Live Performance Venue Program

The Live Performance Venue Program is a key element of the NSW Government's Venues Unlocked initiative, a partnership between Sound NSW and the Office of the 24-Hour Commissioner, to further support live music and hospitality businesses under the Vibrancy Reforms.

The program seeks to:

• connect existing hospitality venues with subject-matter experts

• facilitate connections between venues, artists, agents and other live performance industry affiliates

• increase industry capacity to diversify existing hospitality venues to offer live performance

• increase sector knowledge and expertise

• provide funding for live performance equipment purchase and install, and start-up programming and marketing costs

The program has two components:

Live Performance Venue Accelerator Program

Under the Live Performance Venue Accelerator Program, eligible hospitality businesses can develop relevant skills to diversify into live performance venues through specialist workshops, covering marketing, programming and essential equipment training. Round 2 applications closed on Monday 4 November 2024.

Live Performance Venue Grant Program

Open now: Eligible hospitality venues can apply to receive between $15,000 to $80,000 in Round 2 grant funding to purchase and install essential equipment including sound equipment, staging, programming and marketing to ensure best practice when running live performances. Round 2 applications close on 23 September 2025.

Attend a Live Performance Venue Grant Program information session

Attend a pre-application information session to receive an overview of the program, eligibility requirements and how to apply, followed by Q&A.

Register to attend one of the online information sessions now:

1. Wednesday 27 August at 4pm

2. Tuesday 2 September at 1pm

3. Tuesday 9 September at 11am

For more information, see our website or contact liveperformance@24houreconomy.nsw.gov.au.