Funding is available to support regional NSW community arts and cultural development through grants of up to either $3,000 or $5,000, for projects including arts activities as part of community festivals or events, performances, exhibitions, workshops and other local arts initiatives.

Create NSW Executive Director Chris Keely said the annual Country Arts Support Program supports regional NSW arts and cultural activities by increasing opportunities for organisations to showcase a range of arts programs that focus on the community and create social benefits for the regions.

"Create NSW is committed to funding artistic development in our State's regions and showcasing NSW's diverse history and contemporary life through cultural expression.

"The program will support arts and cultural activities across the State and allow regional communities to explore and express their cultural identities through local arts projects, reinforcing that NSW is the engine-room of creativity," said Mr Keely.

Grants are available primarily for professional artists' fees, travel and accommodation that will support a range of activities including workshops, artist-in-residence programs, public art and design projects, seminar and exhibitions.

The fund is delivered in partnership with the 14 Regional Arts Development Organisations.

The program is designed to assist locally determined, regional NSW community arts and cultural activities that will lead to greater awareness and appreciation of cultural expression and diversity and increase the sustainability of regionally-based community arts organisations.

Applications for the Country Arts Support Program 2021 close 5pm Tuesday 29 September 2020 for projects to start on 1 January 2021.

More information, including the guidelines, can be found on the Create NSW website.