Eligible applicants include individuals, groups, or organisations (for-profit or not-for-profit). To be eligible for funding, applicants must:

• be an artist/creative, a small to medium arts/creative organisation or business located in the Northern Beaches LGA (please see the exceptions to this requirement listed below)
• be aged over 18 years and be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident
• have no outstanding acquittals or debts owed to Council
• undertake and complete the proposed project between 1 November 2025 and 31 December 2026.

Exceptions

Where an:

• applicant is not located on the Northern Beaches LGA
• project is presented online 
• project is for creative development without a public outcome

and meets all the other eligibility criteria, they will be considered eligible if the applicant can demonstrate tangible connection to and / or benefits for the Northern Beaches.

Where an:

• applicant is not an arts/creative community group or business

and meets all the other eligibility criteria, they will be considered eligible if the applicant can demonstrate a tangible benefit to the Northern Beaches creative sector. 

Organisations

For-profit organisations are encouraged to make a financial contribution to their project and collaborate with a local community group or nonprofit organisation in its delivery.

Ineligible applicants include

• State government organisations 
• political parties
• non-arts individuals, groups, businesses, or organisations
• large arts/creative organisations.

General exclusions 

The program does not fund:

• projects that have already occurred (no retrospective funding)
• projects already funded by another Northern Beaches Council grant program
• operational expenses, such as rent, ongoing staff wages, insurance, utilities, day-to-day general office supplies not directly related to the project
• built infrastructure proposals which require development consent
• capital works, facility maintenance or improvements
• travel or accommodation expenses.

Please note: 

• Council does not provide fee waivers or free use for hall or reserve/field hire, street closures, or cleaning and waste service for events - these costs must be included in the application budget
• applicants cannot submit the same project to two different Council grants programs
• only one application per applicant will be considered)
• access is not available to Council’s in-house design, printing, and distribution services.

Independent Projects 

Up to $5,000 (excl. GST)

For independent artists, groups, and creative workers. This includes arts and creative workers with a demonstrated history of professional arts practice working across a range of established and emerging art forms and disciplines.
To support the production and presentation of new work, and/or professional development. 

Community & Creative Sector Projects  

Up to $10,000 (excl. GST)

For local arts businesses, community groups, and other organisations. Independent artists, groups, and creative workers may apply for this category if partnering with an organisation or community group (if you’re unsure, please contact us).

Applicants may be investigating new ideas/designs or concepts, establishing new ventures, or developing projects to grow the creative industries and support sector sustainability. Projects which provide greater access to the arts for the local community are highly regarded.

To support arts and creative projects including cultural development opportunities for the community, artist residencies, community workshops/activities, and scaled public programs or activities. 

Types of projects funded: 

• Temporary / ephemeral artworks or urban interventions in public space
• Production and presentation of new work across all artforms incl. music, literature, film, audio, visual art, performance
• Incubation of new creative, arts and design-based organisations
• Face to face and / or digital creative programs and initiatives
• Exhibitions, performances, arts and cultural events, artistic programs, and collaborations
• Cultural development opportunities for the local community

See below to view previously funded projects.

Applications will be assessed against the funding objectives and the following criteria:

Independent Projects:

1. Rationale and Impact

• Demonstrated value of the project in contributing to production of new work, creative opportunities and/or creative innovation 
• Alignment with Council's strategies and objectives with measurable outcomes demonstrating creative growth and/or community engagement 

2. Connection and Development

• Building Connections within the creative community, fostering creative exchange and/or enhancing the reach of the project
• Development of professional practice and skills, demonstrating a clear pathway for growth and future opportunities

3. Experience and Capacity

• Relevant experience and skills of the applicant, including evidence of appropriate consultation if required**
• Demonstrated capacity to manage and deliver the project.

4. Viability

• Demonstrates value for money with a realistic budget, with a funding model appropriate to the scope of the project
• Evidence of adequate planning with a clear timeline

** This includes evidence of appropriate cultural permissions and adherence to relevant cultural protocols. For example, if you are working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, or engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories or content. Helpful resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols can be found on our website.

Community and Creative Sector Projects:

1. Rationale and Impact

• Demonstrated value of the project/initiative in fostering community engagement, cultural development, accessibility to the arts, and/or sector sustainability in the Northern Beaches
• Alignment with Council's strategies and objectives, with measurable outcomes benefiting the local community and/or creative sector

2. Connection and Development

• Building connections within the creative community, providing opportunities for local creative workers and/or practitioners
• Enhancing access to the arts through engagement with the community and/or professional sector 

3. Experience and Capacity

• Relevant experience and skills of the applicant and collaborators, including evidence of appropriate consultation if required** 
• Demonstrated history of delivering high-quality arts and creative projects of a relevant scale. 

4. Viability

• Demonstrates value for money with a realistic budget, showing a funding model appropriate to the scope of the project
• Evidence of adequate planning with a clear timeline

** This includes evidence of appropriate cultural permissions and adherence to relevant cultural protocols. For example, if you are working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, or engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories or content. Helpful resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols can be found on our website. 

To be highly regarded, projects should align with one of more of the following objectives identified in Council’s Arts and Creativity Strategy, Connected Through Creativity 2029.

1. foster innovation and contribute to the growth of the local arts and creative sector through collaboration and partnerships
2. connect with and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and cultures
3. develop the skills of local creative professionals and arts workers across all arts disciplines
4. increase access and community participation in arts, culture, and creativity
5. animate public spaces with creative initiatives, including in unexpected and unique urban environments
6. tell diverse stories authentic to the Northern Beaches
7. explore opportunities to increase representation of community diversity in the public domain, including people with disabilities, and culturally and linguistically diverse and LGBTQIA+ communities.