Arts and Cultural Funding Program

2-Year Multi-year Funding

2-Year Multi-year Funding
2-Year Multi-year funding provides 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. 
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Key information

  • Status: Closed
  • Grant amount: Applicants can apply for a minimum of $60,000 and a maximum of $200,000 per year, subject to type of organisation eligibility that is applying.
  • Application opened: 8 April 2025
  • Application closed: 26 May 2025, 2:00 pm

Program objective

The 2-Year Multi-year funding aims to support both new and established arts and cultural organisations to develop ways to strengthen and grow the NSW arts and culture ecology, create innovative artistic content and products, and drive positive social outcomes for NSW citizens.  

Applications in 2025 will provide funding for a two-year period, from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027 inclusive. 

Image: Powerhouse Youth Theatre Fairfield, Katma Creative Development. Photo by Anna Kucera

This program is administered by Create NSW.

Eligibility

1

Who can apply

Funding Request by eligible organisation types: 

  • Arts and cultural organisations that have not previously received annual or multi-year organisational funding from Create NSW can apply for $60,000 up to $100,000 per year.
  • Established arts and cultural organisations that have previously received annual or multi-year organisational funding from Create NSW in 2022/23, 2023/24 or 2025 can apply for $60,000 up to $200,000 per year.

Funding requests must:

  • not be more than 80% of program costs
  • be realistic and supported by the application and budget 
  • be commensurate with the level of programming

Note: If your organisation is successful in achieving multi-year funding, you cannot apply for any additional ACFP project funding.

To be eligible to apply, your organisation must demonstrate all the items below:

  • be based in NSW unless approved by Director Arts, Create NSW*.
  • be a not-for-profit arts and cultural organisation, service organisation or LGA with a primary purpose of arts and cultural activity
  • have an ABN (Individual business units and entities of LGAs, such as art galleries and performing arts centres, are eligible to submit applications on their own behalf if they have their own ABN. If the business unit or entity does not have its own ABN, the application must be submitted by the LGA on behalf of the business unit)
  • have operated as a legally constituted entity – and can demonstrate delivery of arts, cultural or creative programs or services - for a minimum of one year at time of application
  • be able to address and deliver on at least one of the ACFP priorities
  • include an independent financial contribution of at least 20% (including in-kind) of the grant application
  • have an annual turn-over in the applicant's most recent financial year greater than $30,000 (including Create NSW Grant/s but excluding Create Infrastructure and COVID funding)
  • if working with First Nations artists and/or communities, confirm you adhere to Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property policies and procedures and Create NSW Aboriginal Cultural Protocols when working with First Nations artists and/or communities

*Note: In exceptional circumstances the Director, Arts can authorise an application from an organisation located outside of NSW that can demonstrate significant benefits to NSW. Any exceptions to this eligibility criteria will be documented and submitted to the decision-maker as part of any recommendation.

If you are an independent arts and cultural organisation based outside NSW and can demonstrate that your program fills a gap in the NSW arts and culture ecology, approval to apply to this round must be sought no later than two weeks prior to the round closing by emailing multiyear@create.nsw.gov.au.

2

Types of projects funded under this grant

Eligible programs include organisations that are delivering a program of activity with the core purpose of providing arts, cultural or creative programs or services for NSW citizens to contribute to and experience.

Funding requests must:

  • not be more than 80% of program costs
  • allocate 10% of per annum funding request to support collaboration
  • be realistic and supported by the application and budget
  • be commensurate with the level of programming.
3

When the project can start and end

Applications in 2025 will provide funding for a two-year period, from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027 inclusive.

The project should be started by 1 January 2026 and the project must be completed by 31 December 2027.

