Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: Up to $100,000
- Application opened: 8 December 2025
- Application closes: 12 February 2026, 2:00 pm
Program objective
This funding program supports contemporary music events and festivals to deliver new programming and activities that builds audiences, promotes NSW music, supports local music collaboration and provides opportunities for community connection through music.
The funding aims to:
- build audiences and promote NSW music
- increase local artist engagement with their local music scene or community
- increase opportunities for all ages music event programming
- strengthen community participation particularly in Western Sydney and regional NSW
- amplify the work of priority communities to build a diverse contemporary music sector.
This program is administered by Sound NSW (Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport).
Eligibility
Who can apply
Funding is available for music businesses and industry professionals to generate new activity through the delivery of contemporary music events and festivals.
Contemporary music events and festivals must:
- be presented in NSW
- be majority Australian owned
- program new and original contemporary music
- have a maximum capacity of 15,000 OR have a primary focus of First Nations cultural priorities OR be based in regional NSW or Western Sydney
- collaborate with local venues and community organisations to deliver new activity that supports growth in audiences
- provide opportunities for local community connection
- predominantly program local music artists and acts
- program artists from NSW Government priority groups.
For the purpose of this program:
- a contemporary music event or festival refers to an event or festival that is predominantly programming artists and acts performing new and original music
- the event or festival can be new or established, but the activity you seek funding for must be new
- the event or festival can be ticketed or free to the public
- the event or festival can take place in existing venues or outdoor locations for public use
- artforms not supported through this program are:
- experimental music and sound art
- contemporary classical, opera, choral and ensembles.
50% of the program budget will be allocated to applications for activity in Western Sydney and regional NSW. Additional priority will be given to events that support NSW Government priority groups.
Please see the frequently asked questions for more info and definitions.
Funding recipients must:
- be currently based in NSW
- have an active ABN (that’s your Australian Business Number)
- have a bank account with the same name as your ABN.
Number of applications
- you can only submit one application to one Local Audience Development Grants program each financial year
- you cannot submit an application to this program if you have been a recipient of other Sound NSW funding programs in the same financial year.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Funding can support, but is not limited to, activities such as:
- all ages music event activity that supports early career artists and industry professionals to establish and grow new music scenes or communities
- local music events that connect local artists with local business and venues to build local audiences
- festivals based in regional NSW and Western Sydney programming local artists and collaborating with local business and venues.
What costs you can apply for
Funding up to $100,000 can support new or additional programming costs for contemporary music events and festival relating to:
- artists fees
- marketing and promotion
- travel and accommodation costs
- administrative costs.
Who can’t apply
- businesses, organisations and industry professionals not based in NSW
- applicants who have outstanding acquittals from previous Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport
- recipients of other Sound NSW funding programs in this financial year
- applicants who cannot demonstrate partnerships with music businesses or industry professionals working in contemporary music
- contemporary music events and festivals above a capacity of 15,000 unless the event or festival has a primary focus of First Nations cultural priorities or is based in regional NSW or Western Sydney.
What costs you can't apply for
- live music expenses for existing regular programming
- activities that do not enhance, build and grow NSW’s contemporary music industry
- costs incurred before the advertised activity start date
- activity that has received other NSW Government funding
- infrastructure and capital works
- purchase of equipment
- activities that directly support the delivery or course requirements of an educational program or course
- fundraising, donations, awards, prize money or competitions.
Please see the frequently asked questions for more info.
Additional eligibility requirements
The activity cannot start before 1 May 2026 and must be completed by 30 April 2027.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
All applicants must submit the following as part of their application. These materials will all form part of the assessment.
- an outline of your organisation and your connection to your local music scene or community
- evidence of previous experience of delivering live music events, particularly for all-ages activity
- an outline of your activity, including how it will sustain a thriving grassroots music ecosystem
- an outline of how your activity aligns with one or more of the program objectives
- evidence of community consultation
- evidence of relevant compliance documents
- confirmation of community collaborators and local artists
- evidence of your approach to diversity and inclusion
- evidence of your approach to climate sustainability
- a budget detailing income and expenditure
- links to examples of your involvement in previous local music activities
- letters of support.
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Address the assessment criteria
1. Benefit to the grassroots contemporary music ecosystem in NSW
Evidence of the need and impact of the event to build audiences, promote NSW music, support local music collaboration and provide opportunities for community connection. Tell us in detail about:
- the need for the activity
- the intended beneficiaries of the activity
- how this new or additional activity will impact the ecosystem
- how the activity will grow audience attendance.
