Sixty-two arts organisations have received greater funding certainty, with the NSW Government investing $15.4 million in the inaugural Arts and Cultural Funding Program (ACFP) two-year funding round.

Regional organisations make up half the successful organisations with 31 regional arts and cultural organisations securing a two-year investment of $7.5 million over two years.

This includes 10 regional art galleries funded with a combined investment $1.8 million.

Thirteen organisations that previously had to apply for annual funding have now shifted to two-year funding rounds, gaining greater certainty for core operational funding for the next two years.

This funding supports organisations across every artform, enabling them to employ and develop artists and arts workers, foster long-term strategic partnerships and make lasting and impactful arts and cultural experiences accessible for all.

More than 6000 artists and cultural workers will be engaged through this two-year funding program. Importantly, an additional 22 organisations are receiving funding for the first time; sharing over $4.4 million over two years.

The $15.4 million two-year investment also includes:

  • Around $600,000 per annum for four First Nations arts and cultural organisations, to deliver powerful and meaningful outcomes for NSW Aboriginal artists and communities
  • $985,000 per annum invested in eight Western Sydney organisations
  • $2,985,000 per annum directed to 23 organisations in metropolitan Sydney

An additional investment of $3.29 million through the ACFP for project funding includes:

  • An additional 104 creative projects supported made up of 83 individual artists and 21 organisations
  • Supporting a total of 1296 local artists and arts workers across artforms to bring their exceptional creative visions to life.
  • Regional NSW, and 268 artists across 31 projects will receive funding investment.
  • Funding for Western Sydney which will engage and empower more than 236 artists to connect audiences from diverse communities.

All two-year Multi-year and Project Funding applications were assessed and recommended against published criteria and ranked in order by 10 Artform Boards.

For more information about the funding outcomes of both programs, visit create.nsw.gov.au

Minister for the Arts John Graham said: “Regional arts, including regional art galleries, are the big winners from this cultural funding boost. Half of the 62 organisations receiving two-year funding certainty are from our regions.

“We have heard the message from the sector that they want less paperwork, and less acquittals. That is why the move from annual to multi-year funding for so many of these organisations is so welcome.”

Create NSW CEO Kerri Glasscock said: “The impact of this investment in organisations, programs and creative projects will be significant; through powerful First Nations truth telling; new creative productions and works that tell untold, yet important stories; mentoring and inspiring young people and all the many intangible way arts moves us like nothing else can.

“I am pleased to see the reformed Arts and Cultural Funding Program has delivered simpler, fairer, more accessible funding, and given certainty to 22 new funded organisations. This means funding is being more equitably shared across a wide number of creative communities and artforms.

“The reforms and investment by the NSW Government is designed to create a lasting positive impact to everyone who engages with arts and culture in NSW, increasing vibrancy and inspiring communities for years to come.”

Key facts on ACFP 2-year funding round:

  • The new two-year funding program was the result of sector feedback and the reform commitment in the Creative Communities Policy.
  • The new two-year funding program replaced the previous Annual Funding program and reduces the organisations’ administrative burden demanded by annual grant applications and delivers the assurance of fit-for-purpose funding over a longer timeframe.
  • Around 2000 regionally-based artists and arts workers will be supported through the two-year ACFP funding round.
  • It is anticipated 345 Western Sydney artists and arts workers will be supported through funded Western Sydney organisations.
  • A total of 3677 artists and arts workers will be employed through 23 supported organisations in metropolitan Sydney.

Key facts on the 2024/25 Arts and Cultural Funding Program Project Funding (Round 2):

  • $3.29 million in funding across the four project categories – Creative Nations, Next Steps (Professional Development), Creative Steps New Work and Cultural Access will support:
  • 8 First Nations art and cultural projects are supported, with an investment of around $670,000 across all four programs, employing 153 First Nations artists and arts workers
  • $1.2 million invested into 24 new creative works
  • 42 professional development opportunities for individual artists
  • 30 projects that connect with priority areas and target populations These projects will translate into new and vibrant cultural experiences for audiences across NSW and beyond, with an estimated audience of more than 2.9 million people who will have the opportunity to enjoy and connect with diverse stories; everything from Aboriginal arts and culture, classical music, dance, festivals, history and museums, literature, multi-arts, theatre, physical theatre and visual arts.