Arts and Cultural Funding Program: Creative Nations (Australia)

Objectives

• This funding will:
  • Enable the creation and presentation of new work and the ability to access resources and expertise for individual artists projects or artistic/professional development
  • Create more employment and professional development opportunities for first nations artists and cultural workers
  • Invest in first nations led organisations and help cultural workers become leaders
  • Enable the sharing of first nations stories and truth telling
  • Support personal and community wellbeing and economic development.

Funding Information

• Grant amount: Up to $10,000 to $100,000.

Eligible Costs

• Costs you need to cover to make sure your project is a success:
  • Renting or hiring of space for workshops, rehearsals, shows, exhibitions or presentations
  • Travel and accommodation costs related to your project
  • Fees for development opportunities, mentorships, workshops and courses related to the research and development of the project
  • Marketing and promotion expenses
  • Costs of materials for the creation of new work
  • Costs to support aboriginal protocols
  • Costs to support accessibility

Ineligible Costs

• 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.

Eligible Projects

• Funding is available for First Nations people or organisations that want to:
  • Support First Nations arts and culture
  • Share the storytelling of First Nations elders
  • Make arts and culture available to everyone including people with disabilities
  • Maintain and grow collections and archives at First Nations cultural centres or keeping places
  • Create and manage cultural festivals and events that celebrate the diversity of First Nations people
  • Promote and market arts and cultural events to reach more people
  • Join in cultural community gatherings and forums.

Eligibility Criteria

• Individuals:
  • First Nations Individuals must be 18 years or above
  • Located in NSW for the last 12 months.
• Groups:
  • Group members must be First Nations and 18 years or above
  • Group members must all have been located in NSW for the last 12 months.
  • The application must be submitted by an individual on behalf of the group.
• Organisations:
  • First Nations organisations: including First Nations led groups, collectives, or institutions
  • Operating in NSW for at least the last 12 months

Ineligibility Criteria

• Individuals, groups or organisations who aren’t First Nations
• Have received funding before from Create NSW or Sound NSW for the same part of their project.
• Have already started their project.
• Will start or finish the project before the funding period starts.
• Are State or federal government department/agency, including state cultural institutions.
• Are Local Government Authorities.
• Are schools and educational institutions (including preschools, primary and secondary schools).
• Key Festivals, State Significant Organisations & a National Performing Arts Partnership Organisation.
• Receiving Create NSW ACFP Multi-year funding or Annual Organisation Funding.
• Want funding related to films, TV shows, or film festivals.
• Want funding related to contemporary music.
• Are employed by Create NSW or were employed in the last 12 months.

Application Requirements

• Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department’s discretion. This includes:
  • Organisations will need to provide a description of their workplace safety and wellbeing activities and policy.
  • The project must start after 7 April 2025 and be completed by 30 June 2026.

For more information, visit NWS.