About the Creative Grants Program
Council’s annual Creative Grants program provides funding for local artists, creative practitioners, groups of artists or arts organisations. Funding may support activities or projects that deliver:
- the production and presentation of new creative work
- opportunities for communities and audiences to participate in arts and cultural activities including arts and cultural exhibitions, performances, events, programs, and collaborations
- professional arts development and skill building for local arts practitioners across all arts disciplines
- strengthened capacity and sustainability for the North Sydney regions creative industries
Our objectives
- Increase community connection through arts and culture, by providing opportunities to participate in affordable, accessible cultural and creative activities in the public domain
- Enliven our public spaces, encourage vibrant street life and attract visitors to North Sydney
- Promote creative excellence and innovation in arts projects and programs
- Contribute to the development and sustainability of artists and creative industries in the North Sydney region
Key dates
Applications open: Monday 3 March 2025
Applications close: 11.59 pm Monday 14 April 2025
Outcomes notified: Early June 2025
Funds distributed: Early July 2025
Projects to be delivered: Between 1 September 2025 and 30 September 2026
Available funding and grant categories
In 2025 Creative Grants program has been expanded to include two grant categories. Applicants can only apply for one grant in this round.
Category one: Creative Grants (Professional development)
In this category, grants of up to $2,500 each are available for emerging, mid career, established arts practitioners who live or work in the North Sydney Local Government Area for professional development activities that will advance the applicant’s practice.
Support is available across a range of arts disciplines. The professional development activity must be completed between 1 September 2025 and 30 September 2026.
Category two: Creative Grants (Projects)
In this category grants of up to $5,000 each are available to individual arts practitioners, groups or organisations for the production and presentation of creative projects that benefit the North Sydney Community.
Support is available across a range of arts disciplines. The creative project must be completed between 1 September 2025 and 30 September 2026.
Council may provide fee waivers for hire of Council facilities to undertake projects that receive grant funding. Please contact an Arts & Culture Officer before submitting your application to discuss Council venue suitability.
Applicant support
Prospective applicants can make an appointment to discuss applications with one of our Arts & Culture Officers. 30 minute appointment times are available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the period 4 March to 9 April only.