4

Who can’t apply

Your organisation cannot apply if it:

  • Is a for-profit organisation.
  • Is a sole trader.
  • Has already been successful for Create NSW ACFP funding for the same period, including ACFP project funding, 4+4 or 4-Year Multi-year funding. If you have recently been successful for 4-year Multi-year funding you can only apply for 2-year Multi-year if you have formally rejected the offer by emailing multiyear@create.nsw.gov.au
  • Has a primary focus on filmmaking, screen production, mainstream animation, digital games, or film festivals (funding programs for these areas are managed by Screen NSW).
  • Has a primary focus on contemporary music (all funding programs for contemporary music are now managed by Sound NSW) 
  • Is an educational institution (including preschools, primary and secondary schools).
  • Is a national performing arts partnership organisation.
  • Is a state or federal government department/agency, including state cultural institutions.
  • Does not engage professional artists or professional arts/cultural workers as key creative personnel.
  • Is requesting more than 80% of total program funding from Create NSW (all applications must include income from other sources).
  • Has an annual turnover of less than $30,000.
  • Has a primary focus of delivering competitions, awards or fundraising activities.
  • Has been advised by Create NSW that your organisation is not eligible for further funding as a result of failing to meet contract conditions.
5

What costs you can't apply for

What funds cannot be used for:

  • Arts and cultural activities that are led by non-professional artist/s, practitioners and/or arts and cultural workers
  • cost of regular maintenance and repairs, building and/or capital works
  • filmmaking, screen production, mainstream animation or film festivals (funding programs for these areas are managed by Screen NSW)
  • Contemporary music activities as defined by Sound NSW.
  • revitalisation of urban precincts
  • the purchase of artworks, land or buildings
  • loan repayments
  • competitions, awards, fundraising activities or prize money
  • the delivery of devolved funding programs, unless authorised by Create NSW
  • Local Government Authority operational costs and capital items
  • compliance with local government environmental or sustainability plans
  • costs already incurred or retrospective funding for activities already completed or due to be completed before the funding period commences.
6

What co-contributions are required

Applications must not request more than 80% funding from Create NSW (all applications must include income from other sources).

7

Additional eligibility requirements

Successful applicants will be expected to deliver on at least one of the following ACFP priorities:

  • 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

Most recent recipients

All recipients (62)

What your application needs to include

1

Prepare your application with this checklist

All applicants must submit the following materials. All materials will form part of the assessment:

  • A completed online application form
  • Samples of work (eg. attach images, short video files, PDF)
  • A detailed artistic/service plan of activities in 2026 (see requirements below)
  • Organisational structure (if confirmed)
  • Audited financial report or equivalent for 2024
  • Projected budget for 2026, including a breakdown of funding sources (optional budget template provided).

Create NSW may also use previously submitted acquittal and forward plan data and information to inform the decision making of this funding round.

Resources and templates

2

Address the eligibility criteria

Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.

Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.

3

Address the assessment criteria

The 10 Artform Boards will assess applications based on the following weighted assessment criteria:

Artistic and/or Business Innovation (40%)

  • Demonstrates an innovative approach to the delivery of services, programs and/or products in the NSW arts and cultural ecology
  • Demonstrates creative vision through either the development of new work, development of new arts and cultural products, enhanced programming, service delivery and/or business development improvements
  • Demonstrates a commitment to forging and leveraging partnerships and/or collaborations
  • Delivers programming and/or capacity building that provides social as well as cultural value OR for service organisations, devolved funding and/or development programs to build sector sustainability

Diversity and Participation (30%)

  • Demonstrate First Nations self-determination by providing opportunities for First Nations creatives and arts and cultural workers
  • Delivers programming and/or services that are inclusive and accessible
  • Demonstrates engagement of local and diverse audiences or communities of NSW
  • Engages, supports, develops and promotes NSW arts and cultural workers, including creating pipelines for emerging workers and leaders

Organisational Sustainability (30%)

  • Organisations must demonstrate good governance, safe workplaces and strong financial management

Start the application

Online portal

Create NSW uses the secure online grants system, SmartyGrants, to manage all of its grant programs. All ACFP applications must be submitted via the online portal. You will receive an email confirmation of your application from SmartyGrants when your application has been accepted.

