Clubs Supporting the Arts, Culture & Creative Industries

Venues, such as the Broken Hill Musician’s Club and Mounties, have gone above and beyond in supporting artistic and cultural activity.

The Musician’s Club recently acquired the Silver City Cinema, rescuing the precinct from permanent closure, and has since hosted charity events and provided complimentary movie screenings.

In 2022, the Mounties Group hosted a singing competition aimed at showcasing the talents of emerging artists within the local community.

These performance experiences foster the growth of aspiring entertainers and facilitate connections among local community members, contributing to positive mental health and wellbeing.

Earlier this year, the NSW Government announced the development of its first-ever integrated Arts, Culture and Creative Industries Policy. Create NSW sought advice from professionals in the creative industry, musicians, industry associations and local community members.  

ClubsNSW prepared a submission in response to the NSW Arts, Culture and Creative Industries Discussion Paper. Member clubs were engaged about their experiences coordinating live entertainment, including challenges faced when organising and providing entertainment options for members and guests, to support our response.

Clubs revealed they face significant limitations in supporting artists due to noise-related licencing conditions, extended trading restrictions, and the lack of centralised coordination. Certain challenges have resulted in permanent restrictions on hosting live entertainment in a particular venue, which impacts artists from finding paid work and depriving community members of recreation.

ClubsNSW proposed three recommendations designed to support clubs in their efforts to bolster the creative industries across metro and regional areas. These suggestions also aim to address the issues venues face in expanding live entertainment offerings at their premises. Recommendations included:  

• introducing an expiry of licence conditions that limit or prevent live entertainment in a club
• providing additional support for clubs that host live music, performances, and other arts and cultural events
• introducing tailored grants to assist clubs with capital works projects and purchasing specific equipment supporting artists
• expanding the definition of a ‘live music venue’ so more clubs can access fee reductions for annual liquor licence and permanent extended trading applications
• facilitating increased partnerships between the arts sector and club industry through an online network.

The NSW Government will share their insights from town hall sessions and submissions soon. The NSW Arts, Culture and Creative Industries Policy is expected to be delivered by the end of 2023. Member clubs can stay informed by visiting here.