Current Grants and Opportunities
Here is a list of all the grants, prizes and opportunities available to artists in far west NSW that we currently know of.
Reach out and book in a session if you’d like help finding out more or getting a submission together.
CLOSING APRIL 2025
REGIONAL EVENT FUND
CLOSING: APRIL 6TH / DEC 31ST
Applications are now open for the 2025/26 Regional Event Fund, supporting regional NSW events that foster community engagement and tourism. Managed by Destination NSW, the fund offers three streams: the Incubator Event Stream (up to $20,000 for new events in their first or second year), the Flagship Event Stream (up to $20,000 for events running for 2+ years, or $30,000 over three years for long-term growth), and the Event Development Stream (up to $50,000 for established events expanding further).
Deadlines: Incubator & Flagship Streams close 6 April 2025; Event Development Stream closes 31 December 2025.
Learn more and apply: NSW Government Regional Event Fund.
OUTBACK THEATRE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE EOIS
CLOSING: APRIL 7TH
Outback Theatre for Young People is calling on artists and creatives to submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) to work with them in 2025 & 2026.
If you are a creative that has a passion for working with young people in regional and remote NSW, then Outback Theatre for Young People would love to hear about you and your practice.
Find out more and submit your EoI.
REGIONAL TOURING OPPORTUNITY
CLOSING: APRIL 9TH
MusicNSW is seeking regional NSW-based artists who perform original contemporary music and are interested in touring in 2025, with five unique regional tours available. Selected acts will gain touring experience, receive financial support, and participate in tailored opportunities to grow their audience and skills.
Learn more and apply here.
VENUE UPGRADE GRANTS PROGRAM
CLOSING: April 14th 2025
Grants of up to $250,000 are available for dedicated live music venues to support venue upgrades that enhance audience and visitor experience. Funding will support the purchase of equipment and a range of infrastructure development works. Applicants must co-contribute at least 30% of the of the overall project budget (this can include cash and in-kind contributions).
Learn more and apply here.
CLOSING MAY 2025
2025 ABR ELIZABETH JOLLEY SHORT STORY PRIZE
CLOSES: MAY 5TH
Australian Book Review welcomes original short stories for the annual prize worth a total of $12,500. The Prize is open to all writers writing in English, with stories of between 2000 and 5000 words on any subject and in any style.
Learn more and apply.
MAKE AWARD
CLOSES: MAY 5TH
The MAKE AWARD is free to enter and is open to designer/makers working across all related disciplines including ceramics, glass, furniture/ woodwork, metalwork, textiles and fibre, and jewellery.
The winner of the MAKE Award will receive a cash prize of $35,000 with a second prize of $10,000, making it the richest non-acquisitive prize for craft and design in Australia.
More info and apply.
QANTAS REGIONAL GRANTS
CLOSNG: MAY 10th 2025
Project funding for individuals, groups or not-for-profit orgs to contribute positively to their regional community. They must demonstrate a measurable socioeconomic impact.
Learn more here.
SUNSHINE COAST NATIONAL ART PRIZE
CLOSING MAY 11TH
Entries for the Sunshine Coast National Art Prize are open, inviting Australian contemporary artists working in any 2D or new media format to compete for a prize pool of over $35,000. Forty finalists will be exhibited at Caloundra Regional Gallery from 15 August to 12 October 2025, with winners—including the Major Prize, Highly Commended, and Artist Residency recipients—announced on Thursday 25 September 2025. The People’s Choice Award will be determined by public vote. Entries close 11 May 2025, and finalists will be notified by 6 June 2025.
OLIVE COTTON AWARD FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAITURE
CLOSING MAY 31st 2025
The Olive Cotton Award is a $20,000 biennial national award for excellence in photographic portraiture in memory of photographer Olive Cotton. Entries open 25 February.
Learn more and apply here.
ONGOING
REGIONAL ARTS FUND QUICK GRANTS
Regional Arts Fund Quick Response Grants: Up to $3,000 for individuals or $5,000 for organisations. Open to regional artists, arts organisations and communities to take up professional or skills development opportunities, or respond to small project opportunities that arise at short notice. Delivered monthly from February to November.
Up to $2,500 per person for domestic activity and up to $5,000 per person for international activity
This quick response funding program is designed for domestic and international touring and travel activity for NSW contemporary music artists, acts and music industry professionals.
Open until November 2025
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