The online application form contains four questions requiring written responses:

  1. Briefly describe the purpose of your organisation and its contribution to the NSW arts and culture ecology. Describe the innovative or unique approach to programs, products, partnerships and/or services the organisation delivers.
  2. Briefly describe the proposed NSW activities you will deliver over the two-year period. This should include all business or product development activities.
  3. Briefly describe how your organisation will support participation by diverse communities and audiences.
  4. Briefly describe how your organisation will support skills development and/or career pathway opportunities for artists and/or arts and cultural workers. This should include your approach to safe work practices and appropriately renumerated employment opportunities. For example, it is required that commercial events staged using, in whole or in part, public funding received from Create NSW implement a $250 minimum fee for musicians. This fee is based on a ‘3 hour call’, as set out in the Live Performance Award and endorsed by the Fair Work Ombudsman.]

Artistic/service plan of activities - requirements

Your detailed artistic/service plan addressing activities for 2026 will be evaluated against the assessment criteria. The plan of activities will be attached to the online application form (mandatory template provided).

Your program of activities should clearly outline:

  • Program vision
  • What the activity is
  • Where the activity will take place
  • When the activity will take place
  • Key personnel and if they are confirmed
  • Target audience.

Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.


Apply now

After the application is submitted

Successful applications will be decided by: Minister for the Arts

Applications will undergo a staged assessment process, including assessment against eligibility and essential criteria, as outlined below.

Assessment process

Once your application has been submitted, you will receive an email confirmation from our secure online grants system, SmartyGrants. Applications will be initially reviewed by Create NSW staff to ensure they meet eligibility requirements, and all application materials are acceptable.

After eligibility is confirmed, the application will be evaluated by members from one of the 10 Artform Boards. Applications will be assessed with organisations of similar type, against the published criteria and consistent with these guidelines. Presenting organisations that program activities and events across multiple artforms are encouraged to select 'multi-arts' as their secondary artform in the application form menu. These applications will be assessed by a subcommittee of members drawn from across the relevant Artform Boards.

Please note that funding allocation follows a competitive process. Evaluations by the Artform Boards will consider the assessment criteria, the demographics, distribution, organisation type, range and scale of applications. This may include prioritising programs and organisations with outcomes that address ACFP Strategic Priority Areas, geographical spread, artform spread and the Visual Arts, Craft and Design Framework to ensure equity across the state and the best outcomes for NSW Government investment. Create NSW will consolidate evaluations and finalise recommendations based on the quality of the applications as assessed by the Artform Boards, demand by artform, availability of funds, distribution across the state, the Visual Arts, Craft and Design Framework and ACFP Strategic Priority Areas.

Notification of application outcomes

All applicants will be notified within one week of the final approval of funding commitments by government. The anticipated assessment outcome timeframe is estimated to be August/September 2025. Feedback will be provided to unsuccessful applicants only. Successful applicants will meet with Create NSW at the contracting stage.

Assessment Process Considerations

Applicants should note that:

  • The NSW Government typically receives far more applications than it can support.
  • You are not guaranteed funding even if your application meets the published criteria.
  • If you are successful, your application may not be funded to the amount you requested.

Create NSW may, at its sole discretion and at any stage of the application process, do all or any of the following:

  • Require additional information from an applicant.
  • may request applicants to provide clarification or additional information regarding the Eligibility Criteria
  • Change the scope of the requirements of these guidelines.
  • Vary, amend (including by replacement), or terminate the application process.
  • Re-open an application after the closing date, provided it doesn’t give the applicant an advantage over other applicants.
  • Consider any non-conforming or late application.
  • Allow cross-board consultation on applications.
  • Request further advice and/or clarification from applicants during the assessment process. 

