Inclusion Festival 2026

This is a preview of the Inclusion Festival 2026 form. You will be able to start a submission when the round opens at 9:00pm 8 September 2026 (AEST)
 

International Day of People with Disability

Instructions

  • Please provide a response to all relevant questions on the pages;
  • When you have completed all of the questions on a page, click on Next Page to view the next page of the application form;
  • Click Save Progress periodically to ensure you do not lose any information you have entered;
  • You can jump to any page in application form by using Application Form Navigation table on the right side of the form;
  • Once you have completed all of the pages of the form, the last page of the form will provide you with the opportunity to Review your application.  If you are happy with your application you can then click Submit, if you have answered all of the required questions a Confirmation Message will be displayed to acknowledge receipt of your application.
  • Submissions close: 11.59pm, 30 September 2026 (AEDT)

If you need help submitting your application, or have any questions, please phone Finn on 02 9335 2139, or Caitlin on 02 9392 5236. Alternatively, please email finn.okeefe@innerwest.nsw.gov.au or caitlin.castell-brown@innerwest.nsw.gov.au

  • If you have access requirements that cause difficulty submitting material online and you need assistance, please call 9392 5000. To talk with a free interpreter call 131 450. 
  • 9392 5000. نحن نتكلم لغتك.131 للتحدث مع مترجم مجاني اتصل بالرقم 450اطلب منهم الاتصال بمجلس الغرب الداخلي على الرقم 
  • Μιλάμε τη γλώσσα σας. Για να μιλήσετε δωρεάν σε διερμηνέα καλέστε το 131 450. Ζητήστε τους να καλέσουν το Δήμο Inner West Council στο 9392 5000. 
  • Parliamo la vostra lingua. Per parlare gratuitamente con un interprete chiamate il numero 131 450. Chiedetegli di chiamare il Comune di Inner West al numero 9392 5000. 
  • Falamos a sua língua. Para falar com um intérprete gra tuitamente ligue para 131 450. Peça-lhes para ligar para o Inner West Council no número 9392 5000. 
  • 我們能說您的語言。 如需免費傳譯服務，請致電131 450， 然後請傳譯員致電9392 5000接通 Inner West市政府。  
  • เราพูดภาษาของท่าน คุยกับล่ามได้ฟรีที่เบอร์ 131 450 ขอต่อสาย Inner West Council ที่เบอร์ 9392 5000. 
  • Chúng tôi nói ngôn ngữ của quý vị. Muốn nói chuyện có thông dịch viên miễn phí, hãy gọi số 131 450. Yêu cầu họ gọi cho Hội đồng Thành phố Inner West qua số 9392 5000. 

Inclusion Festival: Celebrating International Day of People with Disability in the Inner West

Council’s Community Wellbeing Team are seeking opportunities to support events, activities, or workshops to mark International Day of People with Disability on and around Thursday, 3 December 2026.

As we celebrate the tenth year of Inclusion Festival, we are shining a spotlight on ten years of disability leadership in the arts by creating opportunities for greater inclusion across creative industries. We encourage disability-led activations and events across a broad range of multidisciplinary artforms, providing opportunities for people with disability to build skills, showcase their talents and participate in creative arts practice.

Community feedback has overwhelmingly supported an expanded Inclusion Festival program, with more opportunities for disability-led creativity throughout the year. In response, we have broadened this funding opportunity to support events, activities and creative projects delivered across an extended program period.

Applications may propose disability-led activations, programs and events taking place around IDPwD between 21 November and 12 December 2026 and/or at any time up to 30 June 2027.

One-off workshops and smaller-scale projects may propose an activation or pilot program in and around December 2026 that can be refined, adapted and replicated in 2027, where this can be achieved within the maximum funding amount of $5,000.

This approach supports the development of sustainable, disability-led initiatives that continue to engage the community beyond International Day of People with Disability, creating lasting opportunities for participation, creativity, and inclusion.

Application Requirements

Your submission should clearly explain:

  • How the project will be promoted and delivered
  • The role of people with disability in planning, leadership and delivery
  • The accessibility measures that will be implemented
  • A project budget, including coverage of all staffing and production costs

Successful applicants will be required to: 

  • Provide evidence of inclusive practice as outlined in our accessibility checklist:
  • Provide Council a simple report including data, statistics, and outcomes of the program.
  • Include Council’s logo on any promotional material.  
  • Provide a budget and acquittal including copies of receipts and invoices for amounts over $500.