Sound NSW is committed to supporting all-ages programming to sustain a thriving grassroots music ecosystem. Evidence of all-ages programming within the application, will demonstrate the benefit of the proposed activity to the grassroots contemporary music ecosystem.
2. Connection with your local music scene or community
Evidence of previous experience and successful partnerships.
Tell us in detail about:
- your experience working with your local music scene or community
- evidence of previous successful collaboration and partnerships
- evidence of community consultation
- evidence of previous delivery of all-ages activity or proposal for collaboration with experienced industry partner (all-ages funding request only).
3. Alignment with program objectives
Alignment with one or more of the program objectives.
Tell us in detail about how your project aligns with one or more of the program objectives:
- build audiences and promote NSW music
- increase local artist engagement with their local music scene or community
- increase opportunities for all ages music event programming
- strengthen community participation particularly in Western Sydney and regional NSW
- amplify the work of priority communities to build a diverse contemporary music sector.
Sound NSW is committed to a diverse contemporary music sector in NSW and encourages applications that benefit First Nations people, people who identify as women and non-binary, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTIQ+ community, young people (under 25), and people from Western Sydney and regional and remote communities.
50% of the program budget will be allocated to applications for activity in Western Sydney and regional NSW. Additional priority will be given to events that support NSW Government priority groups.
4. Viability of the activity
Your capacity to undertake this activity, manage the budget and timelines, as well as demonstrate sustainable business models that stimulate growth.
Tell us in detail about:
- your previous experience delivering similar activity with your local music scene or community
- confirmation of community collaborators and local artists
- your approach to diversity and inclusion
- your approach to climate sustainability
- sustainable partnership and investment opportunities within the activity
- your budget, including a breakdown of your total costs
- evidence of compliance documentation required to host all-ages events, including proposed/ sample plan of management or safety plan (all-ages funding requests only).
Sound NSW is committed to supporting a gender balance within live music programming. Evidence of gender balance within the application, will demonstrate the viability of the proposed activity.
Sound NSW is committed to supporting sustainable business models that stimulate growth. Evidence of sustainable partnership and investment opportunities with the application, will demonstrate the viability of the proposed activity.
Minimum fees for musicians
The NSW Government requires that all musicians involved in publicly funded events receive a minimum performance fee of $250. All applicants must demonstrate they meet this requirement in their proposed budget.
Start the application
Sound NSW uses the secure online grants system, SmartyGrants, to manage all its grant programs. All applications must be submitted via the online portal. You will receive an email confirmation of your application from SmartyGrants when your application has been accepted.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Late Submissions
Late submissions will generally not be accepted. However, consideration may be given to requests where the applicant can demonstrate significant issues outside of their control.
Where these issues prevent an application being made on time, you must make a request in writing to the Sound NSW team at info@sound.nsw.gov.au on or before the application closing date with supporting evidence.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Secretary, Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport (DCITHS).
Eligibility
Applications will be initially reviewed by Sound NSW staff to ensure they meet eligibility requirements, and all application materials are acceptable. Sound NSW reserves the right to seek further information from the applicant to determine eligibility.
If your application is deemed ineligible you will be notified by email within 14 days.
Application Review
If eligibility is confirmed, the application will be evaluated by an assessment panel of industry assessors against the assessment criteria and consistent with these guidelines.
Sound NSW aims to allocate:
- 50% of the program budget to applications for activity in Western Sydney and regional NSW
- additional priority will be given to events that support NSW Government priority groups.
Assessment panel members will be provided with the application(s) and each Assessment panel member will score the applicants responses against each criterion using the scoring methodology provided, prior to a formal panel meeting.
Assessment panel scores will be collated and discussed at an assessment panel meeting. Panel members will agree on final consensus scores for each applicant and each criterion. Applications must rate Claims fully substantiated against all criterion, to be recommended to the designated decision-maker for the award of a grant.
The assessment panel will make their recommendations to the designated decision-maker and successful applications will be approved by the Secretary DCITHS, who may delegate to a Deputy Secretary or Executive Director, based on recommendations from industry assessors.
Please note that funding allocation follows a competitive process. Evaluations will consider the assessment criteria outlined above and the availability of Sound NSW funds.
Application Outcome
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within twelve weeks of the closing date.
Sound NSW will provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants. The format of this feedback may vary depending on the quantity of applications and the resources available.
