Request for Applications: Country Arts Support Program 2026 (Australia)

The Country Arts Support Program (CASP) provides grants of up to $3,000 to support community-led arts and cultural projects in eligible regional areas of New South Wales. The program helps local organisations, councils, and community groups increase arts participation, support professional artists, celebrate cultural identity, and strengthen regional creative communities.

The funding supports projects that create social, cultural, and economic benefits through creative activities, artist engagement, community participation, and cultural expression.

Country Arts Support Program (CASP) Overview

The Country Arts Support Program is a community arts funding initiative designed to strengthen regional arts and cultural development. It supports locally driven projects that provide opportunities for communities to participate in creative activities and engage with professional artists.

CASP focuses on improving access to arts experiences in regional communities while supporting cultural diversity, community identity, and the long-term sustainability of local arts organisations.

The program provides small-scale project funding rather than ongoing organisational support.

Key Details of the Country Arts Support Program

• Funding amount: Up to $3,000 per successful project
• Funding type: Competitive project grants
• Purpose: Community arts and cultural activities
• Eligible locations: Selected regional NSW local government areas within the Arts North West service area
• Primary beneficiaries: Community groups, regional artists, cultural organisations, and local communities
• Main funding focus: Professional artist involvement and community participation

Why the Country Arts Support Program Matters

Regional communities often face barriers in accessing arts opportunities, creative training, and cultural programs. CASP helps address these challenges by supporting projects that bring professional artists and creative activities into local communities.

The program contributes to:

• Increased participation in arts and cultural activities
• Greater recognition of regional cultural identities
• Stronger community connections through creativity
• Improved access to professional artists
• Local employment and training opportunities
• Greater appreciation of cultural diversity
• More resilient regional arts organisations

Program Objectives

CASP supports projects that achieve one or more of the following objectives:

• Assist locally developed community arts and cultural activities
• Increase opportunities for regional communities to access diverse arts programs
• Enable communities to explore and express cultural identities
• Create social and economic benefits through creative activities
• Support training, employment, and promotional opportunities
• Increase awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity
• Strengthen sustainability and resilience of regional arts organisations

Who Is Eligible?

The Country Arts Support Program is open to eligible organisations and groups that can deliver community arts projects in approved regional NSW locations.

Eligible applicants include:

• Not-for-profit incorporated organisations
• Local government authorities
• Registered businesses involved in eligible arts activities
• Community collectives with a nominated administering organisation

Applicants must:

• Hold current Broadform Liability or Public Liability Insurance
• Discuss their project with the relevant regional arts development organisation
• Deliver projects within eligible local government areas
• Demonstrate community benefit through arts participation

Eligible Local Government Areas

Projects must be based within the Arts North West service region, including:

• Armidale Regional Council
• Glen Innes Severn Council
• Gunnedah Shire Council
• Gwydir Shire Council
• Liverpool Plains Shire Council
• Moree Plains Shire Council
• Narrabri Shire Council
• Tamworth Regional Council
• Tenterfield Shire Council
• Uralla Council
• Walcha Council

What Projects Can Receive Support?

CASP supports community-based arts and cultural projects that involve professional creative practitioners.

Examples of supported activities may include:

• Community art workshops
• Cultural storytelling projects
• Creative learning activities
• Community performances
• Arts-based engagement programs
• Cultural expression projects
• Collaborative projects involving professional artists

The program is especially focused on supporting direct project delivery costs.

Eligible Expenses

Grant funding may support costs directly connected to delivering community arts activities.

Eligible costs may include:

• Professional artist fees
• Artist travel expenses
• Artist accommodation costs
• Costs associated with delivering community arts activities

Applicants should ensure that budgets clearly demonstrate how funding will contribute to project outcomes.

Funding Limitations

CASP funding:

• Provides up to $3,000 per project
• Supports specific community arts activities
• Does not provide ongoing operational funding
• Is awarded through a competitive assessment process

The program is not designed to cover general organisational running costs.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The following applicants and projects are not eligible:

• Individuals applying independently
• Organisations based in Sydney or the Blue Mountains
• Projects delivered outside the Arts North West service area
• Interstate organisations or groups
• Unincorporated groups without an administering organisation
• Organisations with active or overdue Arts North West funding agreements
• Applicants seeking funding for activities already funded or submitted under another application

How to Apply for the Country Arts Support Program

Applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1: Develop a Community Arts Project Idea

Applicants should create a project that:

• Addresses a local community need
• Encourages arts participation
• Includes meaningful community involvement
• Supports cultural expression
• Provides clear benefits for regional communities

Step 2: Confirm Eligibility

Before applying, applicants should confirm:

• Their organisation type meets eligibility requirements
• The project location is within an eligible council area
• Insurance requirements are met
• The project has not already received funding elsewhere

Step 3: Consult the Regional Arts Organisation

Applicants must discuss their project with the relevant regional arts development organisation before submission.

This helps ensure the proposal aligns with regional arts priorities.

Step 4: Prepare the Application

Applicants should include:

• Project description
• Community benefits
• Expected outcomes
• Budget details
• Artist involvement information
• Timeline and delivery plan

Step 5: Submit the Grant Application

Applications must be submitted according to the CASP application process before the deadline.

Tips for a Strong CASP Application

Applicants can improve their chances by:

• Clearly explaining community impact
• Demonstrating local participation
• Including professional artist involvement
• Providing a realistic project budget
• Showing cultural and social benefits
• Explaining how the project supports regional communities
• Describing measurable outcomes

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying without confirming eligibility
• Requesting funding for general operational expenses
• Submitting incomplete budgets
• Failing to explain community benefits
• Applying for projects already funded through another source
• Ignoring insurance requirements

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Country Arts Support Program?

The Country Arts Support Program (CASP) is a grant program that funds community-led arts and cultural projects in eligible regional NSW communities.

How much funding can applicants receive?

Successful applicants can receive up to $3,000 for eligible community arts projects.

Can individuals apply for CASP funding?

No. Individuals are not eligible to apply directly. Applications must come from eligible organisations, councils, or collectives with an administering body.

What types of projects does CASP support?

CASP supports community arts and cultural projects involving activities such as workshops, performances, cultural programs, and creative engagement initiatives.

Can funding support professional artists?

Yes. Supporting professional artist participation is a major focus of CASP funding, including artist fees, travel, and accommodation costs.

Does CASP provide ongoing organisational funding?

No. CASP provides project-based funding and does not support ongoing operational expenses.

Do applicants need insurance?

Yes. Applicants must have current Broadform Liability or Public Liability Insurance.

Conclusion

The Country Arts Support Program provides valuable funding for regional NSW communities to develop creative projects, engage professional artists, and strengthen local cultural participation. By supporting community-led arts initiatives, CASP helps build stronger, more inclusive, and culturally vibrant communities across regional areas.