Announced today, Tuesday 23 June, the 2026–27 New South Wales Budget will commit $1.21 billion towards arts and culture in the state with $537.2 million of that directed to capital investment.

Among the big spends: $29.3m toward Sound NSW’s Contemporary Music Strategy and $29.1m for the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner to develop more vibrant night-time precincts in metropolitan and regional areas.

$26.8m is earmarked for the Creative Communities Package, delivering new programs in line with the Creative Communities Policy including in Western Sydney and Regional NSW. $17m goes to Creative NSW to grow audiences and support a sustainable creative ecosystem across the state.

$2m will be invested planning for the construction of a sound shell for a permanent, purpose-built open-air performance stage in Western Sydney.

Achitect rendering of the Powerhouse Ultimo redevelopment.

The largest arts and cultural investment is a bricks-and-mortar one: the Powerhouse Ultimo revitalisation, which will receive $207m over the next four years. The funding will support the ongoing restoration of the heritage-listed site and the creation of expanded exhibition, collection and visitor facilities aimed at strengthening Sydney’s cultural and tourism offering.

The State Library of NSW is also a...