Musicians and artists are set to receive a boost under the NSW Labor Government with the opening of grants focused on rebuilding the NSW touring circuit.
Sound NSW’s new Touring and Travel Fund and Recording and Promotion Grants will inject $3 million into the local contemporary music sector to deliver more new and original music, enable touring opportunities, and open doors for career-defining professional development.
With a focus on fostering growth and sustainability for the contemporary music industry, the programs support NSW artists to be globally competitive, develop industry networks and connect with new audiences locally and internationally.
Touring and Travel Fund
Designed to address the time-sensitive nature of venue availability and performance opportunities, Sound NSW’s $2 million Touring and Travel Fund offers quick response grants of up to $2500 per person for domestic activity and up to $7500 per person for international activity.
Applications for Sound NSW’s Touring and Travel Fund will be assessed on a quick-response basis against eligibility criteria.
Applications open on 20 March via nsw.gov.au/sound-nsw and close 20 May 2024.
Recording and Promotion Grants
Sound NSW’s $1 million Recording and Promotion Grants program will support NSW contemporary musicians to record and release new, original creative projects. NSW artists can apply for grants of:
- up to $25,000 for short-form releases, such as a single or EP
- up to $50,000 for long-form releases, such as an album
- up to $25,000 matched funding for artists signed to a major label.
Applications open 20 March and close 17 April 2024 at nsw.gov.au/sound-nsw
Minister for the Arts John Graham said:
“We are determined to rebuild the touring circuit, up and down the NSW coast, through our inland tours and suburbs. This fund will do just that.
“We’re delivering on our commitment to bring music back in NSW with this much-needed investment. These fast-response grants will support more new and original music from our musicians, enable tours across Australia and the world, and move NSW a step closer to being a global powerhouse for contemporary music.”
Head of Sound NSW Emily Collins said:
“Recording, releasing and performing new music is essential to the contemporary music industry and the growth and sustainability of artists’ careers, but the upfront costs are often greater than the income generated for many musicians.
“Sound NSW is excited to help bridge this gap by providing this vital funding, removing these prohibitive barriers and supporting NSW artists to do what they do best – making great music.”