Minister for the Arts Frank Sartor today released the findings of an independent review into the NSW Cultural Grants Program.

Mr Sartor said the review by Sydney Writers Festival chair Sandra Yates and former NSW Heritage Council chair Michael Collins was commissioned to ensure the arts community was receiving effective government support.

“The NSW Government is committed to supporting and developing the State’s arts and cultural sector,” Mr Sartor said.

“The cultural grants program is a key plank in our plan to deliver that support and it is vital the program continues to work effectively.

“The review examined issues including existing structures and recent national trends, as well as feedback from a number of industry groups.

“The recommendations are aimed at making the program more strategic and, while some aspects will need to be investigated further, the report has my overall support.”

Key recommendations include:
• Developing a strategic framework;
• Streamlining administrative elements of the program; and
• Reforming the program and investigating the possibility of creating four funding categories.

Implementation will begin immediately on a number of key recommendations aimed at simplifying grant applications and streamlining processing.

The total funding pool available under the Cultural Grants Program remains the same.

Sandra Yates and chair of the Arts Advisory Council Professor David Throsby have been appointed to an Implementation Group to oversee the changes.

“There is so much potential to be realised by freeing up both time and resources in Arts NSW,” Ms Yates said.

"Greater transparency and a clear policy framework will enable arts companies to plan with more confidence.”

Professor Throsby said strengthening the program’s strategic framework was key to ensuring its effectiveness.

“I believe these proposed changes will deliver significant benefits to the arts sector across NSW,” Professor Throsby said.

The review is available for download.

Media release available to download here.