Kids, parents and carers in Lismore will be able to apply for a $100 Creative Kids voucher from the NSW Government to help them stay connected to creative learning activities during social distancing restrictions.

State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said this was possible thanks to an expansion of the Creative Kids program’s eligible activities and $1 million in funding to help program providers make the digital transition.

“The Creative Kids program offers families an annual $100 voucher for every school aged child to contribute to registration, participation and tuition costs for performing arts, visual arts, coding, languages, literature, music and other creative and cultural activities,” Ms Saffin said. 

“The new expanded guidelines will ensure children with limited access to the internet, including in regional and remote NSW, have more opportunities by allowing Creative Kids vouchers to cover the cost of more creative materials and equipment.”

Changes to the program guidelines include allowing digital adaptation grants for Creative Kids providers of up to $5,000.

It also included allowances for the creation of a digital toolkit to help providers pivot to online delivery; extension of the use of Creative Kids vouchers for online programs and educational materials.

Ms Saffin said Service NSW website had also been improved to make it easier for parents to find a provider.

The Northern Rivers and Northern Tablelands regions had such creative communities and it was important to keep kids connected to quality cultural and creative activities, despite the impact of COVID-19, Ms Saffin said.

Ms Saffin said $1 million in small business grants would help providers deliver programs remotely via the web and other platforms and would provide a vital economic boost for small businesses doing it tough.

To be eligible for a grant, applicants must:

• Clearly demonstrate adaptation of Creative Kids activities to online delivery,

• Describe how this support can maintain or increase voucher redemption during COVID-19, and

• Meet the objectives of the Creative Kids program.

For more details of how to apply, visit http://www.create.nsw.gov.au