Arts and Cultural Funding Program - supporting information

Once your application has been submitted, you will receive an email confirmation from our secure online grants system, SmartyGrants.

Create NSW has the discretion to accept late applications only where it would not compromise the integrity and competitiveness of the process.

Your application will be checked for eligibility.

If eligible, your application will proceed to the 3 stage assessment process.

If your application is deemed ineligible, you will be advised via email within 14 days of the closing date and your application will not proceed to assessment.

Note: You can withdraw your application at any time by emailing arts.funding@create.nsw.gov.aulaunch with your name and application number.

All applications submitted to Project Funding for Individuals and Groups will be assessed by an Artform Advisory Board, who:

• 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.

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

Consultations

During the assessment meeting, Create NSW may contact applicants on behalf of the Artform Advisory Boards to request further information and/or clarification on areas of their project. 

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.

Under embargo means that applicants are notified but they cannot publicise the outcome until the official announcement has been made by the Minister for the Arts or by Create NSW.

Note: The embargo period is taken seriously and failure to comply may impact your current or future funding eligibility.

If your application is successful, you will be sent a funding agreement/letter of offer (contract) that outlines the conditions of funding, how you will be paid and grant reporting requirements.

Payment will not be made until any Create NSW outstanding acquittals have been submitted.

Refer to Contracts and payments information for the process regarding successful applications.

Acknowledgement of Create NSW support

As a successful applicant of Government funding, you will be expected to acknowledge the funding support from Create NSW in all publications, promotion and advertising materials, public announcements, and activities.

For more information, please read Create NSW Logo Guidelines and contact Melissa Keogh, Designer for a copy of the logo package. 

All applicants will be offered an opportunity to seek application feedback within a one-month period of receiving the notification outcome.

Create NSW staff will provide a general summary of the funding round, application feedback and future funding opportunities, this will be provided via a call or an online meeting via Picktime.

If you or anyone on your creative team are d/Deaf, hard of hearing or who have a speech impairment and need to communicate over the phone, assistance is provided by National Relay Service.

Note: To use the National Relay Service, you will need to register first, so you can make and receive calls.

The National Relay Service numbers are:

• 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.

You may also contact Accessible Arts, the peak arts and disability organisation for NSW:

• Pphone: (02) 9251 6499
• Email: info@aarts.net.aulaunch

If English is your second/third language and you would like to speak to Create NSW staff about the guidelines or application form, we can arrange an Interpreting Service to support this communication.

Please contact us between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday:

• Phone: (02) 9228 4578.
• Email: arts.funding@create.nsw.gov.aulaunch

Create NSW has provided the following documents to help you with your funding application:

• helpful resources for applicants
• NSW Aboriginals Arts and Cultural Protocols
• previous funded recipients.

Create NSW staff are available to provide information to applicants on the interpretation of these Guidelines, including the types of eligible projects for funding and advice on the application process.

Create NSW staff are here to help you and can be contacted between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). 

• Phone: (02) 9228 4578
• Online: you can schedule an online meeting to speak to Create staff through Picktime
• Email: arts.funding@create.nsw.gov.au

Regional NSW applicants can also contact their local Regional Arts Development Organisation for assistance with applications.

Create NSW wants you to pay the people who work on your art or culture project fairly.

The following organisations can provide advice on payment rates for artists, including musicians and arts/cultural workers:

• Australian Society of Authors
• Australian Writers’ Guild
• Live Performance Australia 
• Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance
• Museums and Galleries NSW
• Australian Museums and Galleries Association
• Musicians Australia
• National Association for the Visual Arts

Create NSW acknowledges cultural business through the NSW Aboriginal Arts & Cultural Protocols in support of a strong and vibrant Aboriginal cultural sector. Create NSW supports the priorities of First Nations self-determination, cultural integrity and agency while continuing the management, maintaining and preservation of their arts and cultural practices.

The NSW Aboriginal Arts and Culture Protocols is a best practice guide for all artists, groups and organisations that have Aboriginal cultural content within their projects.

The 5 principles

1. Cultural authority and agency
   • Where does the ownership lie within the project and who controls the direction that the project takes?
2. Recognising rights and maintaining culture
   • Are the rights of people being acknowledged and protected?
3. Prior informed consent and consultation
   • Are Aboriginal people being engaged in the right way and are their wishes being observed?
4. Integrity of Aboriginal Culture
   • Is cultural knowledge and information being respected and managed in the right way?
5. Attribution and sharing benefits
   • Are the right people getting the benefits?

The NSW Aboriginal Arts and Culture Protocols have been developed as a living document, Create NSW will continue to work with the NSW Aboriginal arts and cultural sector to update the protocols to remain current and ensuring continual growth.

The NSW Government is committed to ensuring fair access by all communities and individuals across the state. Create NSW prioritises proposals that provide high-quality activity, respectful engagement, and participation with and for the following groups:

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

For further information on

• complaints process
• privacy policy
• Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009

visit Create NSW Privacy and Feedback.

See Create NSW grants and funding opportunities