$2.5m for creativity, culture and communities
City of Sydney
More than 60 local businesses, creatives and cultural organisations will benefit from more than $2.5 million in cash, value in kind and rental subsidies in the City of Sydney’s latest grants program.
The funding will help support projects that boost vital community services, elevate Sydney’s creativity, stimulate the local economy and strengthen neighbourhood connections.
Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO said diversity, innovation and sustainability are at the core of the investment.
“Our grants will support a wide range of efforts, from free community festivals, public art installations and educational workshops to small business programs and targeted support for vulnerable residents,” the Lord Mayor said.
“So far this financial year, the City of Sydney has provided more than $21.5 million in cash and value in kind support through our various grants programs.
“In this latest round, I’m particularly proud of the opportunities we’ve been able to offer our cultural and creative communities.
“Affordable space for this sector is extremely hard to come by in Sydney, and the few spaces that exist can be far too costly for artists.
“Through our accommodation grants, we’re providing 6 tenancies with a 100% rental subsidy for up to 5 years, valued at more than $1.26 million.”
The tenants will set up shop in the heart of Green Square’s creative community precinct, at the Joynton Avenue Creative Centre (JACC) and Banga Community Shed, including First Nations-led creative hub, The Goodways Project run by Soul Reign.
The Goodways Project will offer cultural workshops, provide mentorship and leadership development for First Nations people, and host culturally safe gatherings that foster belonging and wellbeing.
“Thanks to the City of Sydney’s accommodation grant, we’ll be able to set up a creative space within the Banga Community Shed that will allow for cultural learning and community connection,” Soul Reign director Lyle Ah Sam said.
“Our programs aim to assist First Nations creatives to develop skills in design, branding and small business, and support youth-led efforts, amplifying young voices and building community pride.”
More than $468,000 in cash and in-kind cultural grants will help 23 organisations and individuals produce events and programs that serve local communities, including Sydney Symphony Orchestra concerts at Sydney Town Hall, the Sydney St Patrick's Day Parade and Festival, the Mardi Gras Film Festival and the King Street Crawl Contemporary Music Festival in Newtown.
Under the innovation and ideas program, almost $315,000 will be shared among 10 recipients. The funding will help foster new thinking and drive solutions to help address social, cultural, sustainable and economic challenges through projects such as a wellbeing program to help artists tackle burnout in the creative sector and a startup incubator to help young entrepreneurs develop and grow their business ideas.
Nearly $228,000 has been allocated to 5 projects and support programs to help with the supply of affordable, healthy, safe and culturally appropriate food and services across the local area.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collaboration fund will provide more than $34,000 to support 2 Indigenous-led projects to bring the community together for learning, celebration and connection to Country.
A total of 18 grants in the green building program have also received more than $203,000 in cash, including supporting 10 city centre hotels to improve their environmental performance and identify opportunities to reduce energy use.
The next round of the City of Sydney’s grants and sponsorships program opens in February 2026.
For more information, go to https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/grants-sponsorships
Media contact Elaine Kelly. Phone 0477 362 550 or email [email protected]
For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, contact [email protected]
For more stories, visit City of Sydney News
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