Kiama Council offers grants to ‘tourist-y’ events

Kiama Council has once again opened applications for event funding, giving event organisers the opportunity to have their tourist-attracting projects backed by the local government.

The fund has previously funded Kiama community staples for sport, music and art, including the Kiama Sevens Rugby tournament, Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival, and the upcoming Kiama I Do Wedding Trail.

Successful applications can receive upwards of $20,000 to support their events. Applicants can also receive in-kind support to offset their costs with services such as waste collection, venue hire or area event signage.

Kiama Council didn’t specify how many projects it would approve for funding, but said it has budgeted between $100,000 and $130,000 each year for the four financial years.

There are only two rounds of funding allocation planned for the 2023-24 financial year, and there is no guarantee the second round will take place if all funds are allocated in the first round. First round applications opened on 11 May and will close on 22 June 2023. If the second round takes place, it will open some time in December 2023 and close in January 2024.

Anyone interested in funding for their event should complete the Preliminary Events Application form or contact Kiama Council’s events coordinators at [email protected].