NSW First Nations artists, cultural organisations and businesses can now access new funding to develop and grow First Nations-led creative arts and cultural tourism experiences, helping meet the rising visitor demand for authentic engagement with the world's oldest continuous living culture.
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 federal government's 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy - THRIVE which identifies First Nations tourism experiences as a key area of growth.
Create NSW executive director, Kerri Glasscock, said First Nations-led arts and cultural tourism will strive to elevate stories, art and cultural knowledge to enrich NSW's visitor economy.
"NSW is home to the world's oldest continuous living culture, and visitors are increasingly seeking meaningful opportunities to connect with First Nations storytelling, art, food, knowledge and culture," she said.
"The First Nations Cultural Tourism Creativity Fund is designed to support First Nations artists, organisations and communities to develop and deliver unforgettable tourism experiences that share ancient stories and connect to their heritage.
"First Nations-led arts and cultural tourism will elevate stories, art and cultural knowledge to enrich NSW's visitor economy, and grow deeper appreciation and respect for First Nations people and heritage, while boosting economic outcomes for First Nations communities."
Applications for 2026-27 First Nations Cultural Tourism Creativity Fund are open until the 12th of 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) and 'Grow' - Tier 2 ($50,001 to $100,000 to support projects ready to expand, launch or scale)
Applicants may book an online 1:1 appointment with a Create NSW First Nations program team member to ask questions about the program.
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