Small grants supporting local arts activities with exciting creative outcomes
Opens on 18 March, 2026.
Closing 5pm, Monday 20 April, 2026.
THE 2026 ROUND HAS NOW CLOSED.
Thanks to generous donors and a top up from Arts OutWest, this round has $12,000 of funding.
In this initial year of the new Arts OutWest Cultural Fund microgrants, Arts OutWest is offering 2 small grants programs:
There are two funding streams.
- Grants of up to $1000 for individual artists to undertake arts and heritage activities with public outcomes in the NSW Central West.
- Grants of up to $2500 for groups (arts and heritage organisations, local councils, artists working in partnership with arts organisations, arts and heritage venues, collectives or groups of artists etc) to undertake arts and heritage activities with public outcomes in the NSW Central West.
The microgrants aim to support:
- Locally driven, quality arts and heritage activities or projects
- Employment of artists or arts workers
- New activity for communities in the NSW Central West
- Some level of public outcome (be it a workshop, a showing, a presentation, performance etc. See FAQ for more clarity)
In addition to funding, Arts OutWest supports the funded activities with:
- A media associate (photographer) to capture an element of the activity and provide (free) images for your use.
- Media/ promotional coverage of the activity through our website, social and where possible media relationships.
Note, it’s a requirement for all applicants to discuss their activity idea with Arts OutWest before submitting an application (by phone, email or in person).
Applications open: Wednesday 18 March
Applications close: Monday 20 April
Announcement of funded activities: May 2026
Activities can run: June to December 2026.
Up to $1000.
For: arts and heritage activities with public outcomes in the NSW Central West.
Up to $2500
For: arts and heritage activities with public outcomes in the NSW Central West.
A ‘group’ includes incorporated groups, not-for-profit organisations, collectives, local government, artists working in partnership with arts organisations, arts or cultural based businesses.
Some examples of activities that could be funded:
- Workshops (for specific groups or open generally)
- Exhibitions
- Performances
- Publications
- Talks
- Artist in residence
- Community arts initiatives
- Research and story development
- Development of new work
Funds should mainly go towards:
- Artist and arts worker fees
- Artist travel and accommodation
A portion of the grant budget can include other costs, for example:
- Exhibition costs
- Materials
- Venue hire
- Equipment hire
- Marketing and publicity
Whilst it is not a requirement, applications where expenses contribute back to the Central West economy (ie are spent locally) will be favourably viewed.
We will not fund:
- Activities that are not primarily arts and heritage based
- Activities outside the Arts OutWest service area
- Activities with no element of public outcome [individual applicants, this requirement is less strict]
- Activities that have already commenced or been completed
- Activities occurring after December 31 2026
- Core administrative costs, office costs
- Capital expenses
- Competitions, prizes, adjudication fees
- Fundraising events
- Activities which could be considered part of the curriculum for schools or tertiary institutions.
- Applicants who have already received Create NSW funding for the same activities
- General operating expenses or ongoing costs of long-term continuing projects
Eligible applicants – individuals:
- People living permanently and practicing in within the Arts OutWest service region (see FAQ for list of LGAs).
- Artists or creatives at any stage of their career.
Eligible applicants – groups
- Groups based within the Arts OutWest service region (see FAQ for list of LGAs).
- Incorporated groups, not-for-profit organisations, collectives, local government, arts or cultural based businesses.
Ineligible applicants – individuals:
- People with outstanding past funding acquittals with Arts OutWest.
- People living outside the Arts OutWest service region.
- Applicants who have not discussed their application with Arts OutWest.
Ineligible applicants – groups:
- Entities with outstanding past funding acquittals with Arts OutWest
- Entities based outside the Arts OutWest service region.
- State and federal government departments, including schools.
- Applicants who have not discussed their application with Arts OutWest
Other requirements for successful applicants:
- Have or are prepared to get a current certificate of currency for Public Liability Insurance – but see FAQs
Groups (up to $2500) will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Artistic and cultural merit (Merit)
- Relevance, extent and depth of community engagement and participation (Impact)
- Evidence of consultation with and support from the community (Impact)
- Evidence of adequate planning, budgeting and capacity to manage the activity (Viability)
Individuals (up to $1000) will be assessed against the above criteria, if relevant, but may also include:
- Opportunity or need for the applicant to move to the next step in their career or to improve reach and skills (Growth)
Optional but desirable criteria:
- Activities develop partnerships or collaboration between groups/ artists/ organisations.
