CURRENT 2024 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
*dates listed are the closing dates for applications
AUGUST 2025:
25 Aug - Country Arts Support Program (CASP)
The Country Arts Support Program (CASP) is a small grants initiative funded by Create NSW and managed by Regional Arts Development Organisations. Arts North West is offering grants of up to $3,000 for arts community groups, and arts organisations in the New England North West to boost their creative projects.
CASP aims to help out with local community arts and cultural activities, give regional groups more chances to access a wide variety of arts programs, and let communities explore and express their cultural identities. It also brings social and economic benefits to the community through training, jobs, and promotion, raises awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity, and makes regional community arts organisations more sustainable and resilient.
SEPTEMBER 2025:
7 Sep - Volunteer Museum Grants – Round 2 Now Open
M&G NSW is now accepting applications for two grants from the Volunteer Museum Grant Program for 2025. These grants are designed to assist volunteer community museums and Aboriginal cultural centres in NSW. Funded by the NSW Government through Create NSW and administered by Museums & Galleries of NSW, the program is designed to provide access to funding and experience in the grant application process.
Grants available in Round 2 are:
Small Grants
Up to $2,000
Small Grants are for short-term, collection-based projects. There are no set funding categories, and applications for a broad range of projects will be considered.
Applications close: 7 September 2025
Project Development Grants
$2,500 – $7,500
Project Development Grants allow community museums and Aboriginal cultural spaces to carry out strategic and innovative projects with mid to long term outcomes. The grants can also provide an opportunity to work productively with an appropriate consultant as a skill development opportunity.
Applications close: 7 September 2025
For more information about the Volunteer Museum Grants program contact Alice Norwood, Museums Coordinator, alicen@mgnsw.org.au
Phone: (02) 5663 2338
First-time applicants or those with limited grant-writing experience are encouraged to reach out for ongoing assistance.
SEPT 15 - SHORT TO FEATURE FAST TRACK
The Short to Feature Fast Track Initiative combines funding for the production of a short film or proof of concept, as well as script development funds for a low budget feature film.
On this page
Key information
Status: Open
Grant amount: Total funding of $75k, comprising: Up to $45,000 for production or up to $30,000 for post-production for short/proof of concept; and up to $30,000 for feature film development
Application opened: 7 August 2025
Application closes: 15 September 2025, 5:00 pm
Program objective
The objectives of the program are to:
Support the nurturing of new ideas and talent in NSW
Ensure Key Creatives are given access to opportunities that benefit their careers and reinvest back into the NSW screen industry
Support connections that will shape the future of our creative landscape and strengthen our position in the global market.
This program is administered by Screen NSW.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Please see the Screen NSW website for the full Program Guidelines.
Screen NSW general eligibility requirements can be found in the Screen NSW Terms of Trade which should be read in conjunction with these guidelines.
The producer must have at least one of the following:
An ‘eligible fiction credit’ as a producer, OR
A credit as a producer on a short fiction project which has received production funding through Screen Australia’s Online or First Nations Department fiction programs.
The director must have at least one of the following:
An ‘eligible fiction credit’ as a director, OR
A credit as a director on a short fiction project which has received production funding through Screen Australia’s Online or Indigenous Department fiction programs, OR
A credit as a director on a narrative television series with a minimum duration of 30 minutes OR
A high level of critical acclaim as a director in a related field such as theatre, TV commercials or documentary (i.e., awards, critical reviews, broadcasts, box office, international sales).
Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis where a director has previously directed a feature film, however the initiative is supporting creatives moving into features so materials must demonstrate a strong case to support, i.e., be a significant genre shift from previous work.
General Eligibility:
The Applicant must be the producer and have a valid ABN and, if required by law, be registered for GST.
The Applicant may be an individual or a production company and must be NSW Based.
The Applicant must own or control the rights in the short/proof of concept and feature film script and all other rights necessary to carry out the projects.
The “key creative team” must comprise a NSW-Based writer, director and applicant-producer. Additional producers, who are not NSW Based and are not the applicants, will be considered.
Applications must include at least one Key Creative from Screen NSW’s Strategic Priority Area groups (Regional NSW, Western Sydney, First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people living with disability, and LGBTQIA+ people).
Applications must also include at least one female Key Creative in line with NSW gender equity targets.
A team must comprise of at least two members, and all teams must include a producer. One person cannot be both the producer and director on the project. Nor can they hold all three key creative positions: writer, director and producer. However, writer/director or writer/producer are eligible.
An individual can submit or be attached to multiple applications; however, advice is to put your most competitive projects forward.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Short film/proof of concept production:
To be at least 5 minutes to a maximum of 15 minutes in duration.
To be produced and post-produced entirely in NSW.
Can include live action and animation.
For post-production applications, applications must be at the rough-cut or fine-cut stage with the latest footage having been shot within one year of the application closing date.
Projects must be shot on and mastered on HD and able to be screened via theatrical release, television, online or mobile.
