Venues Unlocked: Live Performance Venue Grant Program 23/24

Venues Unlocked: Live Performance Venue Grant Program 23/24

The Live Performance Venue Grant Program will provide funds to support and increase the number of existing hospitality venues staging live performance - offered as an additional service, complementary, and secondary to their primary purpose.

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Key information

  • Status: Closed
  • Grant amount: From $20,000 to $80,000
  • Application opened: 29 February 2024
  • Application closed: 3 April 2024, 2:00 pm

Program objective

The purpose of the Live Performance Venue Grant Program is to:

  • increase the number of hospitality venues staging live performance in the NSW Six Cities Region
  • increase the number and diversity of live performances in the night-time economy
  • create employment opportunities for those working in the live performance sector e.g. artists, audio-visual professionals, hospitality and venue staff.

Review the guidelines and frequently asked questions. The Live Performance Venue Grant is open to eligible applicants and will be assessed on a competitive basis.

On 18 April 2024, the Secretary, Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade (now Secretary Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport) approved the Live Performance Venue Grant total award pool to be increased from $2,305,000 to $3,305,000. An additional grant award pool increase of $200,000 was approved by the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner on 3 June 2024, taking the total approved award pool to $3,505,000.

This increase in grant award pool did not change assessment processes or outcomes.

Image credit: Top row, left to right: Photo: National Art School; Dance Battle, Photo: Anna Hay; Photo: Joseph Mayers. Bottom row, left to right: Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Casula. Photo: Destination NSW; Archie Party, 2023. Photo: Benny Clark.

This program is administered by Create NSW.

Eligibility

1

Who can apply

Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria, and provide evidence as outlined in the application form.

To be eligible, Applicant venues must:

  • Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN), Australian Company Number (ACN) or be registered as an incorporated association with NSW Fair Trading under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009
  • Be an existing: restaurant; bar; café; brewery or distillery; registered club; and/or hotel that:
    • Has the relevant development consent, including occupation certificate in force as its primary purpose;
    • Provides a commercial on-premise food and/or beverage offering;
    • Be located within an eligible LGA (please see Appendix);
    • Have a maximum total venue capacity of 300 patrons (total venue capacity refers to the venue in its entirety (combined indoor and outdoor), not smaller spaces/venues within a larger venue);
    • Not be owned and managed within a larger complex that exceeds 300 patrons;
    • Possess relevant approvals to operate at least twice per week after 5pm;
    • If not owned by the applicant, hold a lease of the hospitality venue with a minimum period of 12 months remaining of the lease term (excluding any option to renew) from 3 April 2024; and
    • Have both business owner and venue building owner support for the project

Location that are eligible include Bayside, Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Burwood, Camden, Campbelltown, Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Central Coast, Cessnock, City of Parramatta, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Inner West, Kiama, Ku-Ring-Gai, Lake Macquarie, Lane Cove, Liverpool, Maitland, Mosman, Newcastle, North Sydney, Northern Beaches, Penrith, Port Stephens, Randwick, Ryde, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Strathfield, Sutherland Shire, Sydney, The Hills Shire, Waverley, Willoughby, Wollondilly, Wollongong, Woollahra

2

Who the grant is targeted towards

Existing small to medium hospitality venues (being those with a maximum venue capacity of 300 patrons), who meet the eligibility criteria and that do not currently stage a regular and recurring program of live performance, but have a desire to diversify their business to do so.

The Program would suit a venue that has an existing space that could be dedicated to live performance, without needing to undergo significant structural alterations to the venue.

3

Types of projects funded under this grant

Eligible project costs include:

  • Equipment: the purchase and installation of equipment to facilitate the staging of live performance, including (but not limited to):
    • Speakers
    • PA systems or microphones
    • Mixing desk
    • Lighting
    • Soundproofing equipment
    • Audio-visual equipment training for venue staff
    • Acoustic venue review by an acoustic consultant·
  • Venue: minor venue improvements for the purpose of staging live performance, that do not require development consent, such as staging, and soundproofing treatments.
  • Programming after 5pm: the payment of live performance artists scheduled as part of a regular, recurring and ongoing program of live performance at the venue.
    • Venues currently staging live performance must only spend grant funding on programming that is in addition to their normal live performance offering. Programming payments made between June 2024 to June 2025 will be considered as eligible costs.
    • Live performances staged as a result of grant funding must be held in an enclosed indoors venue, unless the venue possesses the relevant approvals to stage outdoor performances.
  • Marketing of live performances after 5pm:
    • paid marketing and social media campaigns directly relating to live performance at the venue, up to June 2025, including:
    • advertising and/or marketing campaigns (including design and production costs)
    • brand and asset development
    • public relation activity
    • up to 30% of total funding requested can be used for marketing costs
4

When the project can start and end

The project should be started by 1 June 2024 and the project must be completed by 30 June 2025.

