Arts and Cultural Funding Program

Project Funding for Individuals/Groups 2023/24

Individuals and Groups Project Funding 2023/24

This fund supports innovative, accessible NSW arts and culture, and the employment and development of professional artists and cultural workers.

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Key information

  • Status: Closed
  • Grant amount: Up to $60,0000
  • Application opened: 15 January 2024
  • Application closed: 19 February 2024, 5:00 pm

Program objective

Project funding objectives:

  • deliver a dynamic and diverse range of arts and cultural experiences to communities across NSW
  • contribute to the development of a vibrant and accessible arts and cultural sector
  • support the employment and development of professional NSW-based artists and arts/cultural workers (including museum workers).

Image Credit: Kinyingarra Guwinyanba by Megan Cope, High Tide. Photo by Cian Saunders

This program is funded and administered by Create NSW.

Eligibility

1

Who can apply

Individuals who are:

  • 18 years or above
  • residing in NSW over the last 12 months
  • an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

A group who are all:

  • over 18 years or above
  • residing in NSW over the last 12 months
  • Australian citizens or permanent residents.
2

Types of projects funded under this grant

Your project must be a clearly defined arts and cultural activity that either:

  • benefits NSW by employing professional NSW artists or arts and cultural workers
  • provides arts and cultural experiences to the people of NSW. 
3

When the project can start and end

Projects are to be undertaken between 1 July 2024 and 31 December 2025. 

The project should be started by 1 July 2024 and the project must be completed by 31 December 2025.

4

Who can’t apply

  • organisations (legally constituted establishments with an ABN)
  • individuals and groups who have received previous funding from Create NSW for the same stage/phase of the project or for project top-ups
  • individuals and groups whose project has already started, taken place or due to be completed before the funding period starts
  • do not meet the ABN requirements (see additional eligibility criteria below)
  • current employees of Create NSW
  • recent employees of Create NSW, who have left within the last 12 months
  • individuals and groups seeking support for filmmaking, screen productions or film festivals. Refer to Screen NSW regarding film sector funding opportunities.
5

What costs you can't apply for

You cannot apply to use funds for:

  • activities that are carried out to satisfy the course requirements of an educational institution, such as a TAFE or university
  • activities that directly support the delivery of an educational program or course
  • arts and cultural activities that are led by non-professional artists or organisations
  • reimbursement to recover costs of items already purchased (such as flights, accommodation, and materials)
  • purchasing musical instruments, artworks, equipment (such as laptops, cameras, technical equipment, or machinery), or vehicles
  • capital works (infrastructure/building activities). Refer to Create Infrastructure regarding capital works funding opportunities
  • fundraising and donations, awards, competition entry fees or prize money
  • repayment of loans regarding funding opportunities 
  • filmmaking projects, screen productions or film festivals. This does not include videos with direct involvement of artists, musicians, and performers such as music videos, video art and video for performance. Refer to Screen NSW regarding film sector funding opportunities.
6

Example projects

Funding is available for a wide range of arts and cultural activities including:

  • creative development
  • public presentation
  • commissioning professional artists
  • community collaborations/partnerships
  • research and/or development
  • audience engagement
  • making work accessible to audience/artists with disability.
7

Additional eligibility requirements

  • You can only submit 1 application for Individual/Groups Project Funding
  • Aboriginal individuals or group applicants can only submit 1 application for either project funding or Creative Koori Individuals/Groups Projects per round.
  • You MUST not request funding for the total cost of your project. 

Individual and Groups ABN requirements:

 As an individual based in NSW you must apply with 1 of the following:

  • an individual/sole trader ABN
  • if you're the sole director of a private company, the ABN for that company
  • a nominated funds administrator
  • none of the above, but if successful, will obtain an individual/sole trader ABN or engage a funds administrator.

 As a group based in NSW apply with 1 of the following:

  • a group member's individual/sole trader ABN
  • a partnership ABN
  • an unincorporated entity ABN
  • a nominated funds administrator
  • none of the above, but, if successful, will obtain an eligible ABN or engage a funds administrator.

Note:

  • The group member with the ABN must also be the contact for that group
  • Incorporated associations, companies (except sole directors of private companies) and trusts are not eligible to apply as individuals or groups. These restrictions do not apply to funds administrators.

Funds administration:An administrative body/third party (such as a manager, agent or producing organisation) can receive and administer funds on your behalf. You may be asked for a fee for this service, and it is recommended that you include that fee in your activity budget.

