Parramatta is backing bold and diverse cultural projects across the City with almost $250,000 in funding awarded to 19 local creatives, heritage groups and community organisations in its Annual Community Grants Program Cultural Round.

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter said the successful programs reflect the City’s creative energy and contribute to Council’s long-term vision to become a leading destination for arts, culture and innovation.

“Parramatta is one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in Australia, and this investment supports the artists, organisations and communities that bring our city to life,” Cr Zaiter said.

“These projects will create vibrant events, amplify local voices and strengthen Parramatta’s reputation as a cultural capital of Western Sydney.

“Every project tells a unique story of who we are and who we’re becoming as a City, activating our streets, venues and community spaces.”

Highlights of this year’s grant recipients include:

• ConSYDderation: A Festival of Speculative Scribes:  a unique literary festival spotlighting speculative fiction and emerging writers.
• Nautanki Theatre Annual Mela: a vibrant flagship festival in Western Sydney, celebrating South Asian culture through bold bilingual theatre, traditional dance, and powerful storytelling.
• River City Voices bring two much loved works to a Parramatta – Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana
• National Trust of Australia will record audio stories of Burramattagal story lines to Experiment Farm Cottage
• The 2026 Parramatta Artists Studio Creative Fellowship recipient, Ms Celine Cheung: Dismantling the Master’s Tools: Global research on Chinese global research on Chinese opium chatelaines, alongside professional development in silverworking.

The Cultural Round is part of Council’s broader Community Grants Program, which supports initiatives that build social connection, celebrate diversity and contribute to the city’s cultural and economic growth.

This round builds on continued investment in community programs across 2025/26, with funding also supporting grassroots initiatives, local organisations and emerging talent across Parramatta.

To learn more about Council’s funding opportunities, visit: Community Grants Program.