Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Up to $2,500 per person for domestic activity and up to $7,500 per person for international activity.
- Application opened: 20 March 2024
- Application closed: 17 April 2024, 5:00 pm
Program objective
Due to high demand, the Touring and Travel Fund $2m budget is close to being fully expended. As a result, Sound NSW will close applications for this grant at 5pm on Wednesday 17th April. The program will continue to operate on a first come, first served basis and it is likely that some applications received before the cut off will not receive funding.
Join an online information session on 28 March or 4 April to learn more about the program.
Funding can support domestic and international travel and accommodation costs for:
- tours by artists performing new and original contemporary music
- performance at significant music industry events by artists performing new and original contemporary music
- artist managers representing artists performing new and original contemporary music to attend key music industry events and develop new markets.
Funding can support up to six people per touring party (eg artists, managers, technical production crew, additional support for people with disability, family or cultural needs).
Sound NSW may consider supporting travel and accommodation costs for more than six people for larger groups or with additional support needs. Please speak to Sound NSW staff for further advice.
Applications will be considered on a ‘first-in, first-served’ basis, and funds allocated until the budget is exhausted or the round closes, whichever comes first.
Activity must take place between 1 April 2024 and 30 June 2025.
You can receive a maximum of one domestic and one international grant through this program in FY24.
Program funding objectives:
- increase performance opportunities for NSW artists
- develop new audiences for NSW artists
- provide professional development opportunities for NSW artists and industry professionals
- enable employment opportunities within the music industry workforce
- support business development opportunities for NSW artists and artist managers
- ensure a diverse contemporary music sector in NSW
- support the development and promotion of contemporary music globally, domestically and across NSW.
This grant is funded and administered by Sound NSW.
Image Credit: Ruby Boland, 2023 Annie Hamilton performing live
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
- performs new and original work.
An act:
- with members who are all 18 years or older
- with at least 50% of members currently living in NSW (minimum 12 months)
- with members who are all Australian citizens or permanent residents
- that performs new and original work.
An artist manager who:
- is 18 years or older
- currently lives in NSW (minimum 12 months)
- is an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- represents an artist or act that performs new and original work.
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).
A significant event is a music industry conference, event or festival, either domestically or internationally, where an artist, act or artist manager will be presented with opportunities to progress their careers. These events will provide showcasing opportunities to global industry professionals, networking events to engage in business activity and conference sessions to build knowledge, all for the purpose of enhancing career pathways, and business and audience development.
ABN Business Number (ABN) Requirements
As an artist or artist manager 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.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Funding can support domestic and international travel and accommodation costs for:
- tours by artists performing new and original contemporary music
- performance at significant music industry events by artists performing new and original contemporary music
- artist managers representing artists performing new and original contemporary music to attend key music industry events and develop new markets.
Funding can support up to six people per touring party (eg artists, managers, technical production crew, additional support for people with disability, family or cultural needs).
Sound NSW has discretionary approval to support more than six people within a travelling party where specific support needs are identified. Applicants should speak to Sound NSW staff for further advice.
You can receive a maximum of one domestic and one international grant through this program in FY24.
What costs you can apply for
Funding supports travel and accommodation costs only, for domestic and international activity.
Travel and accommodation costs can include flights, trains, bus, car hire, petrol, tolls, airport transfers, insurance, per diems and accommodation.
Funding can support:
- up to $2,500 per person for domestic activity
- up to $7,500 per person for international activity.
Who can’t apply
- applicants who do not live in NSW, or who have lived in NSW less than 12 months
- applicants not performing new and original work
- applicants who have outstanding acquittals from previous NSW Government funding
- applicants who are not artists, acts or artist managers
- applicants who receive a domestic travel grant through this program in FY24 cannot apply again for domestic travel support in FY24
- applicants who receive an international travel grant through this program in FY24 cannot apply again for international travel support in FY24.
What costs you can't apply for
- tours that don’t include at least three performances outside the performer’s resident city
- performance at key music industry events within the performer’s resident city
- travel and accommodation costs incurred before the advertised project start date
- touring projects that have received other NSW Government funding.
Additional eligibility requirements
- applications for a tour require confirmation of at least three performances outside of the performer’s resident city.
- applications for performance at a significant music industry event require confirmation of invitation to perform outside of the performer’s resident city
- applications for artist manager travel require evidence of an invitation or business opportunity outside of the manager’s resident city.
Most recent recipients
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Grant Application
- an artist’s bio or artist manager’s CV
- an impact statement outlining how the proposed activity will benefit your career development and identify the importance of undertaking the activity now
- a tour plan including itinerary and promotional activity
- a budget detailing income and expenditure
- links to an example of your music (up to 5 mins of audio or video that highlight your previous work)
- confirmation of at least three performances outside of the performer’s resident city (for a tour)
- invitation to perform at a key music industry event outside of the performer’s city (for performance at a key music industry event).
- invitation to attend a key music industry event or evidence of a business opportunity (for artist manager travel)
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
Application Review
Sound NSW will internally review applications based on the eligibility criteria.
Applications that meet the eligibility criteria will be approved, in order of being received, until the budget is exhausted.
Successful applications will be approved by the Head of Sound NSW, based on recommendations from Sound NSW staff.
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Head of Sound NSW
Sound NSW will internally review applications based on the eligibility criteria.
Applications that meet the eligibility criteria will be approved, in order of being received, until the budget is exhausted.
Application Outcome
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within two weeks of applying.
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.
Anticipated assessment outcome date is Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within two weeks of applying.
Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is 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.
Support and contact
Peter Keogh
- Manager Music Investment and Partnerships
- Email: soundnsw@create.nsw.gov.au
- Phone: (02) 9228 5368
- Create NSW, Sound NSW
Find the answers to frequently asked questions here.