Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Up to $25,000 for short-form releases, up to $50,000 for long-form releases and up to $25,000 matched funding for releases by artists signed to a major label.
- Application opened: 20 March 2024
- Application closed: 17 April 2024, 5:00 pm
Program objective
Join an online information session on 28 March or 4 April to learn more about the program.
Funding can support recording and promotion activities for:
- short-form releases (e.g. a single or EP) up to $25,000
- long-form releases (e.g. an album) up to $50,000
- releases by artists signed to a major label, with matched funding up to $25,000.
The project must:
- record and promote new and original music by NSW-based artists
- allocate at least 20% of the funding request towards promotion costs
- ensure at least 60% of the budget is spent in NSW to benefit local music businesses and industry professionals
- be undertaken between 1 June 2024 and 30 June 2025.
Project funding objectives:
- increase the creation and recording of new and original music by NSW artists
- increase professional capability in the promotion and marketing of new and original recordings by NSW artists
- support the promotion of contemporary music by NSW artists
- provide professional development opportunities for NSW artists
- generate additional business opportunities within the NSW music industry
- enable employment opportunities within the music industry workforce
- ensure a diverse contemporary music sector in NSW.
This grant is funded and administered by Sound NSW.
Image Credit: Snappatronik, 2017 Mirrah and L-FRESH The LION performing live at the annual 4Elements HipHop Festival (4ESydney) in Bankstown
This program is administered by Create NSW.
This program is funded by Sound NSW.
Eligibility
Who can apply
An artist who:
- is 18 years or older
- currently lives in NSW (minimum 12 months)
- is an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- has at least one publicly available release
An act with:
- members who are all 18 years or older
- at least 50% of members currently living in NSW (minimum 12 months)
- members who are all Australian citizens or permanent residents
- at least one publicly available release
A music industry professional, business or organisation applying on behalf of an artist or act who:
- are all 18 years or older
- are currently living in NSW (minimum 12 months)
- are all Australian citizens or permanent residents
- has at least one publicly available release
Note: For the purpose of this program:
- artist refers to any musician, performer or producer who is recording or performing new and original music
- act refers to two or more artists working together to record or perform new and original music (eg a band or group)
ABN Business Number (ABN) Requirements
As an artist based in NSW you can apply with:
- an Individual/Sole Trader ABN OR
- if you are the sole director of a private company, the ABN for that company OR
- a nominated Funds Administrator OR
- none of the above, but, if successful, will obtain an Individual/Sole Trader ABN or engage a Funds Administrator.
As an act based in NSW you can apply with:
- an act member’s Individual/Sole Trader ABN OR
- a partnership ABN OR
- an Unincorporated Entity ABN OR
- a nominated Funds Administrator OR
- none of the above, but, if successful, will obtain an eligible ABN or engage a Funds Administrator.
As a business or organisation are you applying with:
- your organisation’s ABN.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Funding can support recording and promotion activities for:
- short-form releases (e.g. a single or EP) up to $25,000
- long-form releases (e.g. an album) up to $50,000
- releases by artists signed to a major label, with matched funding up to $25,000.
The project must:
- record and promote new and original music by NSW-based artists
- allocate at least 20% of the funding request towards promotion costs
- ensure at least 60% of the budget is spent in NSW to benefit local music businesses and industry professionals.
What costs you can apply for
Funding is available for the creation, recording and promotion of new and original work including:
- creative development
- studio hire, equipment hire, audio engineers, session musician fees
- recording, mixing and mastering
- pressing and manufacturing
- digital marketing, publicity services and content creation.
Who can’t apply
- applicants who do not live in NSW, or who have lived in NSW less than 12 months
- applicants on a major label that are unable to secure matched funding
- applicants not applying for funding for recording new and original work
- applicants who have outstanding acquittals from previous NSW Government funding.
What costs you can't apply for
- recording and promotion of your first release
- recording and promotion projects created with teams mostly operating outside of NSW
- recording and promotional costs incurred before the advertised project start date
- national and international touring. Please refer to the Touring and Travel Fund
- recording projects that have received other NSW Government funding
Additional eligibility requirements
- artists must have at least one publicly available release
- artists signed to a major label must secure matched funding
- projects must record and promote new and original music by NSW-based artists
- at least 20% of the funding request needs to go towards promotion costs
- at least 60% of the budget needs to be spent in NSW.
Most recent recipients
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Grant Application
- an artist bio
- an outline of your recording project, including how the activity will develop your skills and benefit your music career
- an outline of the recording, marketing and promotion plan
- a budget detailing income and expenditure
- links to examples of your music (up to 5 mins of audio or video that highlight your previous work)
- confirmation from key personnel involved, including artists, producers, engineers, mixers, publicists, content creators, etc
- for artists signed to a major label, a letter of confirmation from the major label outlining their matched financial contribution. Please note, in-kind label services cannot contribute to the matched funding.
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
Artist Experience (30%)
Evidence of previous work, industry relationships and support.
Tell us in detail about:
- the key achievements of previous releases
- the key artists and music businesses involved
- summary of career to date.
Impact of the recording project (40%)
The benefit to career development, overview of the release and promotional plan, rationale of proposed activity and how the project contributes to a diverse contemporary music sector in NSW.
Tell us in detail about:
- the benefit of this project to your skills and career development
- your plans for releasing the recorded work, including any key partners
- your plans for promoting the recorded work, including any key partners
- rationale behind timing and delivery of proposed project
- how the work contributes to a diverse contemporary music sector in NSW
- how the work will support the development of First Nations, or female and/or non-binary, music artists.
Sound NSW is committed to a diverse contemporary music sector in NSW and encourages applications from First Nations people, people who identify as women and non-binary, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people from Western Sydney and regional and remote communities.
Viability of the recording project (30%)
Your capacity to deliver the project, timelines and how the budget will be managed.
Tell us in detail about:
- your capacity and experience to deliver the project
- key dates and activities, descriptions, and the location of your project
- key people and partners involved in the release and promotion of the work, including confirmation of their involvement
- how you will spend the amount you are requesting from Sound NSW, including a breakdown of your total project costs and any other investment in the project
Start the application
To apply for funding, you will need to complete and submit the relevant application form through our secure online grants system SmartyGrants.
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: Head of Sound NSW
An assessment panel including one Sound NSW staff member and two industry experts will assess applications based on the weighted assessment criteria.
- artist experience (30%)
- impact of the recording project (40%)
- viability of the recording project (30%).
50% of the program budget will be allocated to applications from women and non-binary artists.
Successful applications will be approved by the Head of Sound NSW based on written recommendations from a panel consisting of Sound NSW staff and industry peers.
Application Outcome
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application under embargo in May 2024.
Funding Payment
If your application is successful, you will be sent a Funding Agreement/Letter of Offer. This outlines the conditions of funding, how you will be paid and your grant reporting requirements.
Payment will be dependent on when the signed Funding Agreement/Letter of Offer 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 professional development activity/s publications, promotional and advertising materials, public announcements, and professional development activities.
Unsuccessful applicants
Unsuccessful applicants will be provided an opportunity for feedback by Sound NSW.
Support and contact
Sophie McComish:
- Music Liaison Officer
- Email: soundnsw@create.nsw.gov.au
- Phone: (02) 9372 8662
- Sound NSW
Find the answers to frequently asked questions here.