CURRENT 2024 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
*dates listed are the closing dates for applications
⭐ indicates recently added or updated
FEBRUARY 2025:
20 FEB - 2025 NAIDOC Local Grants Opportunity
The 2025 NAIDOC Local Grants Opportunity provides funding support for First Nations communities and organisations to help cover costs for local and regional NAIDOC Week activities and events. These events should celebrate First Nations history, culture, and achievements, aligning with the annual NAIDOC Week theme.
Objectives:
✅ Support the expression, engagement, and revitalisation of First Nations cultures.
✅ Increase First Nations participation in Australia’s social and economic life.
✅ Promote broader understanding and acceptance of First Nations cultures.
Intended Outcomes:
🔹 Strengthen First Nations cultural expression and recognition of Australia’s shared history.
🔹 Support healing, leadership, and community capability.
🔹 Highlight the unique place of First Nations people in Australian society.
📅 Applications close at 3:00 PM (AEDT) on Thursday, 20 February 2025.
📌 Administered by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA).
For details on privacy and grant management, visit: NIAA Grants and Funding.
MARCH 2025:
4 Mar- Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups
Key dates
Applications close:
Tuesday 4 March 2025 at 3pm AEDT, for projects beginning after 1 June 2025.
Up to $50,000 for a range of activities and projects, both national and international, across all art forms.
About the program
This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences and communities.
Grants are available from $10,000 to $50,000. Supported activities must not last longer than two years from the proposed start date.
4 Mar - Arts Projects for Organisations
Applications close:
Tuesday 4 March 2025 at 3pm AEDT, for projects beginning after 1 June 2025.
This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences and communities.
About the program
This program funds a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences and communities. Organisations that undertake arts programs, projects, or that provide services to artists, are welcome to apply.
Organisations can propose a single project, a suite of projects or an annual program of activity.
Grants are available from $20,000 to $100,000. Supported activities must last no longer than two years from the proposed start date.
10 MAR - Contemporary Music Development Grants – First Nations Creative and Professional Development
The Contemporary Music Development Grants – First Nations Creative and Professional Development, administered by Create NSW, provide up to $30,000 to support First Nations NSW artists and acts in creating, recording, and promoting new and original contemporary music. Funding also covers professional development and essential equipment purchases.
📅 Applications open: 3 February 2025
⏳ Deadline: 10 March 2025, 2:00 PM
🎶 Eligible projects include:
✔️ Music creation & collaboration
✔️ Recording, mixing, and mastering
✔️ Pressing, manufacturing, and releasing
✔️ Marketing & promotion
✔️ Career development (workshops, mentorships, residencies)
✔️ Equipment purchases (up to $5,000)
Applicants must be First Nations NSW artists or acts with at least one publicly available release. Only one application per round is allowed, and successful applicants cannot apply for the next round.
🛠️ Project timeline: Must start by 12 May 2025 and be completed by 30 June 2026.
For more details, visit Create NSW’s website. 🎵
10 MAR - Contemporary Music Development Grants – Recording, Content and Promotion
The Contemporary Music Development Grants – Recording, Content and Promotion, administered by Create NSW, provide up to $30,000 to support NSW artists and acts in creating, recording, and promoting new and original contemporary music.
📅 Applications open: 3 February 2025
⏳ Deadline: 10 March 2025, 2:00 PM
🎶 Eligible projects include:
✔️ Music development & collaboration
✔️ Recording, mixing, and mastering
✔️ Pressing, manufacturing, and releasing
✔️ Marketing & promotional activities
Applicants must be 18+, NSW residents (for at least 12 months), and have publicly available releases. Only one application per round is allowed, and successful applicants cannot apply for the next round.
🛠️ Project timeline: Must start by 12 May 2025 and be completed by 30 June 2026.
For more details, visit Create NSW’s website. 🎵
10 MAR - Contemporary Music Development Grants – First Nations Industry Development
The Contemporary Music Development Grants – First Nations Industry Development, administered by Create NSW, offer up to $150,000 to support First Nations-led music programs that build capacity, promote best practices, and strengthen the NSW music industry.
