Sydney’s night-time arts and culture scene will receive a boost with nine organisations including the National Art School receiving funding to keep their doors open after dark, attracting new audiences to the CBD.

Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Alister Henskens said the latest $3.6 million Culture Up Late series, part of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s $50 million CBDs Revitalisation Program, aims to strengthen the continued recovery of Greater Sydney.

Minister for the Arts and Tourism Ben Franklin said the expanded initiative benefits art lovers and supports employment opportunities for an industry hit hard by the pandemic.

“Following record investment in our iconic cultural institutions, we want to keep the lights on longer and enable wider access to our very best experiences, as well as providing new opportunities for performers, creatives and arts workers,” Mr Franklin said.

NAS will present NAS NEO, a free monthly program of multi-artform performances and events, allowing audiences to discover the artists of tomorrow and make their own art on campus.