Music to the Ears: New Recording & Touring Grants Available

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. 

“We are determined to rebuild the touring circuit, up and down the NSW coast, through our inland tours and suburbs” —Minister for the Arts, John Graham

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. 

“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,” said Minister for the Arts John Graham.

“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.” 

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 $2,500 per person for domestic activity and up to $7,500 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 on 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, up to $50,000 for long-form releases, such as an album, or up to $25,000 matched funding for artists signed to a major label.