Thank you for your work with our community in the Inner West. We are looking forward to receiving your application.  

Objectives

Inner West Council's Inclusion Festival program is aimed to focus on wellbeing through community capacity building, arts and culture.

What we're looking for-

Projects that are creative, inclusive and community driven. They should: 

  • Create opportunities for social connection, community building, and celebration of disability pride.
  • Provide opportunities for people with disability to participate in and build skills in creative activities.
  • Promote access, inclusion, diversity, and participation in the creative industries.

The types of events could include: 

  • Creative workshops (art, music, dance, theatre, writing, digital media).
  • Performances or exhibitions showcasing artists with disability. 
  • Community celebrations or social events.
  • Creative workshops or trainings that up-skill and empower people with disability. 
  • Talks or panels on disability culture and stories. 

GUIDELINES

To be eligible, activities must demonstrate that the event:

Applications are ineligible if the request for support: 

  • Is part of ongoing administration or operational costs of the business or applicant.
  • Is for an event that has already occurred.
  • Is for a project that does not take place in the Inner West LGA.
  • Does not involve the Inner West Community as active participants.
  • Is from an applicant who is a current staff member of Inner West Council, a current or former Councillor of Inner West Council, political parties, or state or Federal Government agencies.

Application outcome

Applicants will be notified of their application’s outcome from Monday, 12 October 2026. 

Successful applicants will receive support of between $500 and $5,000 (including GST) from Inner West Council.

Council’s Community Wellbeing team will be available to provide expertise and advice on operational event delivery, ensuring that all regulatory requirements are met. IWC can provide templates for event documentation including risk and safety management and scheduling.

Budget Requirements

Please note before proceeding that any costs over $500 must have the quote attached and the invoice included in the acquittal. 

SUPERANNUATION 

All applicants will need account for superannuation payments as part of your budget where applicable. Please check the ATO website for further information

Venue Support

Applicants should ensure that adequate staffing, production and marketing costs are included in their project budget.

Council will promote inclusion festival as an umbrella event and may be able to provide venues as an in-kind contribution, subject to availability and the nature of the proposed activity.

To check availability and get a quote for your booking, please visit our website here Venues for hire | Inner West Council and refer to our Indoor venues fee scale policy | Inner West Council

Program dates and venues locations may be subject to change. Council will work with successful applicants to finalise details.  

For successful applicants

Agreement

A formal agreement will be sent to successful applicants. Inability to comply with the agreement may result in withdrawal of support. Applicants who do not meet their obligations under the grant agreement may not be eligible to apply for further grant support from Inner West Council. 

This including meeting all the key dates outlined below.

Key Dates for Applicants

  • 30 September 2026: Expressions of Interest close.
  • 12 October 2026: Successful applicants notified.
  • 15 October 2026: All event marketing materials submitted to Council
  • 24 October 2026: Council's Inclusion Festival website launches with all festival events.
  • 31 October 2026: Project invoices due to Council.
  • Mid-November 2026: Major promotional campaign begins.
  • 21 November 2026: Inclusion Festival opens.
  • 11 December 2026: Final day to submit late invoices for payment. Invoices received after this date will not be processed until late January 2027.
  • 12 December 2026: Inclusion Festival closes.

Payment and GST 

Payment information will be provided with the letter of offer. Grants will be paid in full upon receipt of a tax invoice. Applicants registered for GST should add GST to the grant amount. 

Recognition of assistance 

Successful applicants must acknowledge the Inner West Council for their activity at the activity and in any promotional material in relation to the activity. 

Activity Variations 

If there are significant changes to the funded activity, applicants must contact Council to confirm that the variation is acceptable prior to the activity. This includes but is not limited to, activity start and end dates, venues, fees and charges. 

Ready to Apply?

The application will ask for key information about yourself as project lead for your proposal including contact information and organisation/business details as applicable.

You will need to provide key information about the proposed project including proposed location, title, description, target audience and project timeline.  A balanced budget proposal is to be provided and there is an option to upload supporting material.

Please ensure you have all this information ready to input into your proposal. Incomplete and unsubmitted proposals will not be considered.

Stallholder Interest

Please tick this box if you would be interested in holding an Art or Craft stall at Inclusion Festival.