- Budgets show additional other income – either through cash or in-kind.
- Letters of support demonstrate need/ desire for the activity and the relevant support it will receive.
- Applications where expenses contribute back to the Central West economy (ie are spent locally) will be favourably viewed.
Other considerations include: the Central West region’s arts and cultural needs and resources, accessibility and inclusion, and the geographic spread of the final recipients.
Activities with creative content or intended outcomes relating to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists, communities or activities:
If your activity involves creative content or intended outcomes relating to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists, communities or activities, we ask you to provide at least one Letter of Support from relevant Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artists and/or communities OR the contact details of a referee.
Please follow this link to view Create NSW’s Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Protocols: Aboriginal Arts and Culture Protocols – Create NSW.
Assessment
The funding panel, of at least 3 assessors, is made up of Arts OutWest Board members and external industry experts. Arts OutWest staff are NOT on the assessment panel.
After eligibility of the activity and the applicant has been checked, the external funding panel will assess and rank each application against the criteria listed above.
Applicants will be informed of the outcomes within a month of assessment.
- Read these guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact Arts OutWest (phone or email) to quickly discuss your idea – so we know and you know that it is eligible
- Optional: join us for an online grant writing session
- Complete the online application form
PREVIEW THE FORM: 2026 whats in the application form for Arts OutWest Cultural Fund Microgrants
Wednesday 1 April at 5.30pm
Online [This session will be recorded]
Optional
- Who can apply
- What kinds of activities will be funded
- What should you put in your application
- How to do a simple funding budget
- Things to know
Register for the AOW Cultural Fund Microgrants Information Session
All applicants MUST discuss their application with Arts OutWest before applying. See FAQ for why this is a very useful step for you.
Preferred communication for enquiries and discussions:
Phone: (Monday-Friday) 02 6338 4657
Email: artsoutwest@csu.edu.au
If we are not at the phone when you call please leave a message with your name and contact details.
Arts
’Arts’ includes all art forms and also activities with a history and heritage focus.
Arts OutWest supports arts and cultural development across all artforms and heritage, including: Museums and heritage, visual arts, crafts and design, music, theatre, dance, circus arts, literature, film and screen, multi-arts, new media etc.
Public outcomes
Activities must be designed with the intention of some form of public outcome – something visible to the public.
Public outcomes might include: workshops, classes, performances, public readings, screenings, parades, festivals, talks, exhibitions, demonstrations, installations, publications, events, radio broadcasts, podcasts, recordings, online presentation, recap, show-and-tell or similar.
The public outcome doesn’t need to be the full activity eg: an activity around script development or composing music might conclude with a short public reading or showing. An activity itself need not be ‘open to the public’ to have a public outcome eg: a workshop could be tailored to a targeted group of participants.
For applicants in the INDIVIDUAL category, given the maximum funding is $1000 each, we would not expect a large public outcome.
Not sure? When you call us to chat about your application idea we can talk though options.
Groups, collectives
For this application a group is two or more individuals working together on a activity or project. Groups may be legally constituted or an informal working collaboration. They may be an entity that exists long-term, or a project specific association. It is recommended that a group have at least a simple formal agreement between members. Note that Public Liability insurance is required, and this may influence what type of entity you apply as. See the FAQ section from more information.
Letter of support
A letter from any key partners or relevant supporters that outlines why they are enthused about your activity and/or can support it.
For this microgrants funding a letter of support can be a copy of an email (eg confirming their participation and contribution) rather than a formal letter.
In-kind support
In-kind support is non-cash contributions such as donated goods, time, services, venues or expenses.
I’m not in the Arts OutWest service area. Can I apply?
To be eligible, applicants must live permanently within the Arts OutWest service region of these local government areas: Bathurst Region, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Mid-Western Regional, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin.
If you are in another part of regional NSW please contact your local Regional Arts Development Organisations to find out about their small grants program, if available. Find your local RADO here.
