Live music and performance grants

Improvements to premises associated with live music and performance to grow the quality and quantity of programming.

Projects can contribute to one or more of these outcomes:

• more diverse business offerings and programming at night
• increased quantity and quality of live music and performance programming
• improved acoustic performance and suitability of live music and performance venues.

Applications are assessed against the funding priorities and expected program outcomes. The assessment panel will also consider:

• evidence of the need, opportunity or demand within communities or a specific venue
• capacity and experience of the applicant to undertake and appropriately promote the activities
• an appropriate degree of market research and informed business planning to support a financially sustainable live music or performance program
• demonstrated understanding of how development consent and any other permits will be obtained, if required
• a commitment to support any required safety or precinct amenity provisions (such as lighting, security and cameras) to ensure the activity is introduced in a safe and integrated way for patrons, staff and the community, if applicable
• commitment and capacity to match the cash investment of the grant
• provision of at least two quotes for proposed works, if appropriate
• provision of required supporting documentation. 

For comprehensive information, including definitions and other details, refer to the business support grant program in the grants and sponsorship program guidelines.

To be eligible for funding an applicant must operate within the local area or be able to demonstrate benefits for the city’s residents, workers and/or visitors. Applicants must also apply for projects located in the local area.

The applicant must:

• be a not-for-profit, for-profit, or sole trader that is either:
  • a creative, retail, entertainment, tourism & accommodation or hospitality business
  • land owners wanting to activate vacant space for creative or night life uses
  • an arts/cultural operator based in the local area
• be the owner or tenant of the property where the activity will take place (and provide proof of owner’s consent).

• business and organisations that don’t align with those listed in the eligibility criteria
• projects located outside our area
• projects that directly contravene the eligibility and ethics framework or our existing policies
• costs associated with business as usual activities, permanent employees or ongoing operational costs
• purchase of buildings
• relocation of business or routine maintenance
• internal shop fittings including display shelves and painting
• properties owned by employees of the City of Sydney or other government agencies
• projects that rely on future recurrent funding.

Holcomb’s Still is a bar in the city centre. Established in 2010, it has a capacity of 200 people and focuses on American-influenced drinks and food.

Having established the business as a popular bar, the business owners have signed an additional 5-year lease and are planning to introduce live music on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with the possibility of weekend nights in the future.

They are seeking support to install a low-rise stage suitable for a band, as well as sound equipment and basic lighting.

A group of music community members want to create a not-for-profit all-ages music venue.

After securing a space in Chippendale with a development consent that covers the programming they want to do, they begin booking shows on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday afternoons.

After 3 months the management committee began receiving complaints from neighbours about sound impacts, especially from people entering and exiting the venue.

The committee decides they need professional advice on how to manage the issue, and make capital investments in the venue such as acoustic seals, double glazing, heavy curtains and a sound lock door.

The Spotted Pony is a heritage pub in Newtown. It has a well-known kitchen and bar, an outdoor beer garden and hosts a live music residency on Friday and Saturday nights.

The pub owners are approached by a local theatre group proposing to convert the first floor of the venue – currently used for storage – into an independent theatre for hire. The pub owners agree to provide the space and an initial investment towards its fit-out.

The theatre group develops a 3-year strategy focusing on the incremental development of the space.

In the first year, they decide to invest in basic lighting and sound equipment, seating and seating risers.