Arts and Cultural Funding Program

2026 Creative Steps - New Work

2026 Creative Steps - New Work
This funding supports creative development and presentation of new work by individual artists and arts and cultural workers. Applicants are encouraged to drive and develop partnerships with arts and cultural organisations to support their new works.
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Key information

  • Status: Open
  • Grant amount: From $10,000 to $75,000
  • Application opened: 13 April 2026
  • Application closes: 25 May 2026, 2:00 pm

Program objective

In response to the NSW arts, culture and creative industries policy, the purpose of this funding is to strengthen communities through equitable access to vibrant arts and cultural experiences.

This funding could:

  • enable the development, creation and presentation of new work
  • provide access to resources and expertise for artists and arts and cultural workers to enhance or develop skills and grow their career
  • facilitate engagement with and access to new work for NSW audiences
  • strengthen the creative ecosystem through collaborations and partnerships
  • amplify diverse voices and increase equitable opportunities for NSW artists and arts and cultural workers from Strategic Priority Areas
  • contribute to personal and community wellbeing, and economic development.

Image Credit: It’s Already Happened, We’re Just in the Past by Emily Parsons-Lord and Shan Turner-Carroll. Liveworks, 2024 at Carriageworks. Image courtesy of the artists

This program is administered by Create NSW.

Eligibility

1

Who can apply

Individuals: 

  • Applicants must be 18 years or above 
  • Have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) or be administered at time of contracting (if successful) 
  • Currently living in NSW (minimum 12 months) 

Groups or other entities that do not have legal status:  

  • The lead applicant must be 18 years or above, have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) or be administered at time of contracting (if successful)
  • Majority of members must currently be located in NSW (for the past 12 months) 
  • Unincorporated groups must have a written/ signed agreement between all members outlining roles and responsibilities, and their acceptance of the proposed project.

If successful, all applicants must provide details of an active ABN with a nominated bank account or provide details of a funds administrator. 

  • Individuals must have a sole trader ABN or private company ABN (only if the individual is the sole director) or a funds administrator and a nominated bank account. 

For more information on ABN and entities please use this link.

Funding requests must:

  • not be more than 90% of project’s income
  • be realistic and supported by the application and budget
2

Types of projects funded under this grant

The project must demonstrate it has a focus on arts and culture and directly benefits NSW artists, arts and cultural workers and/or NSW communities and audiences.  

It must be a creative development and/or the presentation of new work.  

3

What costs you can apply for

Costs you need to consider to make sure your project is a success: 

  • Paying wages and fees of artists and arts/cultural workers based on 
  • Renting or hiring of space for workshops, rehearsals, shows, exhibitions or presentations  
  • Travel and accommodation costs related to your work or project 
  • Fees for development opportunities, mentorships and workshops directly related to the research and development of the project  
  • Marketing and promotion expenses  
  • Costs or materials for the creation of new work  
  • Costs to support First Nations protocols and ICIP  
  • Costs to support accessibility.  
4

Who can’t apply

Ineligible applicants:

  • Have received funding before from Create NSW or Sound NSW for the same part of the project.  
  • Have already started the project (paying for costs of the project).  
  • Will start or finish the project before the funding period starts.  
  • Want funding related to filmmaking, screen production, mainstream animation or film festivals (funding programs for these areas are managed by Screen NSW). 
  • Want funding related to contemporary music (please refer to the glossary for this definition). For more information on this, you should contact Sound NSW. 
  • Organisations or groups (legally constituted entities with an ABN).  
5

What costs you can't apply for

  • Projects or activities that directly support the delivery or course requirements of an educational institution’s program or course  
  • Projects or activities that are led by people who aren’t professional artists, arts /and cultural workers, or creatives  
  • Paying back money for items you’ve already bought  
  • Buying equipment that isn’t directly used in your project  
  • Fundraising and donations  
  • Awards, prizes, competitions, or prize money  
  • Paying back loans.  
6

Example projects

Some examples of what may be funded under this grant are but not limited to: 

  • A Western Sydney visual artist who has developed a partnership with a local Council managed gallery seeks to develop a body of work exploring climate impact and the way it has changed the local ecology. 
  • A playwright who has approached a theatre company to develop a work with the inhouse team to support the development of their script with a presentation outcome at the end of the project. 
7

What co-contributions are required

Create NSW does not fund 100% of your project’s income. You must contribute at least 10% from other cash or in-kind support towards your project’s income. The definition of in-kind can be seen in the glossary.

8

Additional eligibility requirements

  • The project must start after 1 September 2026 and be completed by 31 December 2027. 
  • You can only submit oneapplication in this ACFP Project Funding round to Cultural Access, Creative Nations, Professional Development - Next Steps or Creative Steps – New work. If you submit more than one application, you will be asked to choose one for assessment. 

What your application needs to include

1

Prepare your application with this checklist

Before starting an application:

  • Read the guidelines and FAQs
  • Watch the Webinar
  • Check your eligibility

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

  • A completed online application form
  • Samples of work - up to a maximum of 25MB as PDF or URL/weblink  
  • Letters of invitation, collaboration, or partnership (where applicable)
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 Create NSW Artform Boards will assess applications based on three weighted assessment criteria:

Idea (50%)

  • 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.
  • The results of the activity are commensurate with the scope and scale of the proposal (does the project demonstrate value for money).