📅 Applications open: 3 February 2025
⏳ Deadline: 10 March 2025, 2:00 PM
🎶 Eligible projects include:
✔️ Skills & training for artists, industry professionals & music businesses
✔️ Programs on best practices, AI, marketing & cultural literacy
✔️ Initiatives for safety, accessibility & well-being
✔️ Industry-led marketing campaigns, research & advocacy
✔️ Innovation, collaboration & partnerships
🛠️ Who can apply?
First Nations NSW-led music businesses or organisations with a strong community connection
Must have a majority First Nations governing body and be NSW-based or contributing to NSW’s music sector
💰 Funding supports costs like:
Salaries, fees, travel & accommodation
Venue hire, production & catering
Marketing & administration
Equipment purchases (up to $20,000)
📆 Project timeline: Must start by 12 May 2025 and be completed by 30 June 2026.
For more details, visit Create NSW’s website. 🎵\
10 MAR - Contemporary Music Development Grants – Industry Development
This Create NSW grant offers up to $150,000 to support industry-led programs that develop skills, improve industry standards, and promote contemporary music in NSW.
📅 Key Dates:
Applications Open: 3 Feb 2025
Deadline: 10 Mar 2025, 2:00 PM
Projects Start By: 12 May 2025
Completion By: 30 June 2026
✅ Who Can Apply?
NSW-based music businesses or organisations
Must have an ABN or ACN
Not eligible: Opera, musical theatre, community music groups, or those already receiving Annual Funding for Organisations 24/25
🎵 Eligible Projects:
Artist & industry training and capacity-building
Upskilling in AI, marketing, cultural safety, and workplace well-being
Marketing campaigns promoting NSW music
Industry research & advocacy
Collaboration & partnerships
💰 What Funding Covers:
Salaries, venue hire, production, marketing, and admin costs
For more details, visit Create NSW and apply before the deadline! 🎸
17 MAR - Venue Upgrade Grants – Program 1 (24/25)
The Venue Upgrade Grants – Program 1 (24/25), administered by Sound NSW & Create NSW, offer up to $20,000 to support NSW live music venues in becoming fit-for-purpose through expert advice and planning services.
📅 Applications open: 13 January 2025
⏳ Deadline: 17 March 2025, 3:00 PM
🎶 Funding aims to:
✔️ Increase the number of high-quality live music venues
✔️ Improve sound management and reduce noise complaints
✔️ Enhance business viability and audience experience
✔️ Diversify live music offerings in NSW
🏢 Who can apply?
NSW contemporary live music venue owners & operators committed to increasing live music programming
Must have a lease with at least 2 years remaining (if premises is not owned)
Must hold a OneMusic licence
💰 Eligible projects include:
Assessment reports for soundproofing, accessibility & infrastructure
Planning & development applications
Legal & licensing consultant fees
Energy efficiency audits
📆 Project timeline: Must start by 17 April 2025 and be completed by 30 June 2026.
For more details, visit Create NSW’s website. 🎵
17 Mar - Creative Industries - Connectivity
Funding for new collaborative opportunities between the arts and cultural sector and the creative industries.
Key information
Status: Open
Grant amount: From $30,000 to $50,000
Application opened: 20 November 2024
Application closes: 17 March 2025, 5:00 pm
Program objective
In response to Creative Communities, the NSW arts, culture and creative industries policy, the purpose of this funding is to:
Incentivise new collaborative opportunities between the traditional arts and cultural sector and creative industries.
Encourage innovative partnerships that have potential for ongoing sustainable outcomes.
Demonstrate possible future direction of arts and culture and creative industry partnerships.
Offer the potential to export more Australian stories to the world.
27 MAR - Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Small & Vital
The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Small & Vital stream provides grants of up to $10,000 to support grassroots, community-led initiatives that strengthen people, places, and climate solutions in small remote, rural, and regional communities (particularly those with populations under 15,000). Priority is given to projects focused on generational transition, resourcing remote communities, energy transition, and First Nations-led initiatives. Applications are accepted year-round and assessed quarterly.
🚨 Round 24 is now open!
📅 Applications close 27 March 2025
📢 Funding announced by early June 2025
🔜 Round 25 opens 28 March 2025
For more details, visit FRRR’s website.
