Audience Development Fund
With M&G NSW investment in 2026, the Audience Development Fund (ADF) will be broadened to accept applications from NSW public museums, as well as galleries.
The ADF offers publicly funded salaried museums and galleries in NSW assistance in targeting and developing new audiences. It encourages organisations to create innovative public programs that engage with collections, visual arts practice, and communities. The fund is designed to support organisations to develop and trial new models for engaging audiences that will increase immediate and future attendance, access and participation.
Funds can be used for costs that support the development and implementation of public or educational programs, provide seed funding to trial new models for public engagement and/or build new partnerships for audience development.
Examples of past programs supported include Gosford Regional Gallery’s Studio Gossie, removing barriers for accessibility, 1000 Words – Arts and Literacy program for schools at Northern Rivers Community Gallery, Art Walks, a guided video tour of public art developed by Goulburn Regional Art Gallery; Fairfield City Museum & Gallery’s digital art program Immaterial; and Orange Regional Gallery’s Connecting to Place, building new relationships with migrant and refugee communities.
Amount available: up to $8,000 for each grant (no minimum)
OPENING APRIL 2026
For further information email:
Gallery Team
Susan Wacher susanw@mgnsw.org.au or Vanessa James vanessaj@mgnsw.org.au
Museum Team
Emily Cullen emilyc@mgnsw.org.au or Alana Leslie alanal@mgnsw.org.au
Key successes of the project include a consistent uptake by, and meaningful engagement with, Albury Wodonga new migrant community members. Individual and in some cases, family attendance remained consistent throughout the year, with regular participants providing feedback that was positive in terms of meaningful experiences.
Recipient of an Audience Development Fund grant, 2018This program saw a unique mix of locally-led design and participation as well as new visitors to the presentation of the project…
Recipient of an Audience Development Fund grant, 2018Going for a walk (such a simple pleasure and, we forget, a necessity for previous generations) has taken on new significance. A great initiative to focus on the public art of Goulburn and walk through space and history with your accompaniment. Thank you for all you do. Art is indeed life.
Recipient of an Audience Development Fund grant, 2019The ADF grant has provided us with an invaluable opportunity to strategically assess our education programs in consultation with the teachers we are looking to work with.
Recipient of an Audience Development Fund grant, 2018I just wanted to say how much I’m loving this Peggy Pop Art being sucked into a David Lynch style portal. It’s fun, interactive, situating, kids and adults would be loving it! I wonder if Digby’s painting went back to The Dreamtime? It’s such a great way to make art gallery’s friendly, community based fun places rather than white walls.
Recipient of an Audience Development Fund grant, 2016PREVIOUS AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT FUND GRANT RECIPIENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND ACQUITTAL REPORTS
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The Audience Development Fund is a Create NSW devolved funding program, administered by Museums & Galleries of NSW (M&G NSW) on behalf of the NSW Government.