Artform Boards:

  • May set aside an application if it is assessed as below acceptable in any one of the published criteria.
  • May consider whether an application needs to be reallocated to another board for assessment.
  • May ask for a Cultural Review from Create NSW First Nations staff or the First Nations Arts and Culture Artform Board for applications with First Nations content and engagement.
  • Artform Board assessor's names will be published on the Create NSW web pages prior to closing of the 2-year Multi-year Funding round on 26th May 2025.

Publication of grants information

The Grants Administration Guide (Guide) requires that certain information is published in relation to grants awarded no later than 45 calendar days after the grant agreement takes effect (see section 6.5 of the Guide and Appendix A to the Guide).

This information is also open access information under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) (GIPA Act), which must be made publicly available unless there is an overriding public interest against disclosure of the information.

In accordance with these requirements, relevant information about the grants awarded will be made available on the NSW Government Grants and Funding Finder as soon as possible after the grant agreement is executed.

However, due to the commercial-in-confidence nature of the information provided, the amount of funding provided will not be published.

All records in relation to this decision will be managed in accordance with the requirements of the State Records Act 1998 (NSW).

Successful grant applications

Successful applicants for 2-Year Multi-year Funding will need to: 

  • Enter into a two-year funding agreement for 2026-2027
  • Provide Key Performance Indicators and evaluation data.

Reporting

Reporting requirements will be subject to awarded grant amounts:

  • All successful applicants will be required to meet with Create NSW each year to discuss KPI outcomes, artistic program delivery and financial health.
  • Provide audited financial reports in Year 1 *
  • Provide an artistic and financial acquittal at the end of year 2.

*Financial reports must be audited or externally reviewed (note the reporting period for these reports will be 1 January to 31 December).

Grant Agreement

  • If your application is successful, you will be sent a funding agreement (contract). This outlines the conditions of funding, how you will be paid and your grant reporting requirements.
  • Prior to contracting, successful applicants will need to provide Key Performance Indicators and evaluation data. This includes the special condition that 10% of allocated funding per annum supports collaboration with collaborative activities negotiated with Create NSW to ensure agreed outputs are met.
  • Successful applicants may be asked to provide a reference letter from First Nations peers or community groups, as well as adherence to ICIP and Aboriginal Protocols, if appropriate.
  • Successful applicants will be asked to provide an active ABN, bank account with the same name or details of the organisation prior to contracting.
  • Funding agreements will not be issued, and payments will not be made, until all Create NSW outstanding acquittals have been submitted.
  • Create NSW staff will review required reporting and may contact you for additional information as part of this process.

Successful applicants must acknowledge Create NSW funding in all publicity materials. The detail of this will be outlined in the funding agreement.

Program Evaluation

From time to time, the ACFP will be evaluated to measure how well its outcomes and objectives have been achieved.

We may collect and use information from your application and reports for this purpose. We may also interview you or ask you for more information to help us understand how the program impacted your organisation and to evaluate how effective the program was in achieving its outcomes.

We may contact your organisation up to three years after you receive the final grant payment associated with the program for more information to assist with this evaluation. Create NSW and the NSW Audit Office reserves the right to undertake an audit of program funding and support within seven years.

Tracking, reporting and an independent audit will be a requirement of the funding agreement. 

Anticipated assessment outcome date is within one week of the final approval of funding commitments by government. The anticipated assessment outcome date is August 2025.

Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is within one month of successful notification.

Support and contact

Create NSW staff are available to provide technical advice and general information to potential applicants on the interpretation of these guidelines, including the types of activity eligible for funding and support with the online application process. For further information or clarification, please contact Create NSW staff between 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday on:

  • Ph: 02 9372 8700
  • Email: multiyear@create.nsw.gov.au
  • One on one meetings - Book here

Create NSW staff cannot help directly with your application. To maintain a fair and equitable process, staff cannot edit or correct any applications or provide advice on the content or choices required against the Assessment Criteria.

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