5

Who can’t apply

Ineligible applicants include:

  • Any hospitality venue that does not satisfy the eligibility criteria
  • Any hospitality venue operated by federal, state or local government
  • Educational institutions
  • Venues that are prohibited from staging live performance or entertainment in their venue, as a condition on their development consent, liquor licence, or any other regulatory documentation or legal requirement
  • Religious institutions
  • Entertainment facilities

Applications that do not supply the required information and evidence may be deemed ineligible at the discretion of the Department. The Department reserves the right to request applicants provide further information that is required during the application assessment process.

6

What costs you can't apply for

Costs and activities ineligible for funding include:

  • Capital works, structural changes/upgrades or internal refurbishment or fit-out works which require development consent
  • Rent, outgoings and utilities
  • General maintenance and repairs
  • Equipment purchases not directly related to staging live performance
  • Leasing of equipment
  • The payment of a third party to program live performances in the venue
  • More than 30% of the total funding request to be used for marketing costs
  • Funding for one-off special events, such as fundraisers or single headline acts
  • Costs for live performances, activities and any expenditure of the grant funding that takes place prior to June 2024 or after June 2025
  • Any activities, goods or services that take place, or are utilised, outside of the nominated venue
  • Live performances and activities that take place prior to 5pm
  • Costs incurred after June 2025.

Note that the inclusion of ineligible costs and activities in your application may result in the grant funding amount being reduced, or your application removed from consideration altogether, at the discretion of the Department.

7

What co-contributions are required

Applicants are required to co-contribute at least 30% of the requested funding amount. For example, a funding request of $80,000 requires a minimum co-contribution of $24,000. Based on this request, the total project budget will be a minimum of $104,000.

A maximum of 50% of the co-contribution can be in-kind.

8

Additional eligibility requirements

Live performance definition

Eligible live performance includes, but is not limited to:

  • Theatre and musical theatre
  • Live music
  • Cabaret
  • Opera
  • Dance performances
  • Classical music and choral performances
  • Poetry slams and readings
  • Comedy
  • Live immersive and interactive experiences
  • Live DJs

Other eligible live performance activities may be included at the discretion of the assessment panel.

Most recent recipients

All recipients (56)

What your application needs to include

1

Prepare your application with this checklist

What your grant application needs to include

Eligibility evidence

Total venue capacity of 300 patrons or less:

  • Such as a development consent, liquor licence or fire safety certificate stating maximum venue capacity.
  • If the capacity is not stated on the above documentation, the venue must provide a letter from a building surveyor (unrestricted) accredited by NSW Department of Customer Service. Total venue capacity refers to the venue in its entirety (indoor and outdoor), not smaller spaces/venues within a larger venue.

Evidence of permission to operate after 5pm at least twice a week:

  • A copy of your development consent, or liquor licence stating approved trading hours. If differing trading hours appear in multiple documents, the most restrictive trading hours apply

Proof of venue licence agreement for the presentation of live music or performance:

  • Copy of a relevant OneMusic licence or commitment to obtain one prior to execution of funding agreement, if successful

Supporting information:

  • Such as letters of support from stakeholders/ the local community

A Project Budget that includes:

A breakdown of costs associated with the delivery of the project. This includes itemised spend for any of the below items:

  • Equipment
  • Programming
  • Marketing

Market value for any labour or goods purchases:

  • At least one quote for any purchase should be provided to demonstrate value for money

Applicant co-contribution:

  • A minimum co-contribution of 30% of the requested funding amount. For example, a funding request of $80,000 requires a minimum co-contribution of $24,000. Based on this request, the total project budget will be a minimum of $104,000
  • A maximum of 50% of the co-contribution can be in-kind.

