The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre
The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre is closed.
Blacktown artists receive Creative Arts Fund grants to bring local stories to life
Ten innovative artists and organisations will see their creative projects come to life after being named recipients of the 2026 Blacktown City Creative Arts Fund.
Blacktown City Council has awarded $45,000 in grant funding to talented creatives and organisations after the panel assessed a range of quality applications.
The Creative Arts Fund supports the creative growth and professional artistic and cultural development of local artists, creatives, groups and organisations.
A comedy writing workshop, a dance project exploring mental health and a musical celebration of Filipino culture are among the diverse projects receiving financial support.
Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting was delighted that more artists would be able to realise their goals.
“We have many brilliant artists who can benefit from a bit of help to bring the stories of our community to life,” he said.
“Council continues to help our community express its creativity and I can’t wait to see the finished works of this year’s recipients.”
Each recipient highlights the depth of creative talent in Blacktown City.
Grant funding was awarded to the following artists and organisations:
Christina Bangel
My Pamilya Time
An interactive children’s music and storytelling project celebrating Filipino family, culture, belonging and connection through original songs, movement and bilingual storytelling.
Common House
Common House Digital Community
A research and co-design project to explore how Western Sydney creatives and Sydney-based creative organisations can be better connected through community-informed digital infrastructure that supports creative networking, opportunity sharing and resource exchange.
Holly Cornish
Seeing Blacktown
Development of original artworks that share a unique Blacktown City perspective and have a connection to land, history, culture, parks, nature, people and places. The work will represent the diversity of Blacktown’s community, and an ever-changing Blacktown.
Jugni Chaudhry
Heavy Heirlooms
The development of a 1.5 metre textile and paper scroll artwork in collaboration with Blacktown Medicare Mental Health Centre. The work will be presented at Stanhope Gardens Library during International Women’s Week.
Karan Singh
Blacktown Laughs: Live Showcase
A comedy writing workshop open to Western Sydney comedians and arts practitioners followed by a showcase performance.
Leanne Larwood
Disability in the Shadows
New artworks that will be part of a children’s book, told from the perspective of someone with a disability.
Lily Cheng
To the Brim
The development of a script and consultative board for the short film ‘To the Brim’; a story that blends Chinese mythology and folklore with Australiana horror.
Pranav Chandra
Behind the Screens: Free Recording & Mixing Courses in Blacktown City
A free, hands-on recording and mixing course for emerging musicians, producers and engineers.
Seran Sribalan
Raja Margam: The King’s Path
Creative development of an original Bharatanatyam dance theatre work exploring men’s mental health through the metaphor of kingship, inspired by Tamil literary traditions.
WASH House Inc.
United Together: Create for Change
A youth community arts project that celebrates the creativity, talent and voices of young people through workshops and an art exhibition, inspiring conversations about respect, equality and the prevention of gender-based violence.
Check out more information about the recipients and the program here
This project is presented by Blacktown Arts and supported by Blacktown City Council.