What is an ‘activity with a public outcome’?
See definitions. We’re also happy to chat about this when you call/email to discuss your application.
Why do I need to discuss my application with Arts OutWest before applying? What will you ask me? When should I contact Arts OutWest?
We require all applicants to have a quick chat with one of our staff members to check that you/ your organisation and activity is eligible and that you understand the guidelines. We can also answer any questions you have about the guidelines, the application process or the online form. We’ve found this filters out ineligible activities before people spend time on an application and helps people put in better applications.
When you call or email us we’ll run through a checklist of things to make sure you are eligible and your application is on the right track.
We CAN NOT tell you how to do your application, but we can alert you to any areas of the guidelines you might need to consider. We might also be able to provide contacts for artists or other information that can help build your activity.
You don’t have to have the full activity worked out when you talk to us – you can call us with just a vague idea to start with then check in later when you have more worked out.
You can talk to us at any time in your application process, as many times as you need to.
How much funding is there for each funding stream (individuals and groups)?
The total funding pool is $12000
All applications will be assessed by the panel on the criteria with the top ranked applications, from either funding stream, funded.
This might mean lots or none from each stream, depending on the quality and suitability of the applications.
Can I apply as a business?
Yes, arts, creative and heritage focussed businesses can apply in the individuals or the groups categories.
Can I apply as an individual?
Yes, you can apply for up to $1000.
An individual artist working in a genuine partnership with another organisation or collective can apply in the $2500 groups stream. You will need to answer questions about this partnership in the application.
What is a ‘partnership’?
We encourage partnerships in the $2500 funding stream (although you can also apply simply as a single arts organisation, an not-for-profit, council etc).
A partnership is where both entities contribute and get value from the activity beyond a commercial transaction.
Partnerships are about extending your activity in a collaborative way.
The application form will ask what each partner brings to this activity.
Each partner will need to supply a letter of support attached to the application.
Ask yourself:
- Why are the entities planning to work together on this activity?
- Do the entities each get something out of the activity beyond payment or a commercial arrangement?
- Do the entities each bring something to the relationship such as time, resources, planning, or artistic collaboration?
- If the activity goes well, is there potential for future collaboration between these entities?
What is not a partnership?
- A transactional commercial relationship. Simply paying for services or materials,
eg: A venue hire where the venue charges for all costs and does not offer any in-kind support, contribute to the planning or the artistic collaboration.
In a collaboration or partnership, do all artists need to live in the Arts OutWest region?
The lead artist does need to live in the region but the activity can bring in people from elsewhere to collaborate, as long as the activity happens here.
Do you need to be in partnership to apply for the $2500 stream?
No, you can apply as a single arts organisation, an not-for-profit, etc
How much should I really apply for?
These are small grants, and the funding pool in this first 2026 round is very small.
Applicants are urged to cost their activities accurately, pay artists and arts workers appropriately and ask for what they need. Value for money will be a part of the assessment of the budget.
Please be aware that in the past the assessment panel has awarded part funding to some activities based on available funds or if budgets are not realistic.
I’m not sure how to do a budget?
We’ve made a budget template document in excel to outline what’s required. Budget Template Microgrant
Can my activity make a profit?
Yes. Such as ticket sales, sales of work etc. There is space in the budget in the application form to include income, expenses as well as in-kind support.
Do we need to have public liability insurance?
Yes, the applicant must have access to public liability insurance that covers the activity – whether you are applying as an organisation, business, group or individual. If you don’t have public liability cover at the time of applying you must arrange this prior to the funded activity commencing and provide it to Arts OutWest.
You may decide that as an individual or group it suits you better to work with an existing incorporated organisation or group and come under their cover. Low cost and short-term Public Liability cover for arts organisations, incorporated groups and individuals is available via Regional Arts NSW and other sources.
What is a letter of support?
A letter from any key partners or relevant supporters that outlines why they are enthused about your activity and/or can support it.
How much should I pay artists?
NAVA (the National Association for the Visual Arts) have a great Code of Practice which gives guides of payment rates for all kind of artist and arts worker roles.
Do I need a Working with Children Check?