Most recent recipients

What your application needs to include

1

Prepare your application with this checklist

  • Read the guidelines
  • Check your eligibility
  • If working with Aboriginal communities:
    • you are required to provide letters of support and/or confirmation from relevant Aboriginal artists, Elders, Organisations or community members 
  • Samples of work 
  • Biography/CV for:
    • Yourself
    • The group members involved (if you are applying as a group)
    • Artists or key collaborators involved in the project 
  • Letter of confirmation from artist/s, organisations and/or communities that can confirm they are working with you on the project
  • Letters of support from artist/s, organisations and/or communities who can speak to your project vision and your/the group’s experience in project delivery
  • Letters of offer/ invitations/partnership arrangements related to your project
  • Venue or partnership confirmations
  • Project plan (available within the application form)
  • Budget (available within the application form)
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

Merit Criteria

The project’s artistic rationale, goals, expected outcomes, and your/ the group’s artform experience.

Tell us in detail about:

  • the idea, vision, expected outcomes and locations for your/the group’s proposed project
  • the process of delivering the project, the artists and their involvement in the project, and their artistic experience.

Impact Criteria

The changes (outcomes) you expect to see as a result of your project.

Tell us in detail about:

  • Audience impact: such as increased access, attendance, or participation, including if your activity meaningfully engages with Create NSW’s priority areas (see below)
  • Artform impact: such as innovation, advancement, employment, NSW works developed/presented/represented
  • Social impacts: such as improved wellbeing, community and cultural development, increased visibility of issues, stories, or communities.

Note: you will need to identify a primary impact.

The NSW Government is committed to ensuring fair access by all communities and individuals across the state. If the activity engages with the needs of a community or has outcomes that benefit specific Create NSW priority areas, please include these details. The Priority Areas are:

  • NSW Aboriginal people
  • People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds
  • People living and/or working in Regional NSW
  • People living and/or working in Western Sydney
  • People with disability or who are d/Deaf
  • Young People under the age of 25

Engagement with a priority area/s is not compulsory. 

Viability Criteria

The planning and finances, timeline and how the budget will be managed.

Tell us in detail about:

  • The key steps or activities to plan and deliver your project, this can include dates, activities names, descriptions, collaborators involved and locations of your project.
  • How you will spend the amount you are requesting from Create NSW, including a breakdown of your total project costs.

Note:

  • A project plan template is provided by Create NSW (via SmartyGrants) to assist you in outlining your key activities. You are required to upload this template.
  • A budget template is provided by Create NSW to show the strength of your financial planning and ability to deliver the project. You have the option of uploading this budget template.
  • The budget income and expenditure must balance at NIL ($00.00).
  • You must not request funding for the total cost of your project.
  • You must contribute other cash or in-kind support towards your project.
  • It is recommended events 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. 

After the application is submitted

Successful applications will be decided by: Minister for the Arts

Assessment Stage 1

The Artform Advisory Boards will assess all applications against three assessment criteria: Merit, Impact and Viability. The Artform Advisory Boards:

  • will assess and rank all applications against the merit, impact and viability assessment criteria
  • may split applications across the artform advisory board when high numbers of applications are received
  • may set aside an application if it is assessed as "materially deficient" in any one of the three assessment criteria
  • may consider whether an application needs to be reallocated to another board for assessment
  • may ask for a Cultural Review from Create NSW Aboriginal staff or the Aboriginal Arts and Culture Artform Advisory Board based on applications with Aboriginal content and engagement.

Assessment Stage 2

Artform Advisory Board assessment scores will be amalgamated and presented at the assessment meeting to determine final recommendations.

The Artform Advisory Boards will consider the assessment criteria, the demographics, distribution, range, and scale of the initial recommendations.

This may include prioritising NSW applicants, as well as programs, individuals and activities with outcomes that address Arts and Cultural Funding Program (ACFP) Priority Areas, to ensure equity across the State and the best outcomes for NSW Government investment.

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
  • 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

Assessment Stage 3

Create NSW will consolidate a report on the outcomes based on quality of the applications as assessed by the Artform Advisory Boards, demand by artform, budget allocation, distribution across the State, and ACFP Priority Areas.

Note:

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

Consultation 

There may also be cross-board consultation on applications. Create NSW may also request further advice and/or clarification from applicants during the assessment process. 

Recommendation 

Final recommendations are submitted for the consideration of the Minister for the Arts.

Anticipated assessment outcome date is 042024

Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is Funding Agreements will be sent within one month of successful notification.

Support and contact

Create NSW Arts Funding

  • Email: arts.funding@create.nsw.gov.au
  • Phone: (02) 9228 4578
  • Scheduling an online meeting to speak to Create NSW staff using the link to Microsoft Bookings
  • Visit our website
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