Sound NSW All-Ages Live Music Programming 2026/27: Up to A$100,000 for Four Youth-Inclusive Shows
Up to A$100,000 for NSW all-ages music programmes
Sound NSW has opened its All-Ages Live Music Programming 2026/27 grant round, supporting organisers with a track record in contemporary live music to build new audiences and create a meaningful role for young people in event design and delivery. Applicants may request up to A$100,000 (excluding GST) for a series of at least four all-ages events staged in New South Wales. Applications close Monday 9 November 2026 at 2:00pm Sydney time (AEDT).
The scheme forms part of the NSW Government's Local Audience Development Grants, which also includes a separate contemporary music festival stream. A single festival or standalone concert does not qualify under the All-Ages Programming stream. The programme is directed at music industry operators and community partnerships, not individual musicians seeking payment simply to perform a gig.
Eligibility: the promoter and activities must be based in NSW
The applicant must be a music industry professional or music business currently based in New South Wales.
An active Australian Business Number (ABN) and bank account in the same name as the ABN are required.
The proposed series must include at least four events in NSW and predominantly feature local artists performing new and original contemporary music.
A relevant youth partner—such as a youth organisation, collective or young promoter—must collaborate in the actual design and delivery of the programme.
The events must provide significant participation or development outcomes for young people aged 12–24, rather than merely allowing them to purchase tickets.
Formal arrangements for paying artists and safe, accessible, legally compliant event operations are essential.
This is an NSW-local fund, not a global open call. The organiser specifically excludes experimental music and sound art, contemporary classical music, opera, music theatre, choral programming and relevant ensembles; those applicants are directed toward Create NSW's broader Arts and Cultural Funding Program instead. Pop, rock, R&B, rap, jazz and electronic promoters should still check how their proposed programming meets the official definition of eligible contemporary music.
Which event costs can be funded?
Sound NSW lists artist fees, payments for young consultants and mentors, project management and youth partner costs, technical production, travel and accommodation, targeted marketing, audience-data systems, event administration and reporting among eligible expenditure types. These must directly support the four-event or larger series and the involvement of younger audiences or young music workers.
The activity window runs from 1 February 2027 to 28 February 2028. Costs for activity before the permitted start date, equipment purchases, infrastructure and capital works, prizes, unrelated coursework and general fundraising do not qualify. Applicants should budget appropriate fees and superannuation obligations for performers and young collaborators rather than relying on unpaid work.
Regional NSW and Western Sydney receive a specific priority
The government intends to allocate 50% of the overall All-Ages Live Music Programming funding to Western Sydney and regional NSW projects. This allocation is a programme-level objective, not an automatic guarantee for every project in those areas. Proposed events should demonstrate how they meet a local audience need, involve local music communities and are planned with younger people.
A strong application may give a youth collective real responsibility for choosing acts, curating the event series or producing accessible promotional material. If the budget includes staff or mentor fees, show how the young people will learn, be paid fairly and gain usable industry experience. Confirm the participation of artists, venues and youth partners before treating the project as fully deliverable.
What the assessment panel looks for
Sound NSW examines three aspects: outcomes for young people (40%), benefit to the NSW contemporary music ecosystem (30%) and viability of the events (30%). A credible applicant should provide evidence of previous all-ages music programming, accessible youth consultation, an achievable timetable, artist and venue support letters, a budget and practical child-safety and audience management arrangements.
The application also asks for strategies for diversity, inclusion, climate sustainability, marketing to younger audiences and growth in local audiences. The funder can award less than the amount requested and may decline an otherwise eligible proposal because the funding pool is competitive.
Application checklist and deadline
Describe the applicant and provide an active ABN and matching bank account details.
Explain the event series, with at least four NSW shows and predominantly local original-music artists.
Identify the youth partner, specify shared tasks and include support letters.
Provide evidence of similar previous events and professional relationships with artists or venues.
Set out a detailed income and expenditure budget, realistic schedule, inclusion and safety measures.
Apply online through the linked Sound NSW SmartyGrants page by 9 November 2026 at 2:00pm AEDT.
Online applicants receive a SmartyGrants confirmation email when a submission is successfully received. New accounts should be created in advance; late applications are generally not accepted. Applicants must consider limits on other Sound NSW grants within a financial year, including the limit of one Local Audience Development application and two competitive Sound NSW grants.
Official information
Sound NSW programme and full eligibility: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/all-ages-live-music-programming-2026/27
Current online applications: https://soundnsw.qa.smartygrants.com.au/2627LMP
Funding questions and access assistance: info@sound