Blacktown Arts secures major funding boost

Blacktown City Council is proud to announce that Blacktown Arts has been awarded $450,000 per year through Create NSW’s Multi-Year Investment program from 2026 to 2028.

This represents a significant increase on current investment.

The investment by the NSW Government recognises the extraordinary creative talent of Blacktown and Western Sydney artists.

Mayor of Blacktown City, Brad Bunting, welcomed the announcement. ‘This is a fantastic result for our City and our creative community. At a time when arts funding is under pressure, Blacktown Arts and the city’s creatives have secured a major boost that will help grow and strengthen Blacktown Arts into the future,’ Mayor Bunting said.

‘Blacktown City is proud to invest in our local artists and to support the stories and ideas that make our diverse city unique.’

The funding will directly support local creatives, many from culturally diverse and First Nations backgrounds, through paid opportunities, exhibitions, artist residencies and development programs.

‘This means more support for local talent to grow their careers and share stories that matter to our community, locally and globally. We are proud to give them a platform as recognised artistic leaders and innovators’ Mayor Bunting said.

Programs delivered over the next three years will reflect the identity, energy and diversity of Blacktown, from public programs, exhibitions, live music and large-scale cultural events.

‘Blacktown Arts creates experiences that feel relevant and local. You see your neighbourhood, your culture and your community reflected in the work. That’s what makes it powerful. It belongs to the people of Blacktown City,’ Mayor Bunting said.

The 2025–2028 strategic plan also includes the move to a new venue, which will give Blacktown Arts space to expand its work and welcome even more of the community.

‘This is about more than just programs. It is about creating a place where people can gather, create and celebrate together. A home for the arts in the heart of our City,’ Mayor Bunting said.

Create NSW’s Multi-Year Investment program is highly competitive, with funding awarded based on artistic merit, community impact and alignment with government priorities.

The funding outcome for Blacktown Arts is among the most significant in Western Sydney, reflecting the strength of its program and the value of its work in the community.

Mayor Bunting also acknowledged the strength of the wider Western Sydney arts community.

‘We extend our congratulations to the Western Sydney network of arts centres, organisations, creatives and councils,” he said. “We work closely together as a region to support the creative energy and cultural aspirations of our communities.’

Blacktown City Council remains one of the largest local government investors in arts and culture in New South Wales and continues to advocate for stronger support for Western Sydney’s creative future.