Create NSW funding recipients announced; future of Writing NSW ‘at risk’

Create NSW has announced the recipients of its Multi-Year Organisations Funding.

In the literature category, four organisations received combined funding of $570,000:

• Red Room Poetry ($125,000): To support its vision for 2021–2024 ‘to cultivate cultural impact and creative excellence in poets, poetry and projects across core areas’ of environment, amplification/visibility, First Nations, youth and marginalised voices.
• Sydney Review of Books ($50,000): To support its delivery of ‘a vibrant program of review and feature essays authored by the best writers in Australia and NSW in 2021–2024’. SRB said, ‘We will continue to support local writers through fellowships and residencies, and we will broaden our audience engagement through increased public programming and regional outreach.’
• Varuna National Writers’ House Residency and Writer Development Program ($185,000): To support its delivery of ‘professional development and mentorship to writers nationwide’.
• WestWords ($210,000): To ‘create opportunities, career pathways and capacity for Western Sydney writers and writing … through the provision of programs to develop skills, audiences and the artform’.

In a press release, Writing NSW CEO Jane McCredie criticised Create NSW’s decision not to award funding to the organisation. The release said Writing NSW ‘as one of the largest employers of writers in Australia … currently pays out close to $200,000 each year in fees for teaching, curating, writing, speaking and judging’ and offers paid employment to around 300 writers each year, as well as 10 staff’.

‘All this is at risk with the decision by Create NSW to end the current state funding of $175,000 per year in December,’ said McCredie. ‘We currently generate around two-thirds of our turnover from our own activities, which is a really impressive result for an organisation like ours. But state government funding is the foundation that underlies everything we are able to do. Without an alternative source of funding, we will not be able to continue in our current form beyond the end of this year.’

The NSW state government announced changes to its multi-year arts funding for small to medium independent arts organisations in October last year. The full list of the latest round of funding recipients can be viewed here.

Category: Local news