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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 and creative development for artists
- Opportunities for audiences to engage with arts and culture
- Strengthened capacity and sustainability for Inner West creative industries
- Creative benefits to the local community, including cultural identity.
Key dates
The Arts grant round is currently closed.
See the 2025 Arts grants presentation here (PDF, 1.10MB)
See a black and white version of the presentation with more visible presenter notes (PDF, 899.11KB) - sadly photo credits are not displaying, please view the colour version for artist credits
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 individual practising artists based in the Inner West.
To support creative practice and career development across a range of disciplines including:
- Skill development (e.g. courses, training, mentorship)
- Creative development (e.g. developing or showcasing concepts or work)
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 cultural projects that benefit the Inner West community.
Guidelines
Download the Inner West Council grant program guidelines here. (PDF, 596.84KB)
The objectives of the arts grant program are to:
- Promote a vibrant street life, support local business and encourage visitors
- Increase opportunities for community participation in arts and culture, including access to art in the public domain
- 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.
The following criteria will be considered in the process of assessing applications:
- Excellence and innovation in arts and creative practice and/or delivery of arts projects
- Impact of project and contribution to Council’s Community Strategic Plan and grant objectives
- Demonstrated capacity to deliver the project including relevant experience and supporting material, skills and time
- Realistic budget, including all sources of project income and quotes where relevant
Category One only
- Benefits to the artist's creative practice, career development or career sustainability
Category Two only
- Creative community benefits (including access to art in the public domain); and/or benefits to the creative sector
- Individual artists who are successful may need to supply proof of identity.
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
Applicants are encouraged to speak with Naomi Bower, Cultural Planning and Policy Leader on (02) 9335 2249 (Monday to Thursday) or Kate Matthews, Senior Producer - Creative Programs on (02) 9335 2140 (Monday to Friday) before applying. Grant applicants requiring support with their application are encouraged to reach out to Council on the above numbers to discuss their needs.
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 Two: Arts project grants
For Art grant enquiries please contact a Council officer 02 9335 2249 (Monday to Thursday) or 02 9335 2140 (Monday to Friday).
