Arts & Cultural Funding Program 2026: Cultural Access - Priority Area Projects

In response to Creative Communities, the NSW arts, culture and creative industries policy, the purpose of this funding is to strengthen communities through equitable access to vibrant arts and cultural experiences. The program targets the Strategic Priority Areas:

• First Nations stories and communities

• Broad and inclusive communities and content

• Accessibility and Equity

• Western Sydney and/or regional NSW; and

• Next generation of creatives and audiences

This funding could:

• enable the development, creation and presentation of work designed, led by and/or for artists, arts and cultural workers, groups and organisations in NSW who are included in the Strategic Priority Areas.

• strengthen communities through equitable access to arts and cultural experiences.

• provide capacity building opportunities and strengthen the diversity of cultural leadership within the NSW arts and culture ecosystem.

• increase the visibility of work developed and created for and by prioritised NSW artists, arts and cultural workers, and audiences.

• strengthen the creative ecosystem through collaborations and partnerships.

• support access to resources and expertise for artists and arts and cultural workers to grow their careers.

• contribute to personal and community wellbeing, and economic development.

The project must demonstrate the development, creation and/or presentation of an arts and cultural project by individuals, groups or organisations who identify with one of the ACFP Strategic Priority Areas or have a project that will deliver outcomes for one of the Strategic Priority Areas.

Some examples of what may be funded under this grant are but not limited to:

• An Indonesian dance collective developing a series of workshops with a community performance outcome.

• A Western Sydney writing collective employing a CaLD mentor to develop work for publication in an anthology.

• A d/Deaf arts or cultural worker employing a cohort of d/Deaf facilitators to work with their local community and arts and cultural organisations to explore and address barriers to participation.

Find out more including how to apply on the website.