Sound NSW Introduce Venue Upgrade Grants To Boost State Live Music Scene

Sound NSW have introduced Venue Upgrade Grants, available to all eligible NSW live music venues, as a new funding initiative that’s set to boost the state’s live music scene tenfold.

The grants aim to increase the number of fit-for-purpose live music venues across the state, offering financial support to better equip venues with ways to enhance the patron experience. This can be through improved soundproofing, ventilation, audio visual technology, accessibility, production equipment and energy efficiency, cultivating a thrilling and diverse live music scene in NSW. The grants on offer can also be used to get expert advice from industry professionals on sustainability and maintenance of a live music venue.

As Sound NSW continue their work strengthening and stabilising the state’s thriving music scene, they are offering support to venues that fit two differing bills of live music programming. 

Program 1 best suits venues that demonstrate a commitment to increasing live music programming, offering grants of up to $20,000. That money can go toward advice from consultants and experts, including assessment reports to support any infrastructure ideas and developments, legal services and licensing consultants, development application and planning expenses, and energy efficiency audits.

Program 2 offers grants of up to $250,000 to dedicated live music venues in order to enhance the visitor experience. This funding will help support improvements in sound, lighting, staging equipment, audio-visual technology and other infrastructure development works.

The initiative, valued at $3 million, is part of a partnership between Sound NSW and the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner under Venues Unlocked which aims to explore more ways of bettering the live music industry across the state.

Speaking on the rollout of Venue Upgrade Grants, Head of Sound NSW Emily Collins, said: “Live music is at the heart of NSW’s vibrant cultural scene and Sound NSW is committed to ensuring our venues continue to thrive, now and in the years to come,”

“This initiative is designed to enhance the infrastructure and operations of venues, ensuring that venues across the state are well-equipped to deliver world-class experiences for artists and audiences alike,”

“This investment will help bring the best live music moments to our communities and create new opportunities for artists and venues to grow, making the live music industry stronger, more inclusive, and more sustainable.”

If you’re a venue owner looking to better your audience experience, applications for the Venue Upgrade Grants are now open. Check out more information on the initiative and apply here.