The Access Grants program aims to facilitate increased access to quality arts programs (theatre, dance, music and visual arts) for students and teachers from disadvantaged government schools. Our research tells us that many families cannot afford the ticket and travel costs usually associated with excursions to galleries or performing arts venues. The Access Grants program enables arts venues and organisations to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to enable ticket and travel subsidies to be provided to disadvantaged school groups to attend their performances and exhibitions.

The following organisations received an Access Grant in 2008:

- Albury City Council for Albury Convention and Performing Arts Centre

- Australian Theatre of the Deaf Ltd

- Bathurst Regional Council for Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre

- Bell Shakespeare Company Ltd

- Biennale of Sydney

- Campbelltown City Council for Campbelltown Arts Centre

- Company B Ltd

- Griffith City Council for Griffith Regional Theatre

- Newcastle City Council for Civic Theatre, Newcastle

- Orange City Council for Orange Civic Theatre

- Penrith City Council for Penrith Performing and Visual Arts Ltd

- Sydney Opera House Trust

- Sydney Symphony Ltd

- Sydney Theatre Company

- Theatre of Image Ltd

- Wagga Wagga City Council for Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre

- Wollongong City Council for Wollongong City Gallery Ltd

- Wollongong City Council for Illawarra Performing Arts Centre Ltd