First Nations stories and communities Australia proudly acknowledges and holds the heritage of the oldest continuous living cultures, with a significant population of First Nations people living in Sydney and across NSW. "First Nations" is a broader term that is used when referring to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia. It emphasises the diversity of cultures, languages, and nations, and it honours the original people of the land who have thrived here long before colonisation and endured through times of great dispossession and dispersion. Within the Create NSW context, "First Nations NSW" in state-level funding is not exclusionary but rather prioritises and encompasses both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups to support the cultural preservation and artistic expression that is specific to NSW. It ensures that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of NSW receive focused support for their cultural continuity and artistic endeavours and is used to acknowledge and focus on the diverse Aboriginal nations within the state of New South Wales (NSW). It carries a lot of respect and recognition and should be used when specifically referring to the Aboriginal nations within NSW, Australia. When collaborating and engaging with First Nations artists or organisations it requires a deep respect for and adherence to Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) rights. It is essential that we respect First Nations peoples sovereign right to control how their creative expressions and traditional knowledge are used, shared, and celebrated. Western Sydney and regional NSW Western Sydney encompasses the thirteen local government areas of Blacktown City, Blue Mountains City, Camden Council, Campbelltown City, The City of Canterbury Bankstown, Cumberland Council, Fairfield City, Hawkesbury City, Liverpool City, The City of Parramatta, Penrith City, The Hills Shire, and Wollondilly Shire. Regional NSW is defined as the areas outside Greater Sydney. Create NSW defines Greater Sydney as including the local government areas of City of Blue Mountains to the West, Sutherland Shire to the South and the Central Coast to the North. Next generation of creatives and audiences The next generation of creatives and audiences includes young people aged between 18-25. It also includes emerging artists, and arts and cultural workers who are generally in the first five years of their creative practice or profession, regardless of age. The creation of sustainable career pathways for both young and emerging artists, and arts and cultural workers is a key priority for the ACFP. The next generations of audience can include those who are yet to engage with your artform or practice. Broad and inclusive communities and content “Broad and inclusive communities” refers to the wide diversity of NSW people including First Nations communities, people of non-English speaking background, those from cultural and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities, and those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. It also refers to our regional communities outside the cities as well as the unique communities in our urban environments. You can also consider the diversity of audiences, artists, and arts and cultural workers. Broad and inclusive content refers to existing and traditional artforms and practice such as visual arts, museums, literature, performing arts as well as new and emerging digital and experimental artforms and practice. Accessibility and Equity Accessibility and equity refer to the inclusion of people with disability or who are d/Deaf. When considering equity, you may wish to include areas of accessibility (physical, financial, economic, and