Arts Programs 2027

Arts Programs may include exhibitions and curatorial projects and public programs, dance, music, theatre and other cross-disciplinary works.

Council delivers arts and cultural programs reflective of Cumberland’s communities, cultures and identities. These programs build connections between the places and people of Cumberland, creating vibrant local places and fostering access to arts and culture for those who live, work, play and study in Cumberland. Arts programs are delivered from Council’s key arts facilities including Granville Centre Art Gallery.

The Granville Centre Art Gallery is a large, modern, purpose-built space (356m²) designed for creative exploration and community connection. We are inviting proposals that activate this space with bold, engaging and culturally relevant creative practice – from exhibitions and curatorial projects to public programs, performances, installations, and cross-disciplinary works. Our focus is on collaborations that offer free and accessible arts and cultural experiences for the people of Cumberland.

This program is built on a partnership approach. Council offers significant in-kind support and promotion, while artists and organisations bring their creative vision, skills, networks, and where possible, additional resources. Projects that combine Council’s contribution with other sources of funding, sponsorship or in-kind support will be considered favourably, as this allows us to deliver a greater diversity of high-quality programs for our community.

What Council provides

Through this Expression of Interest, Council offers successful applicants:

• Free use of the Granville Centre Art Gallery (and other relevant spaces within the Centre) for an agreed period.
• In-kind production support, including access to gallery furniture, gallery production equipment, basic AV and staging equipment, and assistance from technical team where available.
• Marketing and promotion, including listing in Council’s arts and culture promotions, website, social media, and media releases.
• Community engagement support, connecting projects with local networks and audiences.

While Council is unable to fully fund most projects, we are committed to investing in partnerships that combine our in-kind contribution with your creative vision and additional resources. This shared investment model enables us to deliver a greater variety of arts experiences and reach more of our community. The level of in-kind and/or financial assistance, and the duration of space use, will be negotiated with each successful applicant to ensure programs are cost-efficient, feasible, and of strong community benefit.

Cumberland Arts Program at Granville Centre Art Gallery aims to:

• Provide Cumberland communities with access to arts and culture.
• Grow connections and collaborations between diverse cultures, people, partners, artform and practices.
• Support creative, arts and cultural groups to scale up, promote and amplify their cultural initiatives and projects through opportunities to showcase work locally.
• Provide a secure, supportive, culturally engaging environment for the local artistic community by providing new networking opportunities which encourage the exchange of ideas, diversity in professional practice as well as intercultural dialogue.

About The Granville Centre

The Granville Centre – Granville Centre Art Gallery 1 Memorial Drive, Granville

1 Memorial Drive, Granville

The Granville Centre is Council’s key arts and cultural facility, including Granville Centre Art Gallery and a dedicated Artist in Residence space. It is a community hub facility centrally located a short walk from Granville Town Centre, close to the vibrant food destination location of South Street, and heritage-listed Granville Town Hall. The Granville Centre includes a range of community activated spaces including Granville Library, workshop spaces, a purpose-built music recording and rehearsal space, community halls, and outdoor recreation spaces and gallery. Since opening in late 2020, the Gallery has hosted a diverse range of exhibitions, events, and programs that reflect the richness of our community.

Your application

Once you have read the program information, please complete the online Application Form. Applications close Sunday 30 August 2026 at 5pm.

For more information or support before commencing your application, please contact the Arts Team on 8757 9029 or email granvillecentreartgallery@cumberland.nsw.gov.au

Please note that separate applications/proposals are required for the Artist in Residence Program and Arts Program. If you wish to apply for both, an application needs to be submitted to each.

Selection criteria for Arts Programs

• Applicant’s connection to Cumberland (Preference will be given to applicants that live, work, study or play in the Cumberland Local Government Area or at minimum demonstrate capability and intention to meaningfully engage with Cumberland communities).
• Quality in arts practice
• Relevance of the arts program to the Cumberland community.
• Demonstrated experience in the development and delivery of arts programs.
• Suitability of art form for the Granville Centre Art Gallery.
• The extent to which the proposed activity provides benefits and access to arts and culture for Cumberland communities and visitors to The Granville Centre.

• Feasibility of the proposed program including consideration of available resources.

   

Eligibility

• Applicants must be over the age of 18 and have the right to live and work in Australia.
• Applicants must possess or be willing to obtain Public Liability Insurance to a minimum of $20 million and listing Cumberland City Council as an Interested Party.
• Applicants must possess or be willing to obtain Working with Children Check for paid employees.
• Applicants must have an ABN or ability to obtain prior to commencement.

If you have an idea for a project that doesn’t fit The Granville Centre, or if you just want to get to know us, we still want to hear from you. Please call the Arts Team on 8757 9029 or email granvillecentreartgallery@cumberland.nsw.gov.au