Diversity, Participation & Connection to Place (25%)

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

Planning, Experience & Financial Management (25%)

  • 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 (does the project demonstrate value for money).

Assessment Criteria will be considered against your responses to the questions in the application form:  

  1. Idea (50%)

In this section, describe what you want to do, why you want to do it and what you expect the results to be.

Question 1: What do you want to do and why? 

Describe your project, clearly summarising what the activity is, its aims and purpose. 

You may want to consider the following: 

  • What will your project involve?
  • Who is it for and why is it important?
  • What impact or benefit will the project have for the artist/s, arts and cultural workers, community and/or audience?
  • Why now?

2. Diversity, Participation & Connection to Place (25%)

In this section, describe who the project is for and what the impact will be. Describe how the project has meaningful connection to the place where it will happen.  

If your project includes working with First Nations communities or content, you must describe how your project is relevant, connected and appropriate. 

Question 2: Who is the project for, and who will benefit from it?  

You may want to consider the following: 

  • Who is the project relevant to?
  • Who will it benefit? For example artists, communities and/or audiences?
  • How does the project reflect perspectives of diverse communities in NSW?
  • What results do you want to see at the completion of your project?
  • Will your project increase access and participation in arts and cultural experiences? 
  • Does the project have connection to First Nations people/communities? 

The NSW Government is committed to ensuring fair access by all communities and individuals across the state. If the project engages with the needs of a community or has outcomes that significantly benefits Strategic Priority Areas, please include these details. The Strategic Priority Areas are: 

  • First Nations stories and communities
  • Accessibility and equity
  • Western Sydney
  • Regional NSW
  • Broad and inclusive communities and content
  • Next generation of creatives and audiences.

See the glossary   for definitions of the Strategic Priority Areas. 

Question 3: Connection to Place:

Why is this the right place for the project, and how is it connected to the local community or environment?

Please read the information about ‘Connection to Place Statement’ here. 

 You may want to consider the following:

  • Where will the project take place?
  • Why did you choose this location (or these locations)?
  • Have you engaged with the local community? Do they support the activity?
  • How is the project meaningfully connected to the place where it will happen?
  • If you are working with First Nations artists or communities, how are you connecting with First Nations people/communities? What connections have you already established? How do you understand and use the protocols for First Nations engagement and ICIP? You may be asked to provide a Cultural Artform Affirmation statement and/or your approach to Aboriginal Protocols and ICIP if the Artform Board wants more information.

 

3. Planning, Experience & Financial Management (25%)

In this section, demonstrate how you have planned to do the project, who will be involved and how you will manage any risks, including financial risks. 

Planning - Briefly outline the activities and dates for the proposed project, including any partnerships or collaborations. 

Question 4: How will the activities ensure you achieve the project goals?     

You may want to consider the following:

  • Do the activities align with the intended outcomes you described for the artists, arts and cultural workers, communities and/or audiences?
  • If the project includes partnerships or collaborations, how will they each contribute and what will they deliver and when?
  • Consider why the outlined activities are appropriate for the project. Are they sequenced at the right time with the right people to achieve the project goals?

Experience - List the relevant expertise and skills of those involved in the project. 

Question 5: Who is involved and why are they the right people for this project?    

You may want to consider the following: 

  • What experience do you/the individuals or organisations you’ve listed bring to this project? 
  • What skills and expertise do they have that will ensure your project is a success?
  • Is the project providing employment and/or skill development?
  • What experience do the partners or collaborators bring? (if applicable)
  • Do they have creative or technical skills that are relevant / significant to the artform / area of practice
  • How will the project help build the careers and professional skills of those involved?

Budget - Outline the costs involved to deliver your project. We strongly recommend you provide a detailed breakdown of your income and expenses. 

When completing your budget, you may want to consider the following: 

  • Have you included all the costs involved to deliver your project?
  • Is the budget realistic and achievable for what you want to do?
  • Have you included adequate wages and fees to pay the artists, arts and cultural workers and/or community involved in the project?
  • Have you calculated any in-kind contributions?
  • Have you included costs for community consultation or engagement? For example, if First Nations artists, cultural workers, Elders and/or communities are involved there may be expenses relating to First Nations protocols and ICIP.
  • Include any expenses related to accessibility and inclusion, for example marketing materials, Auslan interpretation or access adjustments for participants or audiences with disability or who are d/Deaf.
  • Include all sources of income in your application, not only the funding amount requested.
  • Demonstrate any collaborations and/or partnerships that will be engaged in the delivery of your project.

Individuals and groups can apply for: 

  • Funding from $10,000 up to $75,000. 

Create NSW does not fund 100% of your project’s income. You must contribute at least 10% from other cash or in-kind support towards your project’s income. The definition of in-kind can be seen in the glossary.  

If successful, you may be required to provide a more detailed budget prior to contracting.

