Key information
- Status: Not open for application
- Grant amount: Contact Create NSW
Program objective
This invite only program aims to support organisations implement programs and initiatives that have been identified as priorities for the NSW creative industries in published plans or strategies.
Eligibility
Who can apply
- An applicant must be invited by Create NSW to make an application.
- Applicants must legally be able to enter into an agreement with Create NSW.
Applicants will need
- an active ABN (Australian Business Number)
- an active bank account with the same name as the ABN.
The following plans and strategies are eligible for funding under this Program, including but not limited to:
- Creative Communities | NSW Government
- Heartland: a plan for regional NSW arts, culture and creative industries 2026-2035
- Plan for Western Sydney Arts, Culture and Creative Industries: 2025-2028
- NSW Fashion Sector Strategy 2025-2028
- Stories Matter: A Writing and Literature Strategy for NSW 2025-2028
Create NSW will invite applicants to apply, following a meeting with Create NSW staff, and submission of a high-level written expression of interest (EOI).
All potential applicants should contact the Associate Director, Strategic Programs at michelle.duncombe@create.nsw.gov.au to book a meeting to confirm eligibility and discuss the EOI process.
A submitted EOI must demonstrate at a high level how the project will meet the program outcomes. The EOI will be considered by the Associate Director, Strategic Programs and a recommendation made to the Director Program Development and Delivery.
Create NSW, at its sole discretion, may seek additional information from the applicant to better understand the proposed program and budget. It may also work with the applicant to clarify how the proposed project will meet the funding objectives of this funding program.
If the EOI is approved by the Director, Program Development and Delivery, applicants will be invited to submit a full application for assessment by an assessment panel using the SmartyGrants portal.
Who can’t apply
- Individuals
- Organisations who have not been invited to apply by Create NSW
What you can't apply for
- program and operational costs for existing activities
- activities funded through other programs delivered by the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport
- activities that have not been identified through a published creative industries plan or strategy
- fundraising activity, donations or competitions
- costs incurred in the preparation of a grant application or related documentation
- costs not directly related to the delivery of the project
- projects or activities that are led by people who aren’t professional arts and cultural workers or creatives
- the purchase of land or property
- loan repayments, debt servicing costs or repayments of existing financial liabilities.
Address the assessment criteria
All applications under the Create NSW Strategy and Plan Funding Program are assessed individually, without reference to the comparative merits of other applications. The ad hoc process will enable Create NSW to respond to time sensitive requests and proposals that are not supported through other Create NSW funding.
Applications will be assessed by Create NSW staff and an independent assessor with relevant sector or regional experience. Should assessment of an application require specific expertise, an additional assessor with relevant experience may be included. All assessments will be based on the following weighted assessment criteria:
Benefit to the NSW creative industries (50%)
Evidence of the need for the activity and its expected impact.
Applications should demonstrate:
- the need for the activity and its expected outcomes
- the intended beneficiaries of the activity and the organisation’s experience working with that group
- the anticipated impact of the activity for the intended beneficiaries
- alignment with NSW Government policy objectives and relevant plan or strategy.
Track record of working with industry (25%)
Evidence of previous experience and successful engagement within the targeted industry.
Applications should demonstrate:
- experience working within the targeted industry or sector
- organisation’s approach to engaging with the targeted industry
- evidence of previous significant outcomes.
Viability of the activity (25%)
Evidence of the organisation’s capacity to deliver the activity.
Applications should demonstrate:
- previous experience delivering similar activities
- a clear governance structure
- previous experience administering significant funds
- key people and partners involved, including confirmation of their participation
- a detailed budget outlining all expenses associated with the activity and any other investment in the activity
- how this activity will deliver value for money for the NSW government.
Create NSW is committed to supporting diverse creative industries across NSW and encourages applications from First Nations people, women and non-binary people, people with disability or who are d/Deaf, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people from Western Sydney, regional NSW and remote communities.
The Program will be administered in accordance with the NSW Grants Administration Guide.
Image: Eek - Female Wizard - Harrison Hall - Sam Mcgilp - »STACK« - Radialsystem - 30 Jan 2025 - CTM Festival 2025 © Camille Blake
This program is administered by Create NSW.
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.
Create NSW staff cannot help directly with an 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.
For further information or clarification, please contact:
Michelle Duncombe
Associate Director, Strategic Programs
Email: michelle.duncombe@create.nsw.gov.au
Phone: (02) 9228 4895
Create NSW
Complaint handling
Further information about complaint handling, access to information and the collection and handling of private information is available at:
https://www.create.nsw.gov.au/about-us/feedback-complaints-privacy-and-government-information
Access to information
The Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA) provides for the proactive release of government information by agencies and gives members of the public an enforceable right to access government information held by an agency (which includes Ministerial offices). Access to government information is only to be restricted if there is an overriding public interest against disclosure.
The NSW Legislative Council has the power to order the production of State papers by the Executive Government. Standing Order 52 provides that the House may order documents to be tabled by the Government in the House. The Cabinet Office coordinates the preparation of the papers – that is, the return to order.
The return to order may contain privileged and public documents. Privileged documents are available only to members of the Legislative Council.
Note that documents submitted as part of a grant application may be subject to an application under GIPA or an order for papers under Standing Order 52.
Further information on how DCITHS holds information, and how to access it, is available at https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/dciths/policies-plans-and-procedures/access-to-information/agency-information-guide
Conflict of interest management
Any conflicts of interest will be managed in accordance with NSW Government Grants Administration Guide.
A conflict of interest, or perceived conflict of interest, may be identified if Department staff, assessment panel members, the applicant or staff employed by the applicant:
- has a professional, commercial, or personal relationship with a party who can influence the application selection process, or
- has a relationship with or interest in, an organisation, which is likely to interfere with or restrict the applicants from carrying out the proposed activities fairly and independently, or
- has a relationship with, or interest in, an organisation from which they will receive personal gain because the organisation received a grant under the grant program.
In the instance the Expression of Interest approver (Director, Program Development and Delivery) has a conflict of interest, the Executive Director, Create NSW will be the approver. In their absence or in the instance they have a conflict, the Secretary, Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport will be the approver.
Applicants must disclose any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest as part of their application or, if successful, as they arise during project implementation. Create NSW can be contacted 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) via email arts.funding@create.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 9228 4578.
NSW Government staff, committee members and other officials including the decision maker must declare any conflicts of interest and ensure they are managed as per the DCITHS Code of Ethics and Conduct and the Grants Administration Guide.