Cultural Connections

Cultural Connections is a program providing opportunities to artists and community leaders from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, People of Colour and people who identify as culturally diverse.

The wider community are invited to take part in the program (see below) presented by this years Cultural Connections grant recipients.

Aims and objectives of the EOI

The Cultural Connections EOI is for the communities mentioned above to access resources to encourage:

• diverse representation in the arts
• an increase in cross cultural understanding
• engagement of children and young people in arts programming with a cultural perspective
• recognition of cultural diversity as an asset and contributor to innovative arts practice
• the development of the story about our local area and who we are.

Application process 2025

Application dates

Applications for the Cultural Connections Expression of Interest open Monday 7 July, 9am and close Monday 4 August, 3pm.
People interested in applying are advised to read the Guidelines available below to ensure they understand the requirements and Cultural Connections program.

Information session - Learn more about the EOI, tips for filling in your application, key dates and ask any questions you have.
Monday 30 June, 4pm - 4.30pm, Marrickville Pavilion, 313 Marrickville Road, Marrickville (adjoins Marrickville Library).

Eligibility criteria / who can apply

• Applicants must reside in the Inner West or be undertaking projects that benefit the Inner West community
• Applicants do not need to identify as an artist or creative, however the proposal must have a creative outcome
• Australian residents or permanent residents aged 18+
• Unincorporated groups or non-Australian residents must be auspiced by an incorporated not-for-profit organisation
• Legally registered, incorporated not-for-profit organisations
• If working with children a valid /current Working with Children Check (WWCC) must be provided
• All applications must be submitted online through smartygrants
• Only one application per person/group is permitted
• Successful applicants will be required to enter a contract with Council and to supply relevant insurances or licenses (Public Liability Insurance $20mil)
• The panel will consider the spread of new and returning artists to the program each year.

Assessment criteria / what your application needs to show

• The individual or team’s skills and experience to deliver the project (20%)
• How well the project meets two or more of the EOI aims (30%)
• The benefits of the project to community (30%)
• How practical and achievable the project is within the proposed budget (this includes clear documentation of what you intend to spend the money on with quotes for any items over $500) (20%)

Timeline

Documentation of the projects

Successful applicants will be required to document their project as a resource for others to engage with.

The documentation must include:

• a showcase of the work/ project which meets Council’s standards (file size/ quality – this could be a sound file, recording, photography, illustration etc)
• a short description of the project and outcome to accompany the work as well as artists names, social media links and a promotional image 1800px x 750px
  This documentation will be shared on Council’s website and will need to be compatible with Council’s website (e.g. YouTube video, mp3, pdf, jpeg)
• A professional photographer will attend one hour of each program, this will be arranged and paid for by Council.

Guidelines

Cultural Connections Guidelines 2025 - 2026 coming soon, last year's Guidelines 2024 - 2025 pdf (PDF 650.7KB) Guidelines 2024 - 2025 word doc (DOCX 2.5MB)

Got questions?

You can reach out to Council's Community Arts Project Officer, Monday - Thursday, 8.30am - 4pm, via phone 9335 2293 or email raffaela.cavadini@innerwest.nsw.gov.au

2025 application form portal - opens Monday 7 July, 9am

Apply here

Cultural Connections program 2024-2025

Program

Previous programs

Previous Cultural Connections programs Click to go to Previous Cultural Connections programs