Funding to support arts and cultural organisations experiencing long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Based on either the 2023 projected deficit or deterioration of working capital from 2018 to 2022.
- Application opened: 3 May 2023
- Application closed: 29 May 2023, 5:00 pm
Program objective
The purpose of this program is to stabilise organisations that are at financial risk or have had their reserves significantly reduced and may be unable to operate at a capacity to engage with audiences and stakeholders.
Image: The Song Company Circle of Virtue 2020 Dec 2020, Roberta Diamond - Photo Christopher Hayles.
This program is funded and administered by Create NSW.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Applicants must
- have received funding through the 2023 Rescue and Restart – Stage One Program or
- be a current recipient of Create NSW annual funding, excluding Local Government Authorities.
Who can’t apply
Individuals or groups of individuals
Local Government Authorities
Funding streams - what the funds can be used for
There are two funding streams:
- Stream One - Offset of a 2023 projected deficit OR
- Steam Two - Stabilisation of Working Capital/Equity
Stream One - Offset of a 2023 projected deficit
The funding can be used to support programs/projects currently planned for the calendar year of 2023 and offset any current projected loss in 2023.
The funds may be used to
- offset increased costs in delivering the currently planned 2023 program/projects
- offset increased wages costs
- offset reduced earned income
- maintain the employment of artists, technical staff, creative staff
- maintain the employment of administrative staff.
Stream Two - Stabilisation of Working Capital
The funds may be used to improve an organisation’s Working Capital and assist the organisation build and maintain the Create NSW benchmark of a working capital reserve ratio of 20%.
What can’t you apply for
New and additional programs
Most recent recipients
What your application needs to include
To complete the application you will need:
- The last four years of audited financial accounts for your organisation.
- If your organisation is not required to undertake an external audit, you should provide the approved accounts presented at your annual general meeting.
- At minimum, include a detailed Statement of Profit and Loss and Balance Sheet.
- Information on your current and projected financial position at the end of your financial year (30 June 2023 or 31 December 2023).
- Information on how the funding will help your operations in line with the purpose of the program.
- Where any planned activity supported by this funding will take place (Suburb/Town, City/Region).
Prepare your application with this checklist
Prior to your application, you will need to collate the essential support material:
- Financial documentation 2018-2023 - an excel template will be provided.
- Past audited accounts from 2018- 2022.
Address the eligibility criteria
- Is the applicant projecting a deficit for the financial year of 2023?
- Has the applicant’s working capital decreased over the period from 2018-2022?
Address the assessment criteria
Assessment will be based on the level of deterioration in your organisation's current and projected financial position.
The extent of your potential financial loss because of environmental changes stemming from COVID-19 (for example, increased costs of production/ presentation, changes in audience behaviour, loss of earned income) will be considered in this analysis.
It is important to note that the assessment process will require an ‘open book’ approach.
Funding received under 2023 Rescue and Restart Stage One will be taken into consideration during the assessment process.
Start the application
Applications for this grant are available via the Grants portal, Smartygrants.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: The Minister for the Arts
Applications will be assessed by a minimum of two Create NSW staff members to ensure validity of information provided and calculation of need.
Where Create NSW considers it necessary, or where a potential funding exceeds $150,000, external advisors may be utilised by Create NSW to inform decision making and funding recommendations.
Create NSW may request additional information from applicants or from any other source. Create NSW may also seek advice from other NSW Government agencies or other third parties (such as external probity advisors) to assist with the assessment of applications and ensure appropriate oversight and assurance of the entire grants process. All parties involved in the assessment process will effectively manage any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
If an application is missing information or is incomplete, Create NSW may, in its sole discretion, work with the applicant to clarify any missing or incomplete information.
All applications will be assessed under each stream to ensure appropriate level of support is provided to the applicant within the guidelines.
Support and contact
For additional information please contact Create NSW.
Email: sector.support@create.nsw.gov.au
Go to Create NSW