While encouraging low budget approaches to storytelling, producers are permitted to raise additional finance to produce their films. Screen NSW encourages applicants to approach industry facilities and negotiate deals, as well as crowd funding, distribution, and other sources of funds to finance their project.
Please seek approval before committing to crediting requirements. The funds must be in place at the time of submitting your application and evidence of this provided in your second stage application.
Third-party investment is allowed under specific conditions and following consultation with Screen NSW. Third-party investors must sit behind any deferrals in the recoupment structure.
Sponsorship and product placement are allowed in the form of a grant, not an investment (it cannot be recoupable) and must be approved by Screen NSW in advance.
As per our Terms of Trade, Screen NSW funding is conditional on paying at least award minimum rates including key creatives, cast and crew.
Funding cannot be retrospective.
Documentary projects are not eligible.
Feature film development:
The feature film script does not have to be the same story or a long version of the short film/proof of concept but should be connected, for example, by creative voice, genre, tone or stylistic approach. The formats can include live action and animation. All genres are eligible.
There is no restriction on subject matter or style, but Screen NSW is looking for scripts that are compelling, distinctive and have a strong sense of their audience.
The feature film must be intended to be produced and post-produced entirely in NSW.
SEP 17 - BACKROADS SMALL HALLS TOURING GRANT
BACKROADS
Backroads connects communities throughout regional and remote NSW to small-scale, high quality performing arts events. The initiative aims to extend and support the reach of professional productions to regional towns that do not have performing arts centres as well as support small hall activation and the work of independent producers and artists.
Backroads is best suited to adaptable, low-budget NSW-based productions that would feel at home in a community centre, old town hall, or small, independent theatre. Tours need to be self-sufficient, able to produce, mount and market their work in regional and remote towns.
KEY INFO 2025
Applications OPEN Wed 23 July
Applications CLOSE Wed 17 September
Application info session
Wed 16 July, 3pm (AEST)
Register here
SEP 17 - Strengthening Rural Communities – Small & Vital
Image: Inglewood Lions Club, SRC Rd 19 Grant Recipient
The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Small & Vital stream gives small remote, rural and regional communities across Australia the opportunity to access funds for a broad range of initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities. There are two tiers of Small & Vital funding available.
Small grants up to $10,000 are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities that strengthen local people, places and climate solutions, with a preference for smaller communities (populations less than15,000). The timeframe to deliver these projects is up to 12 months.
Targeted larger leverage grants up to $50,000 are only available for projects that focus on strengthening the digital skills, confidence and safety of adults enabling them to get online, build social connections and access services, information, education and employment through training, as well as acquiring the digital and connectivity infrastructure where needed. The timeframe to deliver these projects is up to 18 months.
FRRR’s Small & Vital program supports thriving, resilient, and sustainable remote, rural and regional communities across Australia. In particular, priority will be given to projects that:
Support communities to implement generational transition;
Invest in outback, remote and less resourced communities;
Build capacity and resourcing for a just and equitable energy transition;
Support First Nations-led initiatives that strengthen culture, country, economic participation and reconciliation.
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and assessed quarterly.
23 SEP - Live Performance Venue Grant Program Round 2
The Live Performance Venue Grant supports hospitality venues to host live performances, with funding for sound or staging equipment, programming, marketing, and other delivery costs
On this page
Key information
Status: Open
Grant amount: From $15,000 to $80,000
Application opened: 14 August 2025
Application closes: 23 September 2025, 2:00 pm
Program objective
The purpose of the Live Performance Venue Grant Program is to:
Increase the number of hospitality venues staging live performance in NSW
Increase the number and diversity of live performances in the NSW night-time economy
Create employment opportunities for those working in the live performance sector in NSW (e.g. artists, audio-visual professionals, hospitality and venue staff).
Please refer to the Program Guidelines for further information, including eligibility criteria, assessment criteria and application process.You can find them, along with Frequently asked questions, on our Program Guidelines and Resources page here.
LPVP Collage Image credits:
Dancer: Shutterstock Audience
Guitar player: Destination NSW
Red dress performer: Destination NSW
Close hands on DJ set: 24-Hour Economy NSW
Man behind microphone: 24-Hour Economy NSW
DJ: 24-Hour Economy NSW
This program is administered by Create NSW.
NOVEMBER 2025:
2 Nov - Leg Up Grants
Leg Up Grants are quick response skill development grants for workers in volunteer managed museums and Aboriginal cultural spaces throughout NSW. These grants fund various skill development projects including hosting or attending workshops, conferences or seminars in NSW, in addition to networking activities.
Previous Leg Up Grants have funded museum volunteers to attend conferences and workshops, and to gain training in areas of museum practice including paper conservation, oral history, disaster preparedness and significance assessment.
Amount available: Up to $500
Opening Date: 10th February 2025
Closing Date: 2nd November 2025
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