Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: From $2,000 to $10,000
- Application opened: 13 April 2026
- Application closes: 25 May 2026, 2:00 pm
Program objective
In response to Creative Communities, 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 career development for artists and arts and cultural workers
- support opportunities that develop cultural leadership capacities, skills and knowledge
- promote professional networking and collaboration
- helps individuals build the skills, wellbeing and resilience needed to thrive in their work.
Image Credit: 2025 Breaking Ground: Women in Arts & Creativity Symposium: Photo credit: Isabella Moore for Diversity Arts Australia
This program is administered by Create NSW.
Eligibility
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 (minimum12 months).
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 95% of project income
- be realistic and supported by the application and budget.
Types of projects funded under this grant
The project is your professional development activity. It must be a clearly defined arts and cultural activity. It must benefit individual NSW artists or arts and cultural workers. It must provide professional and/or skills development opportunities to advance their careers.
These activities might include:
- research, training, coaching, or mentoring, or
- attending workshops, conferences, nationally or internationally.
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 awards and appropriate industry rates. For example, events or activities receiving funding from Create NSW must pay at least $250 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.
- Renting or hiring of space for workshops, rehearsals, shows, exhibitions or presentations
- Travel and accommodation costs related to your professional development activity
- Administrative costs of managing the grant
- Fees for development opportunities, mentorships, workshops, and courses directly related to your professional development
- Costs of attending creative sector conferences and networking events
- Costs to support First Nations protocols and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP)
- Costs to support accessibility.
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 the costs of the project).
- Will start or finish the project before the funding period starts.
- Want funding for professional development related to filmmaking, screen production, mainstream animation or film festivals (funding programs for these areas are managed by Screen NSW).
- Want funding for professional development related to contemporary music (please refer to the glossary for this definition). For more information on this, you should contact Sound NSW.
- Are employed by Create NSW or were employed in the last 12 months.
- Organisations or partnerships (legally constituted establishments with an ABN).
- Groups or other entities that do not have legal status.
- If you were successful in receiving funding from the previous project round Professional Development - Next Steps, you can’t apply or be successful in this round of Next Steps funding.
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
- Capital works (infrastructure/building works)
- Fundraising and donations
- Awards, prizes, competitions, or prize money
- Paying back loans.
Example projects
Some examples of what may be funded under this grant are but not limited to:
- An emerging or established artist participating in a residency program.
- A First Nations artist to attend a significant cultural event in another state.
- A Western Sydney based artist undertaking a mentorship with an institution.
- A mid-career artist to attend an international conference for networking and knowledge development.
What co-contributions are required
Create NSW does not fund 100% of your project’s income. You must contribute at least 5% from other cash or in-kind support towards your project’s income. The definition of in-kind can be seen in the glossary.
Additional eligibility requirements
- The project must start after 1 September 2026 and be completed by 31 December 2027.
- You can only submit one application in this 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
Prepare your application with this checklist
Before starting an application:
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 (if applicable).
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.
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 of the activity are clear and substantiated.
- The activity is relevant to the artist, arts/cultural worker and their artform or area of practice
- The activity contributes to the career and skill development of the applicant.
- The activity contributes to the artist, arts/cultural worker’s economic development, including building new markets, networks and/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 and Participation (25%)
- The project contributes to personal and/or community wellbeing.
- Has a positive impact on the Strategic Priority Areas (see the glossary for definitions of the Strategic Priority Areas).
- Strengthens inclusion and access to arts and cultural experiences.
Planning and Financial Management (25%)
- The project has been planned appropriately with clear steps and activities.
- The budget is realistic and aligns with the proposed activities.
- If applicable, has evidence that First Nations protocols and ICIP protocols have been adhered to
- If applicable, has considered accessibility costs and requirements
- 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:
- 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.
Note: Your project is your professional development activity/ies.
Question 1: What do you want to do?
You may want to consider the following:
- What is your idea for this project?
- What do you want to achieve?
- How is the project important to your career or skill development?
- Why is now the right time?
2. Diversity and participation (25%)
Demonstrate how your project is relevant to, and/or will benefit you and/or your community.
Question 2: Why do you want to do it?
You may want to consider the following:
- Why is the project relevant to you?
- How will it benefit you and potentially other artists, communities and/or audiences?
- How does the project reflect perspectives of diverse communities in NSW?
- What are the results you want to see at the completion of your project?
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
- Regional NSW
- Western Sydney
- Broad and inclusive communities and content
- Next generation of creatives and audiences.
See the glossary for definitions of the Strategic Priority Areas.
3. Planning, Experience and 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.
List the artistic experience of those involved in the project.
Question 3: Who is involved and why are they the right people for this activity?
You may want to consider the following:
- What experience do you bring to this project?
- What skills and expertise do the artists, arts and cultural workers or organisations involved have that will ensure your project is a success?
- How will those involved help build your career and professional skills?
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 your project goals?
You may want to consider the following:
- How will the project’s activities create meaningful connection with artists, communities and/or audiences?
- Why are these the most appropriate activities for the project?
- What are the expected professional development outcomes for each activity?
Budget - Provide a budget to support your project.
You may want to consider the following:
- Have you included all the costs involved to deliver your project?
- Is the budget realistic and achievable?
- What other sources of funding are there for your project?
- If First Nations artists, cultural workers, Elders and/or communities are involved there may be expenses relating to protocols and ICIP.
- If there are expenses related to providing accessibility and inclusion?
Individuals can apply for:
- Projects from $2,000 up to $10,000
Create NSW does not fund 100% of your project’s income. You must contribute at least 5% 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
Online platform
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.
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 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.
- Email: arts.funding@create.nsw.gov.au
- Phone: (02) 9228 4578
- Visit our website
Create NSW is committed to enabling equal access to the Arts and Cultural Funding Programfor 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 Professional Development – Next Steps funding you can answer questions using video or audio.
- Question 1: What do you want to do?
- Question 2: Why do you want to do it?
- Question 3: Who is involved and why are they the right people for this activity?
- Question 4: How will the activities ensure you achieve your project goals?
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.
