Country Arts Support Program

Overview

The Country Arts Support Program (CASP) is an annual small grants program funded by Create NSW and managed by Regional Arts Development Organisations (RADOs) and is guided by Create NSW’s Arts and Cultural Funding Program’s three major objectives:

• Grow creative leadership and programming excellence in NSW
• Strengthen NSW arts and cultural activity that drives community and social benefits
• Showcase NSW as a leader for strategic arts and cultural governance and strong financial management.

Objective

Support community arts and cultural development in regional NSW through small grants that:

• Assist locally determined community arts and cultural activities
• Increase opportunities for regionally based groups to access a diverse range of arts programs
• Enable communities to explore and express their cultural identities
• Bring social and economic benefits to the community through training, employment and promotional opportunities
• Lead to greater awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity
• Increase the sustainability and resilience of regionally based community arts organisations

Eligibility

Who can apply?

• A not-for-profit incorporated body
• A local government authority
• An individual or sole trader with an ABN
• A collective with a nominated administering/auspicing body (see further details regarding auspicing body below
• Applicants are required to have a current certificate of currency for Broadform Liability or ‘Public Liability’ Insurance. In the case of individual or group applicants, each individual/sole trader involved/paid as part of the funding, will need to hold and show proof of their own ‘Public Liability’ Insurance.

Who is NOT eligible to apply?

• Individuals and Groups based in Sydney and the Blue Mountains, or for projects based in those areas
• Interstate organisations (As a Border region, consideration will be made but all outcomes will need to be NSW based/focused)
• Professional touring groups
• Commercial enterprises
• Groups/ensembles and unincorporated associations with no administering body
• Regional Conservatoriums
• Organisations that have applied for or received Create NSW funding for the same activity
• Previous recipients where the use of the grant did not, in the opinion of the CASP state assessment panel, conform to the spirit and intentions of these guidelines
• State and federal government departments, including schools (except P&Cs who are incorporated)
• Organisations that have overdue reports or acquittals for any funding programs administered by RANSW and/or Create NSW
• Applicants who have not discussed their project with a Murray Arts Staff member

Funding range

Grants of between $500 and $5,000 are available primarily for professional artists’ fees, travel and accommodation.

Eligible activities

Projects including but not limited to:

• Workshops
• Arts activities as part of community festivals or events
• Artist-in-residence programs
• Public art and design projects
• Performances
• Arts and cultural directories
• Community seminars and forums
• Exhibitions
• Other local arts initiatives

CASP will not fund

• Core administrative costs, office costs or the purchase of equipment
• Capital expenses
• Production costs of films, videos, books or other publications
• Competitions
• Fundraising events
• Prizes and adjudication fees
• Applicants who have already received Create NSW funding for the same activities
• General operating expenses or ongoing costs of long-term continuous projects
• Projects that have commenced or are completed
• Non arts-related activities
• Activities which could be considered part of the curriculum for schools or tertiary institutions

Administrator or Auspicing Body

When applying for a grant, majority of funding bodies require the applicant to be a legal entity (such as an Incorporated Organisation) or to have an Administrator or Auspicing body. This is to ensure there is some protection in that any grant money is spent in line with the successful application. There is often too much risk for a funding body to deposit funds into someone’s personal bank account. By giving the funds to a legal entity that has audited financial statements, they can be sure the funds aren’t misused.

For the 2025 CASP Murray Arts round non-incorporated groups/collectives will be required to have an Administrator or Auspicing body. Don’t hesitate to contact the Murray Arts Team, as we can help brainstorm out who could be the best Administrator or Auspicing Body for your project and it is worth noting that majority of Administrators or Auspicing Bodies will charge a fee for this service, generally between 5-10% of the total grant money and this will need to be factored into your budget. Note: Murray Arts is an Auspicing Body and can Auspice CASP applications.