Tone Shift

MusicNSW has announced Tone Shift – a microfund of up to $2,500 for women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming artists to purchase essential equipment, book studio time and access support for the creation and presentation of new work.

Tone Shift is a program supported by Sound NSW and is designed to meet artists where they genuinely are, by providing gear and access to recording spaces. The microfund is intended to lower the barrier to entry and equip the next generation of women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming artists with the gear they need to both create and to build sustainable careers in music.

Tone Shift aims to:

• Make it easier and more accessible for women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people to create music;
• Help increase the representation of women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people in the NSW music ecosystem;
• Support women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming artists to lay the foundations required to build sustainable careers in music.

A response to the Raising Their Voices (2022) report, Tone Shift was born out of the recommendations (13 & 14) made about the importance of targets and actions aimed at increasing equitable gender representation, as well as about linking public funding outcomes to inclusion and representation in terms of gender and other diversity metrics.

What can you apply for?

• Home recording: This includes – but is not limited to – software and hardware, such as microphones, audio interfaces, instruments, DAW license (with training) and plugins.
• Studio space: This includes – but is not limited to – booking professional recording sessions and studio hire required to rehearse, write, record and release your music.
• Performance: This includes – but is not limited to – equipment such as guitars, amps, CDJs, keyboards/synthesizers, drum kits and PA’s.‍

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Who can apply?

This opportunity is for artists who meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Have been based in NSW for a minimum of 12 months – if applying for an act/band, at least 50% of the band must reside in NSW.
• Identify as a woman, trans, non-binary of gender non-conforming.*
• Are a practicing contemporary music artist.
• Are 18 years or older.
• Have an ABN.

* For the purposes of this application, this includes trans people of all genders, including trans women, trans men, non-binary people, and people who may use terms such as agender, genderqueer, Sistergirl, Brotherboy, Leiti, Fa’afafine, Fa’afatama, Hijra, Waria, two-spirit and more to describe themselves.

How will applications be assessed?

A group of industry experts will assess applications based on how well they can answer the following questions:

• What stage are you currently at in your music career?
• Why is this microfund right for you at this current stage?
• How will you measure or demonstrate the impact of this microfund on your music practice?

Key dates

• Applications open: Thursday, 10 September 2026
• Applications close: Saturday, 31 October, 11:59pm (AEST)
• Applicants notified of outcome: January 2027