SYDNEY.- Communities and audiences across the state will enjoy the exceptional calibre of homegrown creative talent with 51 NSW organisations funded to deliver diverse arts and cultural programming in the coming year.

Organisations located across the state will share in $7.4 million through the Annual Organisation Funding round, delivered as part of Create NSW’s Arts and Cultural Funding Program (ACFP).

The impact of these programs will be far-reaching, engaging artists, grassroots communities and audiences at large-scale events. Among the 51 diverse recipients are a First Nations program in the Riverina for youth to express themselves through dance and cultural connection; a multi-sensory art and music festival takeover of White Bay Power Station showcasing ambitious new works by NSW artists; and an annual artistic program including a Mardi Gras exhibition that provides emerging curator career-development opportunities.

Western Sydney-based We Are Studios Arts and Disability Inc. received funding to deliver a program of accessible professional skills development workshops in Blacktown for emerging artists with disability.

As employers of our state’s artists, creative leaders and cultural workers, these diverse not-for-profit organisations span every artform – First Nations arts and culture; community arts and cultural development; classical music/choral; dance and physical theatre, digital and experimental, immersive and light art; festivals; literature and writing; museums and history; theatre and musical theatre; and visual arts.

This transitional round of annual organisational funding bridges the gap as the program transitions to the new, simpler, fairer, faster Arts and Cultural Funding Program with longer-term Multi-year funding programs.

All eligible applications were assessed against published criteria and ranked in order of merit and impact by representative Artform assessment panels.

Karen Rodgers, Director Arts, Create NSW said: “This funding means 51 organisations employing artists, creative leaders and cultural workers will be supported in their important role of shaping our identity through arts and cultural experiences.

“The homegrown arts and cultural programs that will be developed, created and delivered have far-reaching impact, enriching every community, telling our stories and inspiring participants and audiences across NSW.

“Transitioning to the simpler, fairer, faster Arts and Cultural Funding Program is a key commitment of the Creative Communities policy and this investment helps to support a thriving and sustainable arts and cultural sector.”

Ebony Wightman, Artist & Co-Founder, We Are Studios said: "This funding marks a powerful shift towards genuine agency and creative control for d/Deaf and Disabled artists, backed by Create NSW. As a 100% disability-led organisation, We Are Studios embodies the intersectionality of Western Sydney, driving a radical change in the arts and cultural sector by artists with disability for artists with disability".