Viability

  • 12-month operational forecasts

Project plan that includes

Frequency of current live performance activities

  • How often your venue stages live performance

Current venue staffing levels

  • Number of employees e.g. venue staff, AV operators, talent/performers

A vision for the venue (the project)

  • Outline of proposed live performance offering

A timeline for delivery of the project by 2025

  • All grant funding to be expended by 30 June 2025, and regular live performance programming to have commenced by 30 June 2025

How the project will be implemented

  • Evidence of how the project will be managed, including personnel and monetary resourcing, best-practice artist engagement, and how project progress will be monitored

A draft minimum 3-month live performance programming schedule

  • Frequency of programming should be proportionate to the community need and capability of the venue

A forward plan of marketing activities

  • An outline of frequency and proposed marketing activity type appropriate to the frequency of live performance schedule and target audience
2

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.

3

Address the assessment criteria

1. Viability (30%) - Evidence that the applicant has a clear and viable plan to deliver the Project within the delivery dates of June 2024 to June 2025, including

  • A thorough project plan and timeline
  • A detailed budget showing:
    • Projected costs of how grant funding will be spent
    • Applicant’s co-contribution breakdown
    • 12-month operational forecast
  • Evidence of value for money
  • Evidence the venue has sought expert advice in relation to appropriate equipment for their performance space
  • A draft programming plan
  • A draft marketing plan

2. Contribution to the live performance sector (25%) - Evidence that grant funding has the potential to significantly increase the volume and frequency of live performance in the venue. Considerations include:

  • The venue’s current ability to stage live performance
  • The venue’s current frequency/volume of live performance
  • The expected increase in live performance as a result of grant funding; and
  • Alignment to Program objectives

3. Need (10%) - Consideration of the venue’s current resources, ownership structure and access to support, including:

  • Whether the venue is independently owned or part of a larger hospitality group
  • Whether the venue already has infrastructure and processes in place to stage live performance

4. Community benefit (15%)- Evidence that the venue’s project has the potential to significantly increase the vibrancy and diversity of the local night-time economy, for example:

  • The proposed project addresses a community need
  • The project fills a gap in the local night-time economy 
  • The project plan significantly contributes to the variety and offering of night-time live performance in the local area
  • The application provides evidence of support from relevant local stakeholders/community members

5. Risk (20%)- Relevant factors and risks as determined by the Department, including, but not limited to:

  • Compliance with NSW liquor laws, and any previous breaches
  • Compliance with the conditions of development consent, and any previous breaches
  • Consideration of the business or company’s management, its directors and officers or any other individuals that exercise control over an applicant
  • Assessment of other factors that may cause applicants to be unsuitable for support, such as any personnel or business activities that could cause reputational or other risk to the NSW Government
  • Previous breaches of any NSW Government funding agreements previously entered into by the applicant, its management, directors, officers, or individuals that exercise control over an applicant

After the application is submitted

Successful applications will be decided by: The Secretary, Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade

Eligibility Check 

An eligibility check of all applications will be completed by the Department. The Department may contact and provide information from your application to other NSW Government departments, agencies and other sources such as a probity advisor to verify information provided, and to assist in the assessment process. Applications containing insufficient, incomplete or incorrect information may be deemed ineligible.

Assessment Stage 

Eligible applications will be assessed by a panel consisting of relevant senior representatives from NSW Government departments, such as Hospitality and Racing, the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner and Create NSW. The panel may seek advice from external experts. The assessment process will be overseen by independent probity advisor, O’Connor Marsden.

Decision Making

Successful applications will be approved by the Secretary, Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade based on written recommendations from the assessment panel. All applicants will be notified of their application outcome, in writing, by end of May 2024. If successful applicants are notified under embargo, they will not be permitted to publicise the outcome until the announcement has been made by the relevant Minister or by the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner.

Anticipated assessment outcome date is 05/2024

Anticipated date for funding deed execution with successful applicants is Funding Agreements will be sent within 1 month of notification.

Support and contact

For further information or clarification, please contact Office of the 24-Hr Economy Commissioner staff between 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) at liveperformance@24houreconomy.nsw.gov.au

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