The Country Arts Support Program (CASP) is an annual small grants program funded by Create NSW and managed by Regional Arts Development Organisations (RADOs).
Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: From $500 to $5,000
- Application opened: 9 September 2024
- Application closes: 31 October 2024, 5:00 pm
Program objective
Support community arts and cultural development in regional NSW through small grants that:
- Assist locally determined community arts and cultural activities.
- Increase opportunities for regionally based groups to access a diverse range of arts programs.
- Enable communities to explore and express their cultural identities.
- Bring social and economic benefits to the community through training, employment and promotional opportunities.
- Lead to greater awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity.
- Increase the sustainability and resilience of regionally based community arts organisations.
This program is administered by Create NSW.
Eligibility
1
Who can apply
The following applicants are eligible for the Murray Arts CASP round:
- A not-for-profit incorporated body
- A local government authority
- An individual or sole trader with an ABN
- A collective with a nominated administering/auspicing body (see further details regarding auspicing body below)
- Applicants who live within the geographical footprint of Murray Arts (Albury City, Federation, and Greater Hume LGA’s)
- Applicants are required to have a current certificate of currency for Broadform Liability or ‘Public Liability’ Insurance. In the case of individual or group applicants, each individual/sole trader involved/paid as part of the funding, will need to hold and show proof of their own ‘Public Liability’ Insurance.
Location that are eligible include Albury City, Federation, Greater Hume Shire
2
Types of projects funded under this grant
Eligible projects include but are not limited to:
- Workshops
- Arts activities as part of community festivals or events
- Artist-in-residence programs
- Public art and design projects
- Performances
- Arts and cultural directories
- Community seminars and forums
- Exhibitions
- Other local arts initiatives
3
When the project can start and end
The project should be started by 1 January 2025 and the project must be completed by 30 November 2025.
4
Who can’t apply
The following applicants are ineligible for the Murray Arts CASP round:
- Individuals and Groups based in Sydney and the Blue Mountains, or for projects based in those areas
- Interstate organisations (As a Border region, consideration will be made but all outcomes will need to be NSW based/focused)
- Professional touring groups
- Commercial enterprises
- Groups/ensembles and unincorporated associations with no administering body
- Regional Conservatoriums
- Organisations that have applied for or received Create NSW funding for the same activity
- Previous recipients where the use of the grant did not, in the opinion of the CASP state assessment panel, conform to the spirit and intentions of these guidelines
- State and federal government departments, including schools (except P&Cs who are incorporated)
- Organisations that have overdue reports or acquittals for any funding programs administered by RANSW and/or Create NSW
- Applicants who live in another Regional Arts Development Organisation’s geographical footprint (i.e. outside of Albury City, Federation, and Greater Hume LGA’s)
- Applicants who have not discussed their project with a Murray Arts Staff member
5
Types of projects not funded under this grant
Ineligible projects include:
- Core administrative costs, office costs or the purchase of equipment
- Capital expenses
- Production costs of films, videos, books or other publications
- Competitions
- Fundraising events
- Prizes and adjudication fees
- Applicants who have already received Create NSW funding for the same activities
- General operating expenses or ongoing costs of long-term continuous projects
- Projects that have commenced or are completed
- Non arts-related activities
- Activities which could be considered part of the curriculum for schools or tertiary institutions
What your application needs to include
1
Prepare your application with this checklist
- Read these guidelines to check you and your activity are eligible and a fit for the funding.
- Email Murray Arts to organise a time to discuss your application.
- Complete the application form including adding any letters of support, support materials or references.
- Submit your application by 5:00pm Thursday 31st October 2024.
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
Essential criteria:
After applications are checked for all eligibility requirements, they will be assessed for:
- Meeting at least one of the objectives outlined in 2025 CASP guidelines:
- Assist locally determined community arts and cultural activities.
- Increase opportunities for regionally based groups to access a diverse range of arts programs.
- Enable communities to explore and express their cultural identities.
- Bring social and economic benefits to the community through training, employment and promotional opportunities.
- Lead to greater awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity.
- Increase the sustainability and resilience of regionally based community arts organisations.
- Artistic and cultural merit.
- Potential to have a positive impact (cultural, social or economic) either on a regional community or on regional artists.
- Quality of planning and demonstration that the applicant has the capacity to deliver the project.
- Budgets offer financial value.
- Good community/ cultural consultation (if applicable).
Optional but desirable criteria:
- Activities develop partnerships or collaboration between groups/ artists/ organisations.
- Budgets show additional other income – either through cash or in-kind.
- Letters of support demonstrate need/ desire for the activity and the relevant support it will receive.
Start the application
- Contact Murray Arts to discuss your application before it is submitted.
- Complete an application form through SmartyGrants.
- Submit your application via SmartyGrants by the closing date. Applications will not be accepted after that time.
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: Murray Arts Assessment Panel
Applications close: 5:00pm Thursday 31st October 2024
- Once your application is received and has been deemed eligible, it will be assessed, rated and prioritised by the CASP Murray Arts Assessment Panel.
- Recommended applications will receive final approval and sign off by the Murray Arts Board and Create NSW.
- All applicants will be contacted by the end of November 2024
Anticipated assessment outcome date is 30/11/2024
Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is 31/12/2024