To support our creative community, Inner West Council has opened up each of our seven town halls free-for-use as creative spaces!
Who can apply?
- Creative individuals or groups: Local or connected to the Inner West, must have a creative practice such as visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, or multi-arts.
- Not-for-Profit (NFP) Organisations: Incorporated or unincorporated NFP groups delivering creative projects with community benefit.
- Emerging Creatives: Artists or groups requiring space to develop and showcase new work.
- 18 years and over: Under 18s require the booking to be made by a guardian.
What activities are eligible?
Projects must be an expression of the applications creative practice and demonstrate alignment with at least one of the following:
- Creative development: Rehearsals, or workshops.
- Public presentation: Exhibitions, or performances.
Ineligible uses
The following are not eligible for the Creative Town Halls Program:
- Private events (e.g., weddings, birthdays).
- The primary objective of the event is not a creative outcome (e.g., Table tennis class).
- Commercial events without demonstrated financial need for fee reduction.
- Fundraising events, and markets.
- Regular, organised sporting activities/events.
- Events where the primary purpose is the celebration of a cultural tradition, festival, or community gathering (rather than the creation or presentation of a new artistic or creative outcome).
Council offers a scaled fee structure based on the applicant and their activity:
100% Fee Waiver:
Creative individuals, groups, or NFPs where activities align with the assessment criteria and who can demonstrate financial need, showing that the project cannot proceed without fully subsidised venue hires
50% Fee Waiver:
Non-Profit Organisations (NFPs) or sole traders hosting ticketed events, where the event does not require fully subsidised venue hire to proceed and is expected to generate some revenue or profit.
Full Fee:
Private or commercial events, fundraising events or projects not meeting the above criteria. (See scaled fee structure linked above for ineligible organisations).
Note: Applicants receiving a subsidy must acknowledge Council support by displaying the Inner West Council logo in marketing materials.
Submit applications via Council’s online form, outlining your project, intended activities, budget, and alignment with eligibility criteria.
One of our team members will get back to you within 5 business days (bookings will not be accepted within 10 business days of a proposed event date).
Assessment process
Applications are reviewed by a specialist panel, including cultural staff, ensuring transparency and alignment with program goals.
Assessment criteria
The panel will assess each enquiry with the following criteria:
Activity and Experience:
- Suitability of activity for available spaces.
- Demonstrated need for financial support.
- Demonstrated experience as an artist, creative practitioner, or emerging artist which may include relevant projects, exhibitions, performances or other examples of creative works.
Connection to the Inner West:
- Supports artists and creative organisations who are based in the Inner West Council local government area and/or
- Nurtures the viability and vibrancy of the arts and cultural sector and/or
- Supports the career development of artists and/or
- Benefits to the Inner West community
The Creative Town Hall Concierge Service provides support to Inner West creatives seeking spaces in Council’s Town Halls and other subsidised venues. The Concierge Service provides a customer service to match creatives with a suitable space to support the valuable work they do in the Inner West.
For questions or further information, please contact the Creative Town Hall Concierge Service by:
Email: creative.townhalls@innerwest.nsw.gov.au
If you are ineligible and would like to enquire about a general hire, please contact bookingsteam@innerwest.nsw.gov.au
