Create NSW has launched its new First Nations Cultural Tourism Creativity Fund, designed to boost the number and diversity of First Nations-led creative arts and cultural experiences for visitors across NSW. The initiative also aims to strengthen First Nations’ connection with tourism markets and grow First Nations participation and capacity in the NSW visitor economy.
The program is open to First Nations artists and creative practitioners, First Nations-led organisations and businesses with cultural tourism experiences spanning arts, culture, storytelling, heritage, food and the creative industries.
Early-stage arts, cultural and tourism projects can apply for development funding of up to $50,000, while market-ready projects looking to grow can apply for up to $100,000.
The new program has been backed by investment totalling $400,000, co-funded by Create NSW and the Australian Government through its Strategic Indigenous Tourism Projects program. It is one of several initiatives within the $3.6 million NSW Aboriginal Visitor Experience Accelerator – a cross-government collaboration led by Destination NSW to empower First Nations communities to uplift Aboriginal cultural tourism across NSW.
The program aims to increase the number of thriving First Nations-led cultural and creative tourism enterprises delivering powerful and unmissable arts and cultural experiences for both local audiences and visitors to NSW.
The initiative delivers on key commitments outlined in the NSW Government’s Heartland: a plan for regional NSW arts, culture and creative industries 2026–2035 and aligns with the Australian Government’s 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy – THRIVE which identifies First Nations tourism experiences as a key area of growth.
Applications for 2026-27 First Nations Cultural Tourism Creativity Fund are open until 12 November 2026. Funding is available across two streams:
•‘Develop’ – Tier 1: $20,000 to $50,000 to support early-stage arts, cultural and tourism projects
•‘Grow’ – Tier 2: $50,001 to $100,000 to support projects ready to expand, launch or scale
For all the details please visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/2026-27-first-nations-cultural-tourism-creativity-fund
Supplied Image: Broken Hill-based artist Barkindji artist David Doyle in his workshop Image: Destination NSW