About the program
The Western Sydney Community Festivals Program supports existing Western Sydney arts and/or cultural festivals to strengthen their creative and cultural programming.
The program aims to grow audiences, support artists and creative workers, encourage partnerships, activate places and precincts, and celebrate the diverse communities of Western Sydney.
The funding is intended to support activity that expands, strengthens or diversifies an existing festival’s arts, cultural or creative content.
For example, this may include:
- New programming streams
- New commissions
- Additional performances
- Artist residencies
- Exhibitions
- Creative activations
- Community cultural programming
- Expanded audience experiences
The grant is not intended to fund the continuation of existing programming without enhancement.
Yes. Applications should focus on the specific new or enhanced arts, cultural or creative program that will be funded through this grant and clearly demonstrate how it contributes to the overall festival.
No. The program is designed to support and strengthen existing festivals that have already been delivered at least twice within the last four years.
Festival eligibility and programming
Festivals may have a range of community, cultural or civic purposes. To be competitive, applicants should demonstrate a strong arts, cultural or creative industries focus within their proposed funded activity.
Yes. Multicultural festivals are encouraged to apply where the proposed activity includes arts, cultural or creative programming and aligns with the objectives of the program.
Yes. Festivals that operate on a biennial basis are eligible, provided they have been delivered at least twice within the last four years (since 1 December 2022) and meet all other eligibility requirements.
Yes. NSW local government authorities are eligible applicants where they meet all program eligibility requirements and are responsible for delivering the festival.
Yes. Partnerships and collaborations are encouraged. One eligible organisation must act as the lead applicant and enter into the funding agreement if successful.
Yes. Funding can support activity delivered across multiple dates, venues or locations within an eligible festival, provided the proposed activity is clearly described and can be delivered within the project timeframe.
Applicants should explain how the programming contributes to the festival's objectives and audience outcomes.
Yes. Funding can support new or enhanced programming activity delivered across multiple eligible festivals, provided the proposed activity is clearly described and can be delivered within the project timeframe.
Applicants should explain how this programming would contribute to the festival's objectives and audience outcomes.
Potentially. A cultural festival could be an event or series of events that celebrates, showcases or promotes the traditions, heritage, values, beliefs and identities of a particular community, group or region.
Cultural festivals may include a wide range of activities focused on:
- Food traditions
- Religious or spiritual practices
- Language, culture and storytelling
- Music (excluding contemporary music) and dance
- Community gatherings or celebrations
A cultural festival does not need to focus on a single culture. Festivals may also celebrate cultural diversity, intercultural exchange, or the shared traditions, histories and experiences of multiple communities.
Applicants should clearly explain how the funded activity aligns with the objectives of the program.
Yes, contemporary music and film elements may be included as part of your proposed new or enhanced arts, cultural and creative program.
Please note:
- festivals with a primary focus on contemporary music are not eligible to apply under this grant program. Refer to the glossary for this definition and contact Sound NSW for more information.
- Screen production companies and film festivals are also not eligible to apply. Funding programs for these areas are managed by Screen NSW.
Yes. Funding may support the commissioning, development or presentation of new artistic, cultural or creative work where it forms part of the proposed new or enhanced festival program and contributes to the program objectives.
Yes. Funding can support expansion into new locations, precincts or communities where this forms part of the proposed new or enhanced programming and contributes to audience growth, community engagement and place activation outcomes.
Applicants should explain how the expansion will be delivered and why it is needed.
No. The application can focus on one component or stream of a larger festival. However, applicants should clearly explain how the funded activity sits within the broader festival and how it contributes to the overall festival experience and program objectives.
Budget and funding
No. A financial or in-kind contribution is welcomed but is not required.
Yes. Artist fees are an eligible expense and should reflect appropriate industry rates. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate fair remuneration for artists, creative workers and cultural practitioners.
Yes. Commercial events staged using, in whole or in part, public funding received from Create NSW must implement a minimum fee of $250 for musicians.
Yes. Marketing and audience development activities directly related to the new or enhanced programming are eligible expenses.
Yes. Costs that improve participation and access for audiences, artists, creative workers or communities are eligible.
Permanent equipment purchases and capital expenditure are not eligible.
Temporary equipment hire that is directly required for delivery of the program may be eligible.
Applicants should provide sufficient detail to demonstrate how the funding will be used and that the proposed costs are reasonable, eligible and represent value for money.
As a guide, budgets should identify key expenditure categories such as:
- Artist fees
- Production costs
- Venue hire
- Audience development
- Accessibility costs
- Marketing
- Project management
Yes. Existing funding from councils, government agencies, sponsors or other sources does not prevent an organisation from applying.
However, applicants must demonstrate that this funding will support new or enhanced arts, cultural or creative programming and will not duplicate activity already funded through another source.
Partnerships and audience development
Partnerships may include:
- Arts and cultural organisations
- Creative producers
- Presenting partners
- Cultural organisations
- Community groups
- Educational institutions
- Local businesses
Applicants should explain how the partnership contributes to the proposed outcomes.
No. However, applicants are encouraged to provide evidence of discussions, commitments or intended partnerships where available.
No. Letters of support are optional.
Where partnerships are important to the proposal, evidence of confirmed relationships or collaboration arrangements is generally more useful than general support letters.
Audience projections should be realistic and informed by:
- Previous festival attendance
- Audience research
- Ticketing data
- Community demand
- Comparable events
- Other relevant information
Applicants should explain both the projected audience numbers and the strategies that will be used to reach those audiences.
Applicants should provide realistic audience estimates and explain how they have been developed, drawing on previous festival attendance, market research or audience trends where possible.
First Nations content and accessibility
Applicants should demonstrate appropriate cultural consultation, engagement and governance processes.
Relevant First Nations protocols and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) considerations should be incorporated into project planning and budgeting.
Application and assessment
Yes. For the purposes of this program, where the applicant is a local government authority, each business unit is considered a separate applicant and may submit its own application.
Applicants should provide clear evidence that the festival has been delivered at least twice within the last four years.
Evidence may include:
- Festival programs
- Websites
- Marketing materials
- Evaluation reports
- Audience data
- Media coverage
- Photographs
- Annual reports
- Other documentation demonstrating previous delivery
No. There are no funding allocations or quotas by local government area.
Applications are assessed competitively against the published assessment criteria.
No. Applications are assessed against the published criteria. The scale of a festival alone does not determine competitiveness.
Yes. Interstate and international artists may be included where they contribute to the objectives of the proposed programming.
Applicants should also demonstrate how the activity creates opportunities for Western Sydney artists and creative workers, consistent with the program objectives.
No. Applicants do not need to have every artist, performer or activity confirmed at the time of application.
However, applicants should provide as much information as possible about proposed programming, intended artists, creative partners and delivery plans to demonstrate feasibility and readiness.