Assessment process considerations
Applicants should note that:
- the NSW Government typically receives far more applications than it can support
- you are not guaranteed funding even if your application meets the published criteria
- if you are successful, your application may not be funded to the amount you requested.
Sound NSW may, at its sole discretion and at any stage of the application process, do all or any of the following:
- require additional information from an applicant
- may request applicants to provide clarification or additional information regarding the eligibility criteria
- change the scope of the requirements of these guidelines
- vary, amend (including by replacement), or terminate the application process
- re-open an application after the closing date, provided it doesn’t give the applicant an advantage over other applicants
- consider any non-conforming or late application
- request further advice and/or clarification from applicants during the assessment process.
Successful grant applications
If your application is successful, you will be sent a funding agreement (contract), generally within one month of notification. This outlines the conditions of funding, how you will be paid and your grant reporting requirements.
Contracts will not be issued, and payments will not be made, until all Sound NSW and Create NSW outstanding acquittals have been submitted.
Sound NSW staff will review required reporting, outlined below, and may contact you for additional information as part of this process.
Payment will be dependent on when the signed Funding Agreement has been returned to Sound NSW, as well as any special conditions, variations or outstanding acquittals being satisfactorily completed.
Acknowledgement of Sound NSW
As a recipient of Government funding, you will be expected to acknowledge the support from Sound NSW in all publications, promotional and advertising materials and public announcements.
Reporting
Successful applicants will be required to provide a project and financial acquittal at the end of the funding period.
Program evaluation
The Program will be evaluated to measure how well the outcomes and objectives have been achieved.
We may collect and use information from your application and reports for this purpose. We may also interview you or ask you for more information to help us understand how the Program impacted you and to evaluate how effective the activity was in achieving its outcomes.
We may contact you up to three years after you receive the final grant payment associated with the grant round for more information to assist with this evaluation. Sound NSW and the NSW Audit Office reserves the right to undertake an audit of Program funding and support within seven years.
Support and contact
Sound NSW staff are available to provide technical advice and general information to potential applicants on the interpretation of these guidelines, including the types of activity eligible for funding and support with the online application process.
Sound NSW staff cannot help directly with your application. To maintain a fair and equitable process, staff cannot edit or correct any applications or provide advice on the content or choices required against the Assessment Criteria.
For further information or clarification, please contact:
Peter Keogh
Manager, Music Investment and Partnerships, Sound NSW
Email: info@sound.nsw.gov.au
Phone: (02) 9228 5368
Schedule an online meeting to speak to Sound NSW staff using the link to Microsoft Bookings.
For further information read the frequently asked questions.
Image: BARKAA performing at Yabun Festival, 2025. Photo by Joseph Mayers.
Complaint handling
Details on how we handle complaints, access to information and your private information is available at:
https://www.create.nsw.gov.au/about-us/feedback-complaints-privacy-and-government-information
Access to information
The Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA) provides for the proactive release of government information by agencies and gives members of the public an enforceable right to access government information held by an agency (which includes Ministerial offices). Access to government information is only to be restricted if there is an overriding public interest against disclosure.
The NSW Legislative Council has the power to order the production of State papers by the Executive Government. Standing Order 52 provides that the House may order documents to be tabled by the Government in the House. The Cabinet Office coordinates the preparation of the papers – that is, the return to order.
The return to order may contain privileged and public documents. Privileged documents are available only to members of the Legislative Council.
Note that documents submitted as part of a grant application may be subject to an application under GIPA or an order for papers under Standing Order 52.
Further information on how DCITHS holds information, and how to access it, is available at https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/dciths/policies-plans-and-procedures/access-to-information/agency-information-guide
Conflict of interest management
Any conflicts of interest will be managed in accordance with NSW Government Grants Administration Guide.
A conflict of interest, or perceived conflict of interest, may be identified if staff, any member of a committee or advisor and/or you or any of your personnel:
- has a professional, commercial, or personal relationship with a party who can influence the application selection process, or
- has a relationship with or interest in, an organisation, which is likely to interfere with or restrict the applicants from carrying out the proposed activities fairly and independently, or
- has a relationship with, or interest in, an organisation from which they will receive personal gain because the organisation received a grant under the grant program.
If you identify an actual, apparent, or perceived conflict of interest at any time, you must inform Sound NSW immediately. Staff can be contacted 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday via info@sound.nsw.gov.au or 02 9372 8662.
NSW Government staff, committee members and other officials including the decision maker must declare any conflicts of interest and ensure they are managed as per the DCITHS Code of Ethics and Conduct and the Grants Administration Guide.