Start the application

Create NSW uses the secure online grants system, SmartyGrants, to manage all 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 submitted.

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 are assessed by 10 Create NSW Artform Boards who provide recommendations to the NSW Minister for the Arts. More information on the Create NSW Artform Boards can be found here. 

You must choose which Artform Board you wish to apply to.

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

Assessment Process 

Pre-eligibility   

After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email from SmartyGrants. Create NSW staff will check eligibility.  

Assessment Stage 1 

Artform Board members from your nominated Artform Board will score your application based on the assessment criteria.  

Artform Boards:  

  • may set aside an application if it is below acceptable standard in any of the published criteria.  
  • may ask for an application to be reviewed by Create NSW First Nations staff. This is for applications that are working with First Nations arts and culture.    

Assessment Stage 2   

Artform Board member’s assessment scores will be amalgamated and presented at the Artform Board assessment meetings to determine final recommendations. 

Final recommendations by the Artform Boards will consider the assessment criteria, the funding objectives, the geographical distribution, and the range and scale of applications. This may include prioritising applications with outcomes that address ACFP Strategic Priority Areas, geographical distribution, and artform spread.  

Assessment Stage 3 

Create NSW will consolidate and finalise recommendations based on the Artform Boards’ assessments and recommendations, number of applications by artform, availability of funds, and geographical distribution and ACFP Strategic Priority Areas to ensure equity across the state and the best outcomes for NSW government investment.  

Assessment process considerations  

Applicants should note that:   

  • The NSW Government typically receives far more applications than it can support. 
  • Funding allocation follows a competitive process. 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.   
  • Request further advice and/or clarification from applicants during the assessment process.  The purpose of clarifying information will be to resolve ambiguity – applicants will not be able to strengthen their application through this process.     

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

Successful Grant Applications  

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 reporting requirements. 

All applicants must have an active ABN with a nominated bank account or provide details of a funds administrator. 

  • Individuals must have a sole trader ABN or private company ABN (only if the individual is the sole director) or a funds administrator and a nominated bank account. 
  • Unincorporated groups, associations or other entities that do not have legal status must be contracted by an individual or a funds administrator on behalf of the group, association or organisation. 

The Nominated Bank Account must be a separate account at a financial institution used solely for the Grant, or an existing general account at a financial institution where adequate internal financial controls are in place to identify the Grant. 

All applicants must: 

  • complete an acquittal at the end of the funding period.
  • acknowledge Create NSW funding in all publicity materials. 

You may be asked by Create NSW staff to provide additional information as a special condition to the agreement:  

  • a Connection to Place Statement, reference letter or letters from First Nations peers or community groups, to show details of your Cultural Artform Affirmation and how you are working with First Nations Protocols and ICIP. 
  • a detailed budget.  
  • Other information as specified by the Artform Board. 

Contracts will not be issued, and payments will not be made, until all Create NSW outstanding acquittals have been submitted.  

Notification of application outcomes 

All applicants will be notified by August 2026.

Create NSW does not provide individual feedback on applications. General feedback provided by the Artform Boards will be available once applicants are notified of the outcomes.  

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

Publication of grants information  

The NSW 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, including at minimum: the project name, the project location, the grant recipient name, and the grant recipient location or contact address will be made available on the NSW Government Grants and Funding Finder within 45 calendar days of the funding agreement being executed, unless an exemption applies.  

Please refer to Information for Funding Recipients for more detailed processes for successful applicants.  

This includes:  

  • Program evaluation  
  • Conflict of interest management  
  • Complaint handling, access to information and privacy  

Support and contact

Resources are available to assist you in completing the application and can be found here.

Create NSW staff are available to provide general information on the guidelines but cannot provide feedback on draft applications. Create NSW staff will provide the same information to all applicants where relevant. 

Create NSW is committed to enabling equal access to the Arts and Cultural Funding Program for all people in NSW. This includes removing barriers to our funding programs for people with disability. 

We offer the following access options and inclusive programs. We encourage you to tell us about any other access requirements you have. 

Guidelines 

  • The guidelines for ACFP Project funding are now screen readable and translatable.

 Application forms 

  • You can request SmartyGrants application forms in Microsoft Word format. This form can be used to: 
    • Dictate responses 
    • Translate to other languages 
    • You can copy and paste responses into the SmartyGrants form. 

Video or audio answers

For project funding you can answer questions using video or audio.

  • Question 1: What do you want to do and why?
  • Question 2: Who is the project for, and who will benefit from it?
  • Question 3: Why is this the right place for the project, and how is it connected to the local community or environment?
  • Question 4: How will the proposed activities ensure you achieve the project goals?
  • Question 5: Who is involved and why are they the right people for this project?

Dictate your answers 

On request we can arrange for you to dictate your answers into the SmartyGrants form. Please leave at least one week before closing date to enable this process. 

National Relay Service 

Contact us through the National Relay Service 

  • TTY users phone 133 677 then ask for 02 9228 4578 
  • Speak and Listen users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 02 9228 4578
  • Internet relay users connect to the NRS then ask for 02 9228 4578. 
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