists or cultural workers
• retrospective costs or costs already incurred
• equipment not directly required for the tour
• capital works or infrastructure
• fundraising, donations, awards or prizes
• loan repayments
• screen production activity
• contemporary music activity that belongs under Sound NSW.

Ineligible applicants include:

• government departments and agencies
• schools and educational institutions
• Key Festivals, State Significant Organisations and National Performing Arts Partnership Organisations
• current or recent Create NSW employees.

Applications are assessed by the Regional Arts Touring Sub-committee.

Individuals and groups are assessed separately from organisations.

Applications are assessed against three weighted criteria:

• Idea – 50%
• Diversity, Participation and Connection to Place – 30%
• Planning, Experience and Financial Management – 20%

This looks at whether the tour:

• clearly presents work designed for and engaging regional NSW communities
• is relevant and significant to the artform or area of practice
• supports artist development or organisational capacity
• contributes to community wellbeing and regional economic outcomes
• includes appropriate collaborations and partnerships
• represents value for money at the proposed scale.

This looks at whether the tour:

• supports regional NSW artists, workers, groups or organisations
• strengthens inclusion and equitable access in regional NSW
• builds diverse cultural leadership
• has a meaningful connection to the places where it happens
• supports First Nations self-determination and cultural practice, where relevant.

This looks for:

• a clear and realistic touring plan
• well-sequenced activities and timelines
• the right people, skills and experience
• a realistic budget aligned to the tour
• appropriate consideration of accessibility, consultation, protocols and ICIP.

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.

Your application must include:

• a completed online application form
• work samples, up to 25MB, as PDF or links
• letters of invitation, collaboration or partnership, where relevant
• outcome information, including locations and estimated audience or employment numbers, where relevant.

Yes. Applicants must clearly confirm that they meet all eligibility requirements. Applications that do not fully address eligibility may be excluded.

Yes. If relevant, applicants may be asked to provide additional information such as a Connection to Place statement or further detail about protocols and ICIP.

Assessors said stronger applications:

• explained the context of where the idea came from
• outlined the purpose in simple language and avoided jargon
• gave a strong, clear pitch that was easy to understand
• clearly outlined the steps the project would take to engage target communities
• showed genuine understanding of, and engagement with, regional communities and priority groups where relevant
• provided concise information about the artists involved and their relevant experience
• explained why each touring location was suitable and showed a clear rationale for touring to those places
• included timelines, budgets and activities that were consistent, realistic and aligned
• included budget notes explaining larger costs and clearly separated regional touring costs
• made sure all weblinks worked and were easy for the panel to access.

To strengthen the Idea section:

• explain where the touring idea came from
• describe the purpose in plain language
• make the tour easy to understand, even for someone unfamiliar with the artists or project
• give a strong short pitch that explains why the tour matters.

Make sure you:

• clearly describe who the tour is for and who will benefit
• outline practical steps for engaging regional communities and audiences
• explain why each place is the right place for the work
• show evidence of meaningful local consultation where relevant
• explain protocols and ICIP clearly if the tour involves First Nations artists, communities or content.

Keep this section concise but specific.

Do not assume the panel already knows the artists or partners involved.

Briefly explain:

• who they are
• what relevant touring, creative or community experience they bring
• why they are the right people for this tour.

Be specific about:

• why these locations were chosen
• how the places connect to the project and audience
• how local communities will connect with the activity
• how your relationship to place is reflected, while respecting the distinct connections of First Nations peoples.

A stronger planning section:

• shows a timeline, budget and activity plan that all align
• is specific about what activities will happen, where, and when
• clearly links activities to expected outcomes.

A stronger budget:

• includes budget notes for larger amounts
• clearly explains artist and arts worker fees
• includes accessibility, protocol and community engagement costs where relevant
• clearly shows funding for regional touring activity
• lists all income sources, not just the Create NSW request.

Support material should be:

• relevant to the tour
• easy to open and review
• limited to what the panel needs to understand the strength of the proposal
• checked carefully so that all links work properly.

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 application form
• support to dictate or translate responses
• the option to answer questions using audio or video
• support through the National Relay Service.

No. Staff can provide general information on the guidelines, but they cannot provide feedback on draft applications.

Who do I contact for support?

You can contact Create NSW by:

• email: arts.funding@create.nsw.gov.au
• phone: (02) 9228 4578

After submission:

• Create NSW checks eligibility
• the Regional Arts Touring Sub-committee scores applications
• scores are discussed and recommendations are finalised
• Create NSW consolidates recommendations
• final decisions are approved by the Minister for the Arts.

Outcomes are expected by August 2026.

Successful applicants will receive a funding agreement, must acknowledge Create NSW support, and complete an acquittal at the end of the funding period.

Yes. Funding is competitive, and successful applicants may receive less than the amount requested.