Arts grants
Overview
Arts grants provide funding for local artists, groups of artists or arts organisations. The funding may support projects that deliver:
- the production and presentation of new creative work, professional arts and skills development
- opportunities for audiences to engage with arts and cultural participation
- strengthened capacity and sustainability for Inner West’s creative industries, and those that benefit the local community by contributing to local identity
- belonging and pride
Key dates
The Arts grants round open Monday 15 April until 4pm, Friday 17 May 2024.
Funding Fundamentals support workshop for arts grants with Creative Plus Business (presented by Cat Dibley) – Thursday 2 May, 5 to 8pm at Marrickville Pavilion – register here.
Funding available
Funding for Arts grants is available under two grant categories, please note only one Arts grant application will be accepted from Applicants.
Category One: Professional development grants of up to $5,000 each
For emerging or practising or established artists based in the Inner West.
For professional skills development to advance the artistic practice. Support is available across a range of disciplines.
Category Two: Arts project grants of up to $10,000 each
For arts organisations, individual artists or group of artists.
For the production and presentation of new work, creative partnerships or significant multi-artform projects that benefit the Inner West community.
Past recipients
A list of successful applicants and their projects for earlier rounds, can be found on the Successful Arts and Culture Grants page.
Guidelines
Objectives
Council's arts grants program aims to:
- Promote a vibrant street life, support local business and encourage visitors
- Increased community connection through art in the public domain, for the community to participate in arts and culture
- Encourage creative excellence and innovation in the content and delivery of arts projects and programs
- Contribute to the development and sustainability of artists and creative industries
Assessment criteria
The following criteria will be considered in the process of assessing applications:
- Potential impact and quality of the project and contribution to Council’s Community Strategic Plan and grant objectives
- Applicant’s capacity to deliver the project including relevant applicant experience and supporting material, skills and time
- Realistic budget, including all sources of project income and quotes where relevant
- Excellence and innovation in arts and creative practice, engagement, and the delivery of arts projects
Category One only
- Benefits to the artist's creative practice or career development
Category Two only
- Enhance community connection to art in the public domain and/or provide social and creative benefits to the community
Stream specific eligibility
- Individual artists who are successful may need to supply proof of identity.
Brief eligibility criteria
Inner West Council provides grants for projects that have not yet commenced, and in limited cases people who have not yet acquitted a previous grant may be eligible to apply again. In addition:
- Council does fund Parents and Citizen organisations but does not fund projects for schools
- Council only provides support for capital projects in the Environment grant stream, and Council does not provide support for interstate or overseas travel
- Council does not fund political parties or their activities
Application support
Applicants are encouraged to speak with a Council officer on (02) 9335 2249 (Monday to Thursday) before applying. One-on-one support is available to provide grant applicants with advice on your project ideas.
How to apply
Council uses SmartyGrants administration software to manage its grants program. Applications must be submitted via the Inner West Council SmartyGrants webpage. Applications must meet the eligibility requirements and no late applications will be accepted. Hard copy applications are not accepted.
Category One: Professional development grants
Category One – Apply online from 9am, Monday 15 April
Category Two: Arts project grants
Category Two – Apply online from 9am, Monday 15 April
Enquiries
For Art grant enquiries please contact (02) 9335 2249 (Monday to Thursday).