All-Ages Live Music Programming

Key information

• Grant amount: Up to $100,000 (ex GST) to deliver a series of all-ages events (minimum 4)
• Application opens: 28 September 2026
• Application closes: 9 November 2026, 2:00 pm

Program objective

This funding program supports industry professionals and music businesses with a track record of delivering all-ages contemporary music events, and a commitment to collaborating with young people to program a series of events (minimum 4) that build new audiences.

The funding aims to:

• build new live music audiences in NSW
• increase the number and diversity of all-ages live music events across NSW
• create performance opportunities for emerging and established NSW artists
• build participation pathways for young people in live music programming and production
• deliver safe, accessible, and compliant events
• strengthen community participation particularly in Western Sydney and regional NSW
• contribute to the development of a sustainable, youth-inclusive live music ecosystem.

The Local Audience Development Grants are funded by the NSW Government and administered by Sound NSW within the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport.

This program is administered by Sound NSW (Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport).

Eligibility

Who can apply

Funding is available for industry professionals and music businesses.

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.

All-ages live music events must:

• be presented in NSW
• program new and original contemporary music
• predominantly program local music artists and acts
• program artists from NSW Government priority groups
• identify a relevant youth partner to collaborate with (including organisations, collectives and promoters) to design and deliver the live music event series
• provide significant outcomes for young people (aged 12 to 24 years)
• be committed to best industry practices and have formal arrangements in place establishing payments for artist performances.

For the purpose of this program:

• a minimum of four all-ages events need to be delivered
• young people or youth refers to the inclusion of young people aged between 12 and 24 years for the design and delivery of these events
• venues may apply age limitations to programming as per relevant compliance conditions for all-ages live music events (i.e under 18’s only)
• the events can be new or established
• the events can be ticketed or free to the public
• the events can take place in existing venues or outdoor locations for public use.

Artforms not supported through this program are:

• experimental music and sound art
• music theatre
• contemporary classical, opera, choral and ensembles.

These applicants should refer to Create NSW’s Arts and Cultural Funding Program (ACFP) guidelines.

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.

Number of applications

• you can only submit one application to one Local Audience Development Grants program each financial year
• you can only receive two Sound NSW grants in competitive programs per financial year.

Types of projects funded under this grant

Funding can support:

• development and delivery of new or ongoing all-ages live music programs (minimum 4 events)
• presentation of live performances by emerging and established NSW artists
• innovative programming formats (e.g. daytime shows, free entry, mixed-age performances)
• all-ages live music events in existing venues or outdoor locations for public use.

What costs you can apply for

Funding up to $100,000 can support costs for presenting all-ages music events (minimum 4) relating to:

• artist fees
• consultation fees for young people
• project management fees for the design and delivery of the events including the appointment of a youth partner (organisation, collectives or promoter)
• costs towards mentorship, training, or youth participation in event programming and production
• production costs to deliver the all-ages events
• salaries, wages and fees for staff and industry professionals involved with the delivery of the events
• travel and accommodation costs
• targeted marketing campaigns engaging young audiences
• development of audience data and reporting systems for evaluation
• program administrative costs – compliance documentation, post event reporting.

Who can’t apply

• industry professionals, businesses and organisations not based in NSW
• applicants not organising all-ages events in collaboration with a youth partner
• applicants that have already received two Sound NSW grants this financial year (based on closing date)
• applicants who have outstanding acquittals from previous NSW Government funding
• applicants planning festivals or one-off events (Please refer to Contemporary Music Festivals)
• applicants delivering events in the following artforms:
  • experimental music and sound art
  • contemporary classical, opera, choral and ensembles
  • music theatre.

What costs you can’t apply for

• events that do not engage young people aged between 12 and 24 years
• one-off events or festivals
• costs incurred before the advertised activity start date
• purchase of equipment
• infrastructure and capital works
• activities that directly support the delivery of 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

• applications must include a minimum of four all-ages events
• you must collaborate with a relevant youth partner (including organisations, collectives and promoters) in the design and delivery of the all-ages series
• activity cannot start before 1 February 2027 and must be completed by 28 February 2028.