ARTS NORTH WEST - CASP GRANTS 2026

Arts North West is pleased to invite applications for the 2026 Country Arts Support Program (CASP), offering grants of up to $3,000 to support community-led arts and cultural projects across the New England North West.

Funded by Create NSW and administered locally by Arts North West, CASP provides small grants that help communities bring creative ideas to life. The program supports projects that strengthen community connections, celebrate local culture, build creative skills and increase access to arts and cultural experiences throughout regional NSW.

CASP supports projects that:

  • Assist locally determined community arts and cultural activities.

  • Increase opportunities for regional communities to access a diverse range of arts and cultural programs.

  • Enable communities to explore, celebrate and express their cultural identities.

  • Deliver social and economic benefits through training, employment and promotional opportunities.

  • Increase awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity.

  • Strengthen the sustainability and resilience of regional community arts organisations and groups.

Whether you're planning an exhibition, workshop series, performance, public art project, festival activity or another creative initiative, CASP can help turn your ideas into reality.

Key Dates

📌 Applications Open: Monday, 3 August 2026

📌 Applications Close: Monday, 14 September 2026

📌 Successful Applicants Notified: Monday, 21 September 2026

📌 Funding Agreements & Invoices Due: Wednesday, 21 October 2026

📌 Projects May Commence: From Wednesday, 21 October 2026

📌 Projects Must Be Completed By: Thursday, 21 October 2027

📌 Final Acquittals Due: Monday, 22 November 2027

For organisations currently delivering 2025 CASP projects, please note that 2025 acquittals are due by Saturday, 1 August 2026…0.00

CASP Guidelines 2025 - word doc
CASP GUIDELINES 2025 - PDF DOC

ELIGIBILITY – WHO CAN APPLY? 

  • A not-for-profit incorporated body 

  • A local government authority 

  • A collective with a nominated administering body (see FAQS below) 

  • Applicants are required to have a current certificate of currency for Broadform Liability or ‘Public Liability’ Insurance 

  • Applicants who have discussed their project with the relevant regional arts development organisation via phone 0493 316 463 or email rado@artsnw.com.au 

The eligible local government area’s include:  

  • Armidale Regional 

  • Glen Innes Severn 

  • Gunnedah Shire 

  • Gwydir Shire 

  • Liverpool Plains Shire 

  • Moree Plains Shire 

  • Narrabri Shire 

  • Tamworth Regional 

  • Tenterfield Shire 

  • Uralla Shire 

  • Walcha Council 

WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY? 

  • Groups based in Sydney and the Blue Mountains, or for projects based in those areas or outside of the Arts North West service area.  

  • Interstate organisations 

  • Professional touring groups 

  • Commercial enterprises 

  • Groups/ensembles and unincorporated associations with no administering body 

  • Regional Conservatoriums 

  • Those who have already received CASP Funding  

  • Organisations that have applied for or received Create NSW funding for the same activity 

  • Previous recipients where the use of the grant did not, in the opinion of the CASP state assessment panel, conform to the spirit and intentions of these guidelines 

  • State and federal government departments, including schools (except P&Cs who are incorporated) 

  • Organisations that have overdue reports or acquittals for any funding programs administered by RANSW and/or Create NSW 

  • Applicants who have not discussed their project with the relevant regional arts development organisation. 

LINK TO THE CASP APPLICATION