If your activities involves working with children and young people, successful candidates will need to supply a current Working With Children Check Number – this is particularly for the artist being engaged or anyone who will be working closely with kids. We will also require Date Of Birth and Name in order to verify the WWCC.
How much should I pay artists?
NAVA (the National Association for the Visual Arts) have an extensive Code of Practice with rates for lots of different types of artist work and arts workers. Artist Fees (new work) — NAVA Code of Practice
When paying travel costs Arts OutWest uses the ATO travel rates. Cents per kilometre method | Australian Taxation Office
I’ve not applied for funding before, where do I start? Can I get help?
Microgrants are a great program for people or groups new to the world of funding. Compared to many bigger funding opportunities the form, time frame and process is simpler.
It’s a requirement for all applicants to discuss their activity idea with Arts OutWest before submitting an application (by phone, email or in person).
We’re running an online funding information session: Wed 1 April, 5.30-6.30pm
Missed the info session? Email us for the recorded version. artsoutwest@csu.edu.au
Call the staff at Arts OutWest if you are having any difficulties with the application process or the online form (don’t leave this to the last minute!)
Applying for funding and want some tips? We’ve listed some useful funding ‘how to’ resources on our website.
Projects with creative content or intended outcomes relating to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists, communities or activities.
If your project involves creative content or intended outcomes relating to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists, communities or activities, we ask you to provide at least one Letter of Support from relevant Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artists and/or communities OR the contact details of a referee.
Please follow this link to view Create NSW’s Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Protocols: Aboriginal Arts and Culture Protocols – Create NSW.
What kinds of activities have been funded in the past?
Whilst Arts OutWest Cultural Fund Microgrants is a new program, with new criteria, for ideas, take a look at activities funded through the previous Country Arts Support Program:
Here’s the list of projects funded by CASP in 2024
Here’s the list of projects funded by CASP in 2022
Here’s the list of projects funded by CASP in 2021
Read stories about past CASP funded projects here
Where is the funding coming from?
With the end of state government CASP in 2025, this new microgrants program has been supported by the Arts OutWest Cultural Fund, including more than $5000 in community donations. Keen to boost this funding? Donate here.
Plan the activity
Who, what, why, when, where, how.
Start with what you want the activity to achieve.
What … is the project. What will happen.
Why… is this needed, beneficial.
Who … are the artists, who will participate, who will benefit, who are partners or supporters and how will each be involved.
When… timeframe, how many activities.
Where… location.
How… will it happen. What are key steps, events or stages.
Work on your budget
What are your financial costs? What can you cover with in-kind support? How many volunteer hours? How much of the costs are covered by the AOWCF Microgrant? What funds / support comes from other sources? Is there any non-grants income (eg ticket sales)?
We recommend using industry rates for paying artists or arts workers, for example the payment standards in the NAVA Code of Practice Overview — NAVA Code of Practice
Here’s our ‘how to write a budget’ template.
Gather your supporting materials
You will need to upload supporting materials through the form. Support materials include Letters of Support, insurance certificate, and any visual, audio or written material that speaks to your activities’s goals and strengths.
Letters of support can take a while to get so give your supporters and partners plenty of notice.
Keep your wording clear
The assessment panel are real people and they may not know your organisation/or your background. They don’t want to read waffly ‘artspeak’ either. Be clear about what the grant is for, what the activity is aiming to do, why you’re undertaking this activity and how you will make it happen. Don’t forget to tell us why you think this genuinely is an exciting activity for your community. What is the need? And we recommend you have someone else proofread and check over your application before pressing the “Submit” button.
Get your application in on time
All applications must be submitted via the Arts OutWest Microgrants Application in Jotform by 5pm Monday 20 April 2026. Applications will not be accepted after that time.
Small grants supporting local arts activities with exciting creative outcomes.
Closing date: 5pm Monday 20 April 2026
Location: Open across the NSW Central West LGAs of Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Mid-Western Region, Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Weddin.
Funded by: Public donations to the Arts OutWest Cultural Fund with top up funds from Arts OutWest
Header image: Keila Terencio with a puppet at a 2025 puppetry workshop in Lithgow, funded by Arts OutWest’s previous devolved NSW Government small grants program, CASP. Photo: Carolyn Hyde.