Who is eligible to apply?

Incorporated organisations and local government authorities

Applications to the Cultural Grants Program are invited from organisations or companies incorporated on a non-profit basis and from local government authorities. Tertiary institutions may be considered for support for community-based projects.

Applicant organisations other than local government authorities must have a constitution setting out their objectives and rules, ensuring that no profits are shared among members of the organisation, and that surplus funds are used solely to further the organisation’s objectives.

Applicants must demonstrate that:
• the organisation’s records and finances are responsibly managed,
• the organisation can be dissolved only with the agreement of two-thirds of its members at a Special General Meeting,
• the assets of the organisation will be distributed to a similar organisation in the event of the organisation being disbanded.

Note: Applications will not be considered from organisations whose assets may be distributed among individual members of the organisation.

Applicants unable to meet these eligibility requirements should seek advice from Arts NSW. If applications from any such organisations are considered by Arts NSW to represent projects with the potential to stimulate arts and cultural development in New South Wales, Arts NSW, at its discretion, may provide exceptions to the eligibility requirements outlined herein and accept the applications. Arts NSW shall have the right to impose any conditions it chooses, including having applications auspiced (lodged) on the applicants’ behalf by other organisations.

Unincorporated organisations applying to the Cultural Grants Program must similarly arrange for a non-profit incorporated organisation, a local council or a tertiary institution to lodge the application on their behalf (see the bottom of this page for further information on auspiced applications). 

Individuals applying for fellowships, scholarships and awards must be (unless otherwise specified):
• Australian citizens currently resident in New South Wales, or
• persons holding permanent residence visas who have been residents of New South Wales for two consecutive years immediately prior to the date of their application.

In general, previous recipients of Arts NSW’s fellowships and scholarships are ineligible to apply for the same award twice.

Applications will not be considered from previous recipients:
• who have not fulfilled the conditions of an Arts NSW (previously Ministry for the Arts) grant, fellowship or scholarship
• whose use of a grant, fellowship or scholarship did not, in the opinion of the Peer Group Committee, conform to the spirit and intentions of these guidelines, or 
• who have not acquitted or satisfactorily acquitted prior Arts NSW (previously Ministry for the Arts) grants, fellowships or scholarships.

Fellowships and scholarships are:
• not intended to meet costs associated with a project or program that has already been substantially completed
• generally not available to assist the completion of degree theses or university or college projects undertaken to gain formal qualifications
• not to be applied towards the cost of items and materials already purchased at the time an application is lodged.

Fellowships and scholarships are usually awarded to an individual, although joint applications may be accepted under certain circumstances. Inquiries should be directed to the relevant Arts NSW program staff.

Who is ineligible to apply?

Applications will not generally be accepted from:
• commercial organisations operating on an expected profit basis
• individuals and unincorporated organisations, unless the application is lodged for them by an incorporated organisation (with the exception of applicants for the Helen Lempriere Travelling Arts Scholarship)
• other Government departments, including schools
• previous grant recipients who have not fulfilled the conditions of the particular grant
• previous recipients, whose use of a grant did not, in the opinion of the Peer Group Committee, conform to the spirit and intentions of these guidelines 
• previous recipients who have not acquitted or satisfactorily acquitted prior grants or returned unexpended funds.

See particular program details for exceptions, qualifications or further conditions to these.

What is the definition of ‘professional’?

The Peer Group Committees prefer to direct assistance to professional groups. For the purpose of these guidelines, ‘professional groups or organisations’ are those employing qualified staff at the appropriate award rate. They would usually have an appropriately qualified administrator or director.

The definition of ‘professional artist’ is deliberately broad to take into account factors such as:
• artists from diverse cultural backgrounds whose artistic or cultural knowledge has been developed through oral traditions
• professional artists who are self-taught
• artists of professional calibre who must work outside the arts to generate income.

A professional artist:
• identifies him/herself as such on the basis of skill or experience
• is accepted by peers or the arts industry as a professional and may or may not earn income from artwork.

Which types of amateur groups may apply?

The conditions under which amateur groups may be funded are indicated in the guidelines for specific programs, where applicable. In general, amateur groups may apply for funds towards the fees of professionals who would directly contribute to the development of the group’s skills and the improvement of performance and production standards.

A Peer Group Committee may consider assistance to an amateur group which can demonstrate that:
• it is the only viable organisation serving a town or region
• it maintains a consistently high standard and continuity of activity
• has a substantial regular audience and a fee-paying membership.

What are auspiced applications?

Unincorporated organisations and individuals applying to the Cultural Grants Program must arrange for an incorporated organisation to auspice (lodge) their application for them. Applicants must provide contact details about the auspicing organisation, information about its history and background, and financial information.

Organisations lodging an application are obliged to sign a declaration on the Application Form certifying that the information is correct and agreeing to take responsibility for the administration and acquittal of the grant, should the application be successful.

Arts NSW recommends that the auspicing organisation and the organisation or individual whose grant is being auspiced draw up a written agreement setting out their mutual responsibilities, with particular regard to payment and provision of information, and establishing an independent arbitration mechanism should any disputes arise.

It is recommended that those considering entering into an auspicing agreement read Arts NSW’s Guidelines for Auspicing Bodies, which are available as a downloadable PDF or by calling Arts NSW on (02) 9228 5533 or 1800 358 594 (NSW).