NSW creates new funding for arts venues

To improve arts and cultural venues in three NSW cities, the State Government has introduced the new Creative Capital fund.

It will be used to improve arts and cultural venues, repair and conserve collections or for new equipment to improve the usability of arts and cultural facilities in metropolitan Sydney, Western Sydney, Newcastle, the Blue Mountains and Wollongong.

Applicants can apply for up to $60,000 in matched funding from Create NSW.

Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said that the funding will boost creative hubs and bring other benefits including increased employment, urban renewal and tourism opportunities.

“We are excited to offer new opportunities for local arts and cultural organisations and highlight the artistic excellence that exists in the three big cities of NSW,” he announced.

“We are encouraging arts organisations to apply for much needed innovations such as digitization of their collections, to renovations for new auditorium seating or stage machinery.

Harwin also explained that the new fund has a wide scope to expand audience participation and grow involvement in the arts.

“Increased investment in cultural infrastructure is in line with our ten year Create in NSW policy framework and we are committed to making sure that NSW is number one in the arts.”

This funding is on top of the $100 million over four years promised to the regions for cultural infrastructure upgrades as part of the Regional Cultural Fund.

Applications for the Creative Capital fund close on Friday November 10 at the website.