Create NSW

09/10/2026

A major boost for arts, culture and entertainment across NSW is here!

Introducing the new Creative NSW Collaboration Fund, supporting innovative partnerships that expand festivals, activate cultural venues and precincts, and deliver exciting experiences for communities across the state.

The fund is designed to support current festival programs and NSW’s Cultural Institutions to expand and incorporate new arts, entertainment or hospitality offerings. We're looking for ambitious collaborations that bring together creative producers, festivals, tourism operators, cultural institutions, councils and businesses to deliver standout arts and cultural programming throughout winter and summer.

With collaboration across the creative industries, a value championed by the NSW Government's Creative Communities policy, the Creative NSW Collaboration Fund aims to open doors to new opportunities and partnerships that support a vibrant creative ecosystem and delivers far-reaching benefits for NSW’s creative workforce, tourism operators, cultural spaces, local businesses, as well as audiences.

Applications are open and close on Tuesday 10 November 2026.

Learn more and apply: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/2026-27-%e2%80%8b%e2%80%8bcreative-nsw-collaboration-fund%e2%80%8b

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Image: HIVE OF INDUSTRY by Legs On The Wall - Power Up Festival - White Bay Power Station - Remy Rochester and Anna McCulla (pictured). Photo: Anna Kucera.

06/10/2026

🎶 Applications are now open for the 2026-27 NSW Community Band Program.

Community concert bands, wind ensembles and brass bands across NSW can apply for quick-response grants of up to $2,500 to support activities such as purchasing music and equipment, attending workshops, commissioning new works, travel, marketing and fundraising.

This year, Create NSW has doubled the program funding to $100,000 and expanded eligibility to include metropolitan Sydney and Western Sydney community bands, alongside continued support for regional NSW ensembles.

Applications are open now on a first-come, first-served basis until 5 February 2027.

Learn more and apply: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/2026-27-nsw-community-bands-program

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Lilac City Brass, Goulburn NSW, photo by James Webb, image supplied.

25/09/2026

Closing soon: Expressions of Interest for the 2026-27 Western Sydney Strategic Partnerships Program close at 2pm on Monday 28 September 2026.

Eligible Western Sydney organisations can apply for support to deliver major collaborative projects that build skills, audiences, organisational capacity, partnerships, investment and creative spaces.

Read the guidelines and submit your EOI: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/2026-27-western-sydney-strategic-partnerships-program

The Western Sydney Strategic Partnerships Program was announced as part of the Plan for Western Sydney Arts, Culture and Creative Industries 2025-28 and the priority to showcase Western Sydney.

21/09/2026

Applications are now open for the Creative Western Sydney Micro-Grants Program 2026-27.

Create NSW is investing $200,000 to support Western Sydney artists, creative workers, collectives and small-to-medium arts organisations to develop and present new work.

Individuals can apply for grants of up to $5,000 and eligible organisations can apply for up to $10,000. Funding can support skills development, equipment purchases, commissioning new work and community based skills projects.

Applications close on 2 November 2026.

Check the final guidelines for eligibility, supported activities and application requirements.

Learn more and apply: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/2026-27-creative-western-sydney-micro-grants-program Western Sydney Arts Alliance

Image:
‘Yalla to Lebanon’ by James Elazzi and Antony Makhlouf.

17/09/2026

Expressions of Interest are now open for Createability Host Organisations!

Calling arts, culture, screen and music industry organisations. We’re seeking up to 16 host organisations across NSW to host paid internships for Deaf and Disabled creative practitioners.

Host organisations will receive support from Accessible Arts to build more inclusive workplaces while helping talented creatives gain meaningful industry experience.

Together, we're creating pathways to accessible employment and building a more diverse and representative creative sector.

Applications close 15 October 2026.

Learn more and apply: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/2026-27-createability-host-organisation

Cassandra Li (intern) and Bronwyn Papantonio (Campbelltown Arts Centre) Createability 2026. Image: DCITHS

10/09/2026

Expressions of Interest are now open for the $1 million 2026-27 Regional NSW Strategic Partnerships Program.

The program supports creative industry organisations across regional NSW to form innovative partnerships that create opportunities and deliver lasting outcomes for local artists and communities.

Projects may focus on skills development, organisational capacity, audience development, partnerships, investment or activating creative spaces. Create NSW will contribute 20% to 50% of eligible project costs, alongside contributions from lead and partner organisations.

EOIs close on 28 September 2026.

Read the guidelines and apply: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/regional-nsw-strategic-partnerships-program

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Dancer: Jordan Bretherton. Sculpture: Marlene Houston. Courtesy Flipside Dance Inc (Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub). Image by Joel De Carteret (Stories in Motion).

07/09/2026

Expressions of Interest are now open for the $2 million 2026-27 Western Sydney Strategic Partnerships Program.

The program supports eligible Western Sydney organisations to deliver major collaborative projects that strengthen the region's arts, culture and creative industries.

Projects may focus on skills development, organisational capacity, audience development, partnerships, investment or activating creative spaces. Create NSW will contribute 20% to 50% of eligible project costs, depending on the organisation type and partnership mix.

EOIs close at 2pm on Monday 28 September 2026.

Read the guidelines and apply: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/2026-27-western-sydney-strategic-partnerships-program

Applicants can also book a 1:1 appointment with the program team through the program page.

The Western Sydney Strategic Partnerships Program was announced as part of the Plan for Western Sydney Arts, Culture and Creative Industries 2025-28 and the priority to showcase Western Sydney.

04/09/2026

Sydney Fringe is underway, bringing independent artists and creative voices to stages and venues across Sydney.

This year’s program spans theatre, comedy, music, dance, cabaret, circus and more. It also features locally made work, First Nations storytelling, and work by d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent artists.

Create NSW is proud to support Sydney Fringe and the independent artists who make the festival possible. Explore the program and discover what is on: https://sydneyfringe.com/whats-on/



Image credits: Daniel Boud
Black Widow - Isabel Knight - Sydney Fringe Festival 2026
Elaine Crombie - Sydney Fringe Festival 2026
Frumpus - Sydney Fringe Festival 2026
Sydney Fringe Festival 2026 Sydney Metro

02/09/2026

Final call for emerging visual artists in NSW.

Applications for the 2027 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging) close at 2 pm on Monday 14 September 2026.

Up to 6 applicants will be shortlisted to present work in an exhibition at Artspace in July 2027.

Shortlisted applicants will receive an artist fee and curatorial support. One shortlisted applicant will receive a $30,000 Fellowship to undertake a self-directed professional development program.

Check the eligibility requirements and submit your application before the deadline: https://ow.ly/lxtz50ZHxHL

The program is administered by Create NSW, with curatorial and exhibition support from Artspace.

Image credit: Charles Levi, Q Pose, (detail), 2025. Installation view, Artspace, Sydney, 2026. Photo: Hamish McIntosh

02/09/2026

More authors and illustrators are coming to regional and rural NSW through LitUp in 2027.

With support from Create NSW, the program is expanding access to live literature, with 86 organisations across 22 NSW communities taking part.

LitUp's partnership model brings schools, libraries, bookshops and community venues together to host multiple local events, giving more people the chance to meet Australian authors and illustrators.

See the participating communities and learn more:

A live literature initiative supporting author events in Australian schools and communities LitUp is a live literature initiative from Australia Reads, providing opportunities for more Australian schools and communities to host events with authors and illustrators. Live literature events provide ric...