Venue Upgrade Grants

Dedicated live music venues:

• based in NSW
• that are licensed or unlicenced
• where live music is the primary function of the business
• programming live music that is predominantly new and original
• where live music is programmed for 3 nights a week at a minimum
• identified as essential to the live music ecosystem (touring or local)
• where original live music programming is prominent in the business marketing
• where a room or space is dedicated to live music and is a significant part (eg. more than 50%) of the venue and contains appropriate infrastructure to support regular performances, for example, a separate auditorium, lighting, a sound desk, etc
• has formal arrangements in place establishing payments for artist performances

Applicants must satisfy ONE of the following criteria:

• be an incorporated entity or trust (including a trust with a corporate or individual trustee) and hold an Australian Business Number (ABN), Australian Company Number (ACN), or
• be registered with NSW Fair Trading under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 or the Co-operatives National Law (NSW) set out in the appendix to the Co-operatives (Adoption of National Law) Act 2012

Applicants must also:

• hold a lease or occupancy agreement with at least 2 years from the application close date remaining of the current term (where the premises aren’t owned by the operator).
• hold a OneMusic licence
• provide relevant venue assessment reports (for infrastructure funding)

Ineligible applicants include

• any business or organisation located outside NSW
• venues with member-only access i.e. venues not usually accessible by the general public (e.g. venues primarily hosting private invite-only functions)
• venues with more than 10 gaming machines
• venues operated by Government (Federal, State or Local), or Education providers. Crown leased properties are eligible where operated by an otherwise eligible entity.
• venues with Producer / Wholesale, Limited, Pop-up or Packaged Liquor Licences
• religious institutions
• venues that are vessels (boats on water) or mobile venues of no fixed address
• venues unable to provide a co-contribution at least 30% of the overall project budget

Special consideration may be given to venues who do not meet the eligibility criteria if they can demonstrate significant contribution to the contemporary live music ecosystem. Please contact Sound NSW to discuss.

Any waiver of the eligibility requirements for applicants will be undertaken in accordance with the Grants Administration Guide and will be informed by whether the eligibility criteria would:

• lead to perverse or unfair outcomes;
• be contrary to policy intent;
• damage the reputation and integrity of the grant program

Any decision to waive eligibility criteria will be made by the decision maker at their absolute discretion.

See the guidelines for full details of organisational requirements.

Applications will be evaluated based on:

Criteria 1 – Impact to the contemporary live music ecosystem

• Evidence of new and original contemporary music programming, the established relationships with artist and music businesses and how this is increasing diversity of live music to improve audience experiences.

Criteria 2 – Benefit to the live music venue

• Evidence that this grant will enable improvements for the venue to be fit-for purpose, enhance expertise and establish best practice business operations.

Criteria 3 – Viability of the venue upgrades

• Demonstrate your capacity to deliver the venue upgrades and contribute financially.

See the guidelines for full details of the assessment criteria.

Applicants must:

• Read and understand the guidelines.
• Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
• Demonstrate a strong alignment with the fund’s objectives.
• Provide complete information requirements.

Applicants must submit the following as part of their application. These materials will all form part of the assessment.

• an outline of your experience in delivering contemporary music programming
• evidence of delivering contemporary music programming
• evidence of the venues impact on the contemporary live music ecosystem
• an outline of how the venue contributes to increasing diversity of live music offering to improve audience experiences
• an outline of how the grant will support improvements that enable the venue to be fit-for purpose
• an outline of how the grant will enhance expertise and establish best practice business operations.
• detailed project plan with proposed scope of work based on venue assessment reports
• relevant venue assessment reports (for infrastructure funding)
• a budget detailing income and expenditure, 30% co-contribution (cash and/or in-kind contributions). In kind contributions can include any donated goods, services or volunteer work to support a project
• a contingency fund of at least 10% and not included within the co-contribution
• copies of 2 quotes for each labour or purchase expense
• confirmation of the appropriate planning pathway for any works proposed (exempt, complying, DA).

See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.

Applications must be submitted via the SmartyGrants online portal.

Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.