Precinct activation grants

Applications are now closed

Recommendations to Council: 16 May 2022

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About this program

This grant encourages collaborative partnerships between businesses, creatives and communities that renew and transform our city centre, local precincts and neighbourhoods.

We are encouraging precinct-based activations in the city centre, Haymarket and inner-city local neighbourhoods.

Precincts can be big or small and are created when local businesses near each other collaborate to activate and enliven their area.

Funding can be used for new initiatives, activations and events, or to strengthen and adapt existing partnerships and programs.

These collaborations in the City of Sydney local area will be designed to activate businesses, public spaces and vacant retail and commercial space with cultural programming.

We will prioritise precinct-based activations that show:
- collaborations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander run businesses, creatives, community-controlled organisations, and networks
- strengthened local precinct and neighbourhood identity
- creative activation of public spaces, business precincts and local neighbourhoods
- paid opportunities for local creatives
- collaborations between local businesses and local creatives to enliven the city
- promotion of local economies for the benefit of local businesses, creatives, residents and visitors
- increased visitors to the city centre, local precincts and neighbourhoods
- coordinated precinct leadership to support ongoing collaborations and activations
- plans to evaluate and monitor outcomes for the precinct in the short to medium term.
Precinct-based activations must contribute to one or more of these outcomes:
- increase visibility and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
- strengthen the unique precinct identity and offering of the city centre, local precincts and neighbourhoods
- promote collaboration between local businesses, cultural operators and creatives in a local area
- support businesses by increasing visitors and spending in a local area
- strengthen connections between local businesses and their communities
- increase paid opportunities for local cultural and creative sectors including artists, musicians and performers.
Proposals are assessed against the funding priorities and expected program outcomes. The assessment panel will consider the lead applicant’s:
- demonstrated collaboration with local businesses, creative and cultural operators and/or community groups
- evidence of direct benefit to local businesses, cultural and creative operators and local precincts and neighbourhoods
- evidence of the need for the project and proposed outcomes
- capacity and experience to create successful activations at a precinct level
- inclusion of a clear project plan including secured partnerships and marketing/promotional plans
- evidence of a realistic budget with appropriate resourcing, including payment of creative personnel where applicable
- supporting documentation from a minimum of 5 collaborating businesses and other project partners
- evidence of pre-application discussions with the City of Sydney, including outdoor events or planning assessment teams as required
- clearly defined project proposals that identify activation locations in the city centre, local precincts and/or neighbourhoods.

Funding available

Cash funding in amounts from $100,000 to $300,000 and value-in-kind venue and banner pole hire is available for precinct-based collaborations.

Project timeframe 1 June 2022 to 30 June 2023.

Contact our grants team on 02 9265 9333 or [email protected] to discuss your project and its alignment with precinct activation guidelines.

Eligibility

To be eligible an applicant must operate in the City of Sydney local area or demonstrate benefits for the area’s residents, workers or visitors.

We particularly encourage applications from organisations, groups and networks that support Aboriginal and Torres and Strait Islander communities including Aboriginal businesses, community controlled organisations and networks.

The lead applicant may be a for-profit organisation, not-for-profit organisation or sole trader that is:
- a creative producer and/or agency
- an event manager
- a precinct coordinator.
Other project collaborators may include:
- a creative, retail, entertainment, tourism and accommodation or hospitality business
- a land owner wanting to activate vacant space
- a media agency
- an arts/cultural operator based in the City of Sydney local area
- a community group wanting to reinvigorate their local neighbourhoods.
Each application must have a lead applicant plus a minimum of 5 project collaborators located near each other.
Funding will not cover:
- projects that directly contravene the eligibility and ethics framework or existing City of Sydney policies
- capital expenditure over $20,000 (equipment up to a cost of $20,000 may be eligible)
- permanent staffing costs or ongoing operational costs.

The lead applicant must lodge the application, sign the funding agreement and report project outcomes on behalf of all project collaborators.

The lead applicant will be responsible for activities such as:
- concept development and delivery
- coordinating collaborating businesses/organisations
- any public space activations
- liaising with the City of Sydney or any other relevant land owners or authorities for approvals
- coordinating marketing and media partners
- collecting data and project reporting
- coordinating and paying suppliers and/or contractors.
To apply, the lead applicant will need to provide a detailed project plan and budget outlining the activities as part of the collaboration, the time allocated to each activity, and the allocation of funds. Letters of support from collaborating businesses or organisations will also be required.

Before you apply

Read the document below to make sure your application meets our assessment criteria. You’ll find information about funding, timing, eligibility and process, which can help you prepare a successful application.