Applications open for Blacktown City Creative Arts Fund

Grant opportunities for local artists, artist groups, creatives, and community organisations

The Blacktown City Creative Arts Fund is now open and accepting applications from local artists, artist groups, and incorporated community organisations until 13 April 2023. Grants of up to $5000 are available to support the creation of new work as well as professional and skills development.

The Mayor of Blacktown City, Tony Bleasdale OAM said ‘Culture is the lifeblood of our city and it should be a part of everyone’s daily life. Our City is proud to celebrate the excellence and diversity of artists and our creative communities. The Creative Arts Fund supports artists and organisations to successfully develop and manage their own art and cultural projects. I look forward to seeing the creativity of our local artists come to life.’ established in 2015, the Creative Arts Fund has supported hundreds of artists and organisations in Blacktown City.

The fund facilitates new works across a range of media and enriches cultural life in the local area.

Aiming to build artistic capacity, and to develop social connections between artists and communities, the Fund also encourages artists to explore partnerships as opportunities for knowledge-sharing and collaboration with community.

Grants are available to local artists at any stage of their career working across a wide range of media, including:

• Performance

• Music

• Film

• Digital arts

• Multi-arts

• Dance

• Literature, and Photography

We also encourage applications supporting professional development for artists and small organisations. Previous successful applications to the Creative Arts Fund, for example, have supported music development, children’s books, a digital web series for children, exhibition projects, and mentorship sessions with practicing artists.

Applications are assessed on a number of criteria, including the originality of the project, the clarity of the project description, the benefit of the work to the Blacktown community, and the quality of any proposed community engagement.

We are delighted to share that 2023 marks the first round of a streamlined application process.

Written guidelines for applicants, including further information on eligibility and selection criteria, are also available through the Blacktown Arts website https://blacktownarts. com.au/2023-creativearts-fund/