Strengthening the arts and cultural sector’s core: Around $17 million annual investment in creative communities across NSW

More than 80 arts and cultural organisations across NSW will share in close to $17 million per annum through 4-Year Multi-year funding, representing a significant investment in the sustainable growth of the state’s arts and cultural sector.

Organisations that collectively employ thousands of artists and cultural workers spanning many artforms and engaging diverse audiences will be supported through until the end of 2028 to strengthen skills, develop strong collaborative partnerships and deliver vibrant arts and cultural experiences for NSW.

Highlights from the 4-Year Multi-year Funding investment include:

• A total of 82 organisations funded until 2028, with the investment shared across diverse artforms – from First Nations arts and culture to classical music/choral/opera, community arts and cultural development, dance, digital/experimental/immersive/light art, festivals, literature, multi arts, museums and history, theatre, and visual arts
• Strong support for regional NSW with $7.15 million shared by 36 successful regional organisations
• Six First Nations arts and cultural organisations, including four organisations receiving multi-year funding for the first time, quadrupling the investment to a total of $1.165 million
• A dramatic increase for arts and cultural festivals, with over $1.9 million committed in 2026 and beyond
• In Western Sydney, 16 organisations have been backed with increased funding, with over $3.9 million invested

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A major uplift will be felt in regional communities with funding delivered to some of the state’s leading cultural tourism drivers and community arts facilitators. Among the recipients in the regions are flagship festivals, including Byron Writers’ Festival, Cementa and Newcastle Writers’ Festival; regional galleries in Lismore, Albury and Southern Highlands; performing arts companies FLING Physical Theatre, Flying Fruit Fly Circus, Outback Theatre for Young People, and Spaghetti Circus; as well as local government authorities and regional arts development organisations, which provide services and platforms for local artists, as well as grassroots creative and cultural experiences for communities across the state.

Service organisations receiving the funding include NSW Aboriginal Culture Heritage and Arts Association Inc, Accessible Arts, Australian Plays Transform, Diversity Arts, NSW Writers’ Centre, National Association for the Visual Arts, and the Royal Australian Historical Society. This long-term funding ensures each can continue to support independent artists and smaller organisations, delivering a significant flow-on effect.

The 4-Year Multi-year Funding supports organisations to build long-term workforce capacity, unlock opportunities and make lasting and impactful arts and cultural experiences accessible for all.

See full recipient list

Karen Rodgers, Director Arts, Create NSW said:

“This multi-year investment provides much needed stability to organisations that underpin the state’s creative sector.

“By bolstering organisations, and in-turn, the many artists and arts workers they employ, this funding will generate lasting positive impact to the broader creative ecosystem and everyone who engages with arts and culture in NSW, increasing vibrancy and inspiring communities for years to come.”

Alex Wisser, Creative Director Cementa Inc said:

“Cementa, through its residency program and major biennial festival, provides a bridge between contemporary artists and regional audiences, who may otherwise never connect. By removing distance, and fostering deeper artist-audience relationships, Cementa disrupts the traditional experience of art. We see artists challenged to create new work, grounded in relatable regional contexts, that resonates deeply with locals and festival audiences.

“We’re thrilled to receive 4-Year Multi-year Funding from Create NSW’s Arts and Cultural Funding Program to enable us to continue fostering meaningful engagement between artists, locals and visitors to Kandos.”