Live music and performance grants

Support for capital expenditure investments to introduce or improve live entertainment.

Person playing a guitar and singing into a microphone with blue lighting all around them.

Applications are now closed

  • Recommendations to Council: 27 June 2022

About this program

We aim to increase the quantity and quality of live music and performance venues in our area.

To achieve this, we’ve expanded our business support program to include funding for new and existing live music and performance venues, rehearsal and recording studios and spaces for creative production and participation.

The live music and performance grant provides support for capital investments to introduce, grow or enhance the quality and quantity of live music and performance programming and creative spaces. Funds can go towards:

  • acoustic improvements to help manage sound transfer from venues to surrounding properties
  • investment in equipment or in-venue acoustics which improve audience experience
  • works that facilitate the introduction of live music or performance programming, cultural or creative production, or significantly improve or expand existing programming and facilities
  • works that improve the health and safety of audiences, performers and venue staff
  • new performance spaces in existing retail, hospitality and nightlife businesses
  • artist studios, rehearsal spaces and creative spaces in underused commercial property.

If you need development consent for your proposed activity, we may withhold all or a proportion of funding until you have received this. Our duty planner or area planning manager can advise if your project needs development consent.

Funding available

Up to $30,000 matched cash funding for capital improvements to premises associated with live music and performance and cultural production and participation. 

Applicants must match the funding requested with a financial contribution including hours worked equal to or greater than the funds requested.

Applications requesting the maximum amount available must show how these improvements will lead to significant benefit to the live music and performance industries.

Funding is available to support all costs associated with capital improvement projects. This can include professional advice, equipment, mechanical plant, labour, building works, fittings or fixtures.

Eligibility

Case studies

The following case studies describe example scenarios and how they may be eligible for funding.