Create NSW

27/10/2026

Meet the 10 inaugural Stories Matter NSW Literary Fellows. 10 talented NSW writers, illustrators and playwrights have each been awarded a $50,000 Stories Matter NSW Literary Fellowship to develop a significant new work over the next year.

Delivered by Writing NSW in partnership with Create NSW, the fellowship program responds to one of the biggest challenges facing storytellers: finding the time and financial support needed to create new work.

Selected from more than 330 applications, the fellows represent a diverse range of voices, disciplines and career stages from across NSW.

The Stories Matter NSW Literary Fellowships are a key initiative of Stories Matter: A Writing and Literature Strategy for NSW and support the creation of new stories that reflect the communities, experiences and creativity of our state.

Congratulations to the inaugural fellows. We look forward to seeing their projects come to life.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/skZz5101b8u

Image Caption: 2026-27 Stories Matter NSW Literary Fellows (Top row L-R) Sarah Carroll, Erica J Brennan, Ellen O'Brien, Alisha Brown and Nisaluk Chantanakom. (Bottom row L-R) Dylin Hardcastle, Jazz Money, Mick Elliot, Alana Valentine and Omar Sakr.

26/10/2026

Expressions of Interest now open for the Young People Talent Register

Are you aged 18–28 and passionate about arts and culture?

The NSW Government is looking for young, creative and community-minded people who want to help shape the future of arts and culture in NSW.

Join the Young People Talent Register to be considered for opportunities to contribute to boards and committees across the arts and cultural sector.

We're looking for people who:
✔️ Are aged 18–28
✔️ Live anywhere in NSW
✔️ Come from diverse backgrounds and communities
✔️ Want to share your perspectives
✔️ Interested in leadership and decision-making

Applications close Monday 16 November 2026 at 5 pm.

If you're ready to make a difference and contribute your ideas, experience and perspective, apply today: https://ow.ly/WCM95100Q3g

Image credit: DCITHS, Inaugural members of the Creative Youth Council (L to R) Joelle Sassine, William Cook, Vivian Pham, Dylan Goh, Manan Luthra, Hamani Tanginoa, Bindi Mutiara, Melissa Applin

22/10/2026

Creativity helps make NSW the vibrant, connected and diverse place we call home.

From artists and performers to designers, screen makers, festivals, museums, galleries and cultural organisations, creativity shapes our everyday lives while supporting jobs, businesses and communities across the state.

Today, NSW's first-ever Creative Statement to Parliament provides an update on how the NSW Government is supporting arts, culture and creative industries through Creative Communities, the state’s 10-year whole-of-government arts, culture and creative industries policy.

As Australia's largest creative state, NSW is building a strong, fair and sustainable future for arts, culture and creative industries.

Read the full Creative Statement to Parliament and discover how creativity is helping shape the future of NSW.

https://www.nsw.gov.au/arts-and-culture/engage-nsw-arts-and-culture/resource-hub/creative-statement-to-parliament

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Image credits:
1) Welcome Event, International
Astronautical Congress, 2025, Sydney.
Photo: Yeah Rad.
2) Australian Fashion Week 2026. Carla Zampatti Runway Presentation at the Park Hyatt Boardwalk. Photo: Lucas Dawson.
5) Students from the ACO
Foundations program. Photo: Nic Walker,
courtesy of the Australian Chamber
Orchestra.

14/10/2026

Applications are now open for the 2026-27 First Nations Cultural Tourism Creativity Fund.

The new fund will support First Nations artists, creative practitioners, organisations and businesses to develop and grow First Nations-led arts, cultural and tourism experiences across NSW. This funding will help bring new experiences to life, strengthen connections with visitors and grow creative participation in the visitor economy.

Whether you're developing an early-stage idea or ready to expand an existing cultural tourism experience, this fund can help take your project to the next level.

Applications close 12 November 2026.

Find out more and apply: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/2026-27-first-nations-cultural-tourism-creativity-fund

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Image credit: Broken Hill-based artist Barkindji artist David Doyle in his workshop image Copyright 2023 Destination 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).