Stages and Spaces program
Stages and Spaces is Ku-ring-gai Council’s bold new 12-month creative program, throwing open the doors of Council venues and inviting local artists and creative groups to dream bigger, take risks and bring their ideas to life.
This 12-month program offers free or low-cost access to community spaces for rehearsals, exhibitions, performances, workshops and creative development, so artists can focus on making, not sourcing hire fees. It seeks to ensure equitable participation by women, young people, and culturally and linguistically diverse creatives, particularly those facing financial or structural barriers.
The program aims to strengthen Ku-ring-gai’s cultural life, support emerging and established creatives and make better use of Council facilities during off-peak periods.
Read program guidelines and eligibility
Program overview
Ku-ring-gai Council is launching this pilot program to support local artists and creative organisations by increasing the use of Council facilities for cultural and creative purposes.
The program enables artists and creative groups to rehearse, perform, and exhibit new and innovative work within the local community.
By providing free or low-cost access to selected Council venues, the program seeks to:
- Enliven the arts sector.
- Foster community wellbeing and social connection.
- Encourage creative experimentation.
- Contribute to local economic and cultural vibrancy.
- Promote equitable participation and cultural diversity across creative practices.
Venues will be made available primarily during off-peak periods, balancing regular community use with creative activation. This approach opens Council spaces to artists while supporting the long-term sustainability of facilities and encouraging diverse cultural opportunities.
For the purposes of this program, “creative” refers to activities involving artistic expression or cultural practice, such as visual arts, performance, music, writing, or other forms of creative production.
What the program offers
- Low-cost or free access to Council venues - mainly during off-peak times.
- Spaces suitable for creative development, rehearsals, exhibitions and small performances.
- Support for artists who face financial or structural barriers to accessing creative space.
- A chance to test ideas, create new work and contribute to Ku-ring-gai’s cultural life.
Who can apply
- Local artists, creative practitioners and groups with a connection to Ku-ring-gai.
- People working in visual arts, performance, music, writing or cross-disciplinary practice.
- Not-for-profit creative organisations (incorporated or unincorporated*).
- Emerging artists, including those under 30.
Applicants must be 18+. Applications for under-18 creatives must be made by a parent or guardian.
*Unincorporated groups must nominate a responsible individual and show appropriate insurance coverage.
Venues available
How to apply
Submit an online expression of interest outlining:
- Your creative activity.
- Preferred venue and dates.
- Budget.
- Reason for requesting support.
Apply
We will contact you within 5 business days to discuss your proposal.
Please note:
- Applications will not be accepted for activities occurring within 15 business days.
- Support is available if you need help with the form - contact: stagesandspaces@krg.nsw.gov.au.
Eligible creative activities
Creative development - rehearsals, writing, workshops, experimentation.
Creative presentation - exhibitions, performances, readings, installations and showcases.
Not eligible - private functions, non-creative activities (eg. fitness), commercially viable events, fundraising/markets, or cultural celebrations without a significant creative component.
Using the venues
- Bookings take place mainly during off-peak periods.
- Dry-hire model: users manage their own setup and pack-down.
- Up to 3 subsidised weekend bookings per calendar year.
- Up to 2 extended block bookings (up to two weeks each) per year.
- Bookings must be made 15 business days in advance.
- Public liability insurance required for public or ongoing events.
- Bonds may apply depending on the venue and activity.
- Council venues used in the pilot will meet accessibility standards where possible.
Support tiers
To keep the program accessible, three levels of fee support are available:
- 100% Fee Waiver - for applicants facing significant barriers; priority for new/innovative work.
- 50% Fee Waiver - for projects needing partial support to proceed.
- Standard Hire Fees - for commercial or ineligible activities, or where subsidy isn’t required.
Subsidised users must acknowledge Council support in promotions.
How applications are assessed
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and assessed on:
- Artistic purpose and alignment with program goals.
- Innovation or development of new work.
- Artistic experience or potential.
- Community and cultural benefit, including diversity.
- Financial or structural barriers to accessing space.
- Suitability of the requested venue.
- Connection to Ku-ring-gai.
Because venue availability is limited, not all eligible applications can be supported.
Program timeline
| Stage |
Timing |
| Program drafted |
November 2025 |
| Pilot begins |
January 2026 |
| Pilot concludes |
December 2026 |
| Final evaluation |
Early 2027 |