NSW Professional Development Bursaries

Applications open: Wednesday 5 August 2026
Online Information Session: Tuesday 18 August, 5:30pm (AEST)
Applications close: Monday 7 September 2026, 11:59pm (AEST)
Successful applicants notified by: Friday 25 September 2026
Successful activities must be completed by: Saturday 31 July 2027 

Opportunities this funding could support are: 

• Registration fees, accommodation, and/or travel allowances to support your attendance at an arts conference, market, or festival (e.g. Groundswell, Arts on Tour Salon or APAM). 
• Childcare costs to support travelling away from home for a producing course (e.g. Regional Arts NSW RALLY Assembly). 
• Mentorship fees when working with a mentor over an extended period 

This is not an exhaustive list, and we strongly encourage applications that identify alternative professional development opportunities to those stated above. 

There is also no restriction on location of where professional development activities can take place. 

You may also look to this resource HERE if you are unsure of any professional development opportunities for you.

National Producers Platform 2025 – Image by Helspix
NSW Producers Exchange 2025 & 2026 – Image by Lucy Parakhina

This bursary program is open to regionally based producers (or arts workers in similar type roles) in NSW. 

For example, you may identify as: 

• A producer who has delivered projects with artists or done event management 
• An artist who self produces their own work  
• An arts administrator or project co-ordinator working in local council, or within a venue or arts organisation  
• A community organiser with experience coordinating local events 

Successful applicants must be physically based or reside in one of the nine regions below as identified by Create NSW’s Plan for Regional NSW Arts, Culture and Creative Industries: 

• North Coast 
• Hunter 
• New England and North West 
• Central West and Orana 
• Central Coast 
• Illawarra Shoalhaven 
• South East and Tablelands 
• Riverina Murray 
• Far West 

You can find more information regarding Create NSW’s plan HERE 

We strongly encourage First Nations, POC, and people with disability to apply. We also encourage people from a variety of producing backgrounds to apply, whether you’re an independent producer, self-producing artist, project co-ordinator, or a community organiser.

In a short and simple application process, we want to hear about you, your practice, your opportunity, why you want to do it, and why now? 

The application form will ask three questions: 

• Tell us about you and your practice or experience 
• How will you use the bursary? 
• Why is this opportunity important to you? Why now? 

You may choose to submit text answers or a video speaking to why you would benefit from a bursary.  

Bursary applications will be assessed by a panel of Performing Lines staff who will consider the above factors alongside the mix of successful applicants to ensure equity in financial support and representation amongst the NSW regions. 

Should you have any questions regarding your application or are unsure if your identified opportunity is right for this program, please get in touch to discuss.  

Applications have now closed.

Please note: you are welcome to apply for multiple programs within the NSW Regional Producers Initiative and will be considered for each program you apply for. However, to ensure equity in support, successful applicants will be offered an opportunity for only one of the programs. 

The general information session was held online on Tuesday 18 August 2026 at 5:30PM (AEST) via Zoom. 

This session covered the full suite of programs, the application process and what to expect, with an opportunity to ask questions and hear from past participants in Performing Lines development programs, including the National Producers Platform.

Below is the recording. 

This session was captioned and AUSLAN interpreted. 

Download PDF copy of the presentation

Performing Lines is committed to providing an inclusive space for all to be involved. Please let us know in your application if you require additional support, or please reach out prior to applying to discuss any access or equity barriers around your participation. 

There is budget available to support access and cultural needs to make your participation in each program possible should your application be successful.

For example, this can look like (but is not limited to) providing: 

• An AUSLAN interpreter 
• A Closed Captioning service 
• A language translations service
• Subsidies to support care for children, elderly, people with Disability, or other dependents to support your travel away from home. 

For people who need to communicate accessibility requirements, there is an option to upload an Access Rider to your application. 

Access Riders can come in many different formats. If you’re unsure of what this looks like or where to start, please feel free to check out this template from our friends at Auspicious Arts Projects here: 

Auspicious Arts Access Rider Template 

If you’re unsure about any of the above or would like further assistance submitting your application, please contact Performing Lines Associate Producer (NSW) Nelson Lee:

E: nelson@performinglines.org.au
P: 02-9319-0066