Overview
Fourteen new cultural events have been given a leg up by the City of Sydney's grant program, with $3 million going towards new activations around Sydney's inner city. The boost to the city's hospitality and arts industries forms part of the council's Precinct Activation Grants program.
The projects that have been offered funding span across the City of Sydney's council area and include street parties, food festivals, farmers' markets, art, workshops and more. Redfern will host a street party with a month-long set of exhibitions, Haymarket will be treated to public art activations, Stanley Street will play home to a six-week food and drink festival, growers and producers markets will pop up at Circular Quay's new precinct Quay Quarter Lanes once a month and Kensington Street will come to life with cultural programming during next summer's Sydney Festival.
Other exciting programs that have been given financial assistance from the City of Sydney include a South Eveleigh Festival by the name of Dark Day Dark Night, a return of YCK Laneway's regular music and arts festivals, a weekend-long music and art festival in Erskineville, a series of pop-up events in the areas surrounding Central Station and UTS, and an open day for the new Walsh Bay Arts Precinct.
The Hollywood Precinct is another project that has been organised by the Darlinghurst Business Partnership, pulling together the local restaurants and bars around Commonwealth Street.
"This corner of Surry Hills has some of Sydney's best bars, cafes and restaurants. But they don't need to compete against each other to create a great vibe and be successful," said Darlinghurst Business Partnership's Lorraine Lock. "By working together to create a coherent precinct we are creating interest in the whole area, attracting visitors and generating business for everyone."
Each of the 14 events will receive between $100,000 and $300,00 and will take place between the start of June this year and the end of June next year.
"This innovative grant program was designed to encourage businesses, creatives and communities to collaborate and bring cultural activity to precincts and local neighbourhoods," City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
Stanley Street
Head online to read more about the City of Sydney's Precinct Activation Grants.