APRIL 2025:
14 APR - Venue Upgrade Grants – Program 2 (24/25)
The Venue Upgrade Grants – Program 2 (24/25), administered by Sound NSW & Create NSW, offer up to $250,000 to dedicated live music venues for equipment purchases and infrastructure upgrades that enhance audience and visitor experience.
📅 Applications open: 13 January 2025
⏳ Deadline: 14 April 2025, 3:00 PM
🎶 Funding aims to:
✔️ Improve live music venues for world-class audience experiences
✔️ Increase fit-for-purpose music venues in NSW
✔️ Enhance sound management & reduce noise complaints
✔️ Strengthen business viability and diversity in live music
🏢 Who can apply?
NSW-based dedicated live music venues where live music is the primary business function
Must host at least 3 nights of live music per week, with a focus on new & original music
Must have a lease with at least 2 years remaining (if premises is not owned)
Must hold a OneMusic licence
💰 Eligible projects include:
Equipment purchases: Sound, lighting, staging & AV technology
Infrastructure upgrades: Soundproofing, ventilation, accessibility, energy efficiency
📆 Project timeline: Must start by 14 March 2025 and be completed by 30 June 2026.
For full details, visit Create NSW’s website. 🎵
30 Apr - Multi-year 2-year Funding
2-Year Multi-year funding provides core investment to the NSW arts and cultural sector to support sustainable growth of the industry, with a focus on all NSW citizens being given the opportunity to contribute to and experience arts and culture.
Application opens: 24 March 2025
Application closes: 30 April 2025, 11:00 pm
Grant amount: Applicants can apply for a minimum of $60,000 and a maximum of $200,000 per year, subject to type of organisation eligibility that is applying.
30 April 2025 - Contemporary Music Festival Viability Fund
This program supports existing large-scale contemporary music festivals presented in NSW with a track record of delivering significant outcomes for contemporary music.
Program objective
This program is designed to grow and support the live music ecosystem in NSW through investment in the operations of established music festivals, alleviating short-term financial challenges and improve business and job retention during the cost-of-living crisis.
Funding will be available for government-related and operational costs for contemporary music festivals with event capacity of at least 15,000 people and are currently experiencing financial challenges.
Applications will be accepted on an as needs basis while the funding program is open. The program will close when the budget is exhausted, or 30 April 2025, whichever comes first.
Key information
Status: Open
Grant amount: Up to $500,000
Application opened: 18 September 2024
Application closes: 30 April 2025, 5:00 pm
ONGOING GRANT FUNDING
‘Lights On, Doors Open’ – Stipend Program Supporting Volunteer-led Museums in NSW
The ‘Lights On, Doors Open’ stipend program has been established to relieve the pressures faced by volunteer-led museums and Aboriginal cultural spaces in NSW.
Various short-term, operational projects, such as (but not limited to) the following areas:
Bills for amenities
Small maintenance jobs
IT support
Small marketing projects
Fees for service
For more information head to the Museums & Galleries of NSW website.
Funding will be allocated based on the order of eligible applications received until funds are exhausted.
Regional Event Fund: Event Development Stream
This grant supports the strategic growth of proven events that demonstrate a clear rationale for the continued development of its tourism potential. The Event Development stream supports events that have previously received the maximum funding permitted through the Flagship Event stream and can present a strategy for future growth that includes the continued development of its tourism potential to drive overnight visitation to the event.
Grant amount: Up to $50,000
Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program (rPPP) - Stream One: Precinct development and planning
The RPPP Precinct development and planning offers grants up to $5 million to develop a precinct idea through to investment-ready stage in partnership with local stakeholders to benefit regional communities.
Destination NSW - Regional Event Fund
The Regional Event Fund identifies and supports events in regional NSW that have the potential to act as a ‘cornerstone’ or flagship tourism event for their area by attracting overnight visitation and delivering long term benefits to the region. Applications for the 2023/24 Regional Event Fund will open on Thursday, 2 March 2023 for events held between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024. Grants are available through the three streams listed on the website.
State Heritage Register Emergency Works Funding NSW - State Heritage Register Emergency Works Funding NSW
State Heritage Register Emergency Works Funding provides owners and managers of heritage items with funding to help protect and repair damage caused by unexpected events, including extreme storms or accidents.
First Nations Tourism Mentoring Program (FNTMP) - Free mentoring support for First Nations tourism businesses
This program provides free mentoring support to eligible First Nations tourism businesses.
Screen NSW - Regional Filming Fund
The Regional Filming Fund offsets costs associated with shooting in regional areas of NSW.
The objectives of the program are to:
Increase economic activity in regional NSW, by encouraging NSW screen productions to film outside of metropolitan areas
Enable regional NSW to benefit from the growth of film and television production in the State.
Funding amount: Up to $175,000
Applications open: 31 October 2023
Screen NSW - Location Scouts and Inbounds Program
The program offers long-form footloose productions scouting assistance for location surveys for eligible projects and may include covering some of the costs associated with location surveys including accommodation, domestic flights, vehicle hire and location manager services. Eligible projects are feature films, telemovies, mini-series, TV series or reality programs.
Funding amount: Up to $3,000
Applications: Open
Screen NSW - Made in NSW
Screen NSW’s Made in NSW Program is a five-year funding program to support the advancement of NSW as a production destination for feature films and major television drama programs.
Screen NSW - Digital Games Rebate
The NSW Government is offering a 10 percent rebate on eligible digital games.
Screen NSW - Development Program
Screen NSW Development funding supports writers and producers to develop fiction or unscripted (documentary) and online projects with distinctive ideas and ambitious stories.
Funding amount: Up to $50,000 depending on the project type and level of market interest
Applications open from Monday 30 October 2023
Screen NSW - Strategic Opportunities
The Strategic Opportunities Program supports initiatives and events that strengthen NSW’s screen industry. The Strategic Opportunities Program is a big-picture funding initiative administered by Screen NSW to strengthen the NSW screen industry. This ongoing program supports initiatives and events that demonstrate long-term benefits to the NSW screen industry. Projects and events with high artistic quality, particularly those involving people from underrepresented groups and priority areas, are highly valued in the competitive assessment process.
Funding amount: From $2,000
Applications: Open
Screen Australia – First Nations Program: Sector Development (Travel Grants)
The Travel Grants program is designed to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander filmmakers in travelling to key international and Australian events. Professional development is a key objective.
Screen Australia – First Nations Program: Documentary Production
This program seeks to support strong and distinctive documentary projects primarily to assist in the professional development of the key creative team.
Lights On, Doors Open’ – Stipend Program Supporting Volunteer-led Museums in NSW
The program has been established to relieve the pressures faced by volunteer-led museums and Aboriginal cultural spaces in NSW and aims to support eligible organisations, reduce the burden of constant fundraising, and allow them to focus on collections, maintenance, and best practices. Grants of $2,000 are available for eligible applicants. Up to 113 organisations will benefit from this initiative. Note: Funding will be allocated based on the order of eligible applications received until funds are exhausted.
Innovate Grant
Provides grants to artists and photographers to act as sparks of financial support that ignite your creative development. Grant cycles are open 4 times a year (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter). Each quarterly cycle: Two (2) US$550.00 grants awarded and four (4) honorable mentions. All recipients will be featured and recognized on Innovate’s website.
These small and mighty bursts of financial support aim to help you:
– Develop New Ideas
– Experiment with New Forms
– Create New Work.
Creative Partnerships Australia Australian Cultural Fund
Helps raise funds for Australian artists, via a donation-based fundraising platform.
The Australian Cultural Fund is a fundraising platform for Australian artists. It is managed by Creative Partnerships Australia and was established by the Australian Government in 2003 to encourage donations to the arts. Through the ACF, artists upload their project, start their fundraising campaign and invite art lovers and supporters to donate.
EMERGENCY HERITAGE WORKS GRANTS
The Emergency works grants are open all year round to eligible applicants and subject to available funding. These grants support the protection or repairs to declared Aboriginal Places, items listed on the State Heritage Register, or items with a current interim heritage order that have been damaged by unexpected events (such as an extreme storm or accident) and where your insurance does not cover this cost.
Grant amount: Up to $10,000
Application opened: 1 July 2023
Application closes: 30 June 2025