APRA AMCOS & More Call Out Government Following Poorest Funding Round In History

Some of NSW's leading arts organisations such as APRA AMCOS, MusicNSW and Sydney Fringe Festival have called out the state government following the poorest funding round in history. 

The second round of the Create NSW Arts & Cultural Projects fund had a success rate of just 2.7%; while 222 applications were made to the fund with a combined total of $8,296,017, just six projects were funded to a total of $256,029.

The news comes despite NSW accounting for 70% of Australia's creative exports and 42% of Australia's creative industries employment, according to an independent PWC analysis.

"With such low funding and so few successful projects across the state, artists will begin exercising the choice to base themselves elsewhere," a joint letter issued by arts organisations reads.

"With only one regional project funded, the viability of artistic practice and touring beyond our cities is also a major concern. Create NSW’s $100m Regional Cultural Fund invests in infrastructure, and we urge the NSW Government to make similarly ambitious investment in the creation and presentation of new work in our regions."

The letter concludes, "NSW Minister for the Arts Don Harwin shares our passion for the arts and understands how essential the sector is to the vision that powers this state. As the Minister leads the development of NSW’s next arts policy, it will be vital that his parliamentary colleagues support him in committing to the arts ambitiously.

"With the state election approaching, we call upon all parties to present their vision for a NSW whose artistic courage leads the nation and inspires the world."

See a list of all the organisations calling for more funding below.

4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art

Accessible Arts

ACE Open

APRA AMCOS

Art Pharmacy Consulting

The Arts Centre Cootamundra

Arts North West

Arts Northern Rivers

Arts on Tour

Arts Out West

Artspace

Australian Design Centre

Australian Society of Authors

Australian Theatre for Young People

Bondi Acting

Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative

Casula Powerhouse

Cementa inc.

Centre for Contemporary Photography

Contemporary Art Organisations Australia

Contemporary Art Tasmania

Critical Stages

Culture Scouts Walking Tours

Eastern Riverina Arts

Eastside Radio 89.7FM

Electronic Music Conference

FBi Radio

Firstdraft

Gertrude Contemporary

Global Rhythms Music Festival

Indigenous Art Code

Institute of Modern Art

Legs On The Wall 

The Lock-Up

Merrigong Theatre Company

Monkey Baa Theatre Company

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia 

MusicNSW

National Association for the Visual Arts

NORPA

NSW & ACT Performing Arts Centres Association 

Outback Theatre for Young People 

PACT

Performance Space

Playwriting Australia

Regional and Public Galleries NSW

Regional Arts NSW

Seymour Centre

Sydney Fringe Festival

Sydney Improvised Music Association 

Theatre Network NSW

Tortuga Studios Inc.

Urban Theatre Projects

Wellington Street Projects 

Western Riverina Arts

West Space

The Wired Lab