Apply now for Magnetic Places Grant (Australia)

Deadline: 31-Jul-2026

The Magnetic Places Grant provides funding of up to AUD 15,000 to artists, creative organisations, and community groups delivering free, community-engaged arts projects across designated neighbourhoods in the Penrith Local Government Area (LGA). With a total funding pool of AUD 50,000, the program supports creative initiatives that celebrate local stories, activate public spaces, strengthen community connections, and increase participation in arts and culture.

Magnetic Places Grant

The Magnetic Places Grant is a community arts funding program delivered by Penrith City Council to support creative projects that transform public spaces and strengthen community identity through arts and culture. The program encourages artists, creative organisations, and community groups to collaborate with local communities in developing projects that celebrate local stories, encourage creative participation, and create vibrant public spaces.

Funded projects must be completed within 12 months of signing the funding agreement and be delivered free of charge for community participants.

Focus Areas

The program supports projects that:

• Celebrate local stories through community-created art
• Increase participation in arts and cultural activities
• Encourage creative expression
• Strengthen community connections
• Activate and transform public spaces
• Promote place-based creative engagement
• Foster collaboration between artists and local communities
• Support access, inclusion, and equity
• Celebrate First Nations culture, heritage, and storytelling
• Create positive community experiences through the arts

Grant Amount

• Maximum grant per project: Up to AUD 15,000 (excluding GST)
• Total funding available: AUD 50,000

Program Objectives

The Magnetic Places Grant aims to:

• Support community-engaged creative practice.
• Celebrate local identity and storytelling.
• Increase participation in arts and culture.
• Animate public spaces through creative projects.
• Foster stronger neighbourhood connections.
• Encourage collaboration between artists and communities.
• Promote inclusive and accessible cultural experiences.
• Support First Nations artists, organisations, and cultural initiatives.

Eligible Activities

Funding may support:

• Community-engaged visual arts projects
• Public art initiatives
• Sculpture and installation projects
• Performance art
• Digital media projects
• Community storytelling initiatives
• Creative workshops
• Place-based arts collaborations
• Community activation events
• Creative activities in public spaces
• Cross-disciplinary arts projects

Projects must:

• Be free for public participation.
• Be community-engaged.
• Be delivered within the approved funding period.
• Take place within one or more designated key neighbourhoods.

Eligible Locations

Projects must be delivered within the following Penrith Local Government Area neighbourhoods:

• Cambridge Park
• Colyton
• Cranebrook
• Kingswood
• Kingswood Park
• Llandilo
• Londonderry
• North St Marys
• Oxley Park
• Penrith
• St Marys
• Werrington

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Professional artists with an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• Creative practitioners
• Creative entities
• Incorporated community organisations
• Incorporated creative organisations
• Incorporated groups and collectives
• Unincorporated groups or collectives with an incorporated auspice organisation holding an ABN

Local artists are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants must:

• Obtain all required licences, permits, approvals, and insurance.
• Enter into a funding agreement with Penrith City Council if successful.
• Acknowledge the Magnetic Places Grant in promotional materials.
• Host a completion event or community gathering where appropriate.
• Submit a final acquittal report after project completion.
• Obtain written Council approval before making significant project changes.

Who is Not Eligible?

Funding cannot be used for:

• Activities already completed before funding approval
• Ongoing organisational operating costs
• Existing Penrith City Council programs
• Projects previously funded through the Community Funding Program
• Activities that cannot be completed within 12 months

Why This Grant Matters

Creative placemaking strengthens neighbourhood identity, encourages community participation, and transforms public spaces into welcoming places where people connect.

The Magnetic Places Grant helps communities:

• Celebrate local culture and identity.
• Increase participation in creative activities.
• Build stronger neighbourhood connections.
• Support local artists.
• Create vibrant public spaces.
• Promote cultural inclusion.
• Showcase First Nations stories and traditions.
• Improve community wellbeing through creative engagement.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to prepare your application:

1. Confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements.
2. Develop a community-engaged creative project aligned with the program objectives.
3. Identify the eligible neighbourhood where the activity will take place.
4. Prepare a detailed project plan, timeline, and budget.
5. Demonstrate meaningful community participation and collaboration.
6. Ensure required insurance, licences, and approvals can be obtained.
7. Submit the completed application before the closing date.
8. If successful, sign the funding agreement with Penrith City Council.
9. Deliver the project within 12 months.
10. Host a completion event where appropriate and submit the required acquittal report.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Demonstrate strong community involvement.
• Explain how local stories will be celebrated.
• Show meaningful collaboration with residents.
• Present a realistic implementation plan.
• Include measurable community outcomes.
• Demonstrate accessibility and inclusion.
• Highlight benefits for the local neighbourhood.
• Provide a clear and transparent budget.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing projects outside the eligible neighbourhoods.
• Charging participants to attend funded activities.
• Submitting incomplete applications.
• Requesting funding for completed projects.
• Failing to demonstrate community engagement.
• Omitting required approvals or insurance.
• Requesting funding for ongoing operational costs.
• Making significant project changes without Council approval.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Magnetic Places Grant?

Professional artists, creative practitioners, incorporated organisations, collectives, community groups, and eligible unincorporated groups with an incorporated auspice organisation holding an ABN.

How much funding is available?

Applicants may request up to AUD 15,000 per project, with a total program budget of AUD 50,000.

What kinds of projects are eligible?

The program supports community-engaged visual arts, performance, sculpture, installations, digital media, creative workshops, storytelling projects, public art, and other creative activities that activate public spaces.

Where must projects be delivered?

Projects must take place within one or more designated neighbourhoods in the Penrith Local Government Area, including Penrith, St Marys, Cranebrook, Kingswood, Werrington, Cambridge Park, Colyton, Kingswood Park, Llandilo, Londonderry, North St Marys, or Oxley Park.

Must activities be free?

Yes. All funded activities must be free for community participation.

How long do projects have to be completed?

Projects must be completed within 12 months of signing the funding agreement.

Are First Nations projects encouraged?

Yes. The program strongly encourages applications from First Nations artists, organisations, collectives, and projects that celebrate First Nations people, culture, heritage, and storytelling.

Conclusion

The Magnetic Places Grant provides significant support for artists, creative organisations, and community groups delivering inclusive, community-led arts projects across the Penrith Local Government Area. With grants of up to AUD 15,000, the program helps transform public spaces, celebrate local stories, strengthen neighbourhood connections, and expand access to arts and culture while fostering creativity, inclusion, and community participation.

For more information, visit Penrith City Council.