Create NSW has announced Round 1 of its 2021/22 Arts and Cultural Funding Program, with $9.37 million shared amongst 198 recipients, which the NSW government claims will “deliver record arts and cultural activity across NSW”.

“NSW audiences, artists and creatives are set to benefit from the funding announced today, including 44 per cent going to projects in regional NSW and Western Sydney,” said Minister for the Arts Don Harwin.

Don Harwin, NSW Minister for the Arts

Under the changes to Create NSW funding announced in mid-2019, Create NSW funding now comes in two large rounds of funding, rather than the 14 individual funding rounds that were the hallmark of the previous system. 10 Artform Assessment Boards now assess applications made to the Arts and Cultural Funding Program and provide recommendations to the Minister – who has the final say on any funding decisions – and advise on strategic directions for the sector.

While this restructure was criticised for a lack of transparency when first announced, the potential to consider funding applications in the broader context of the industry’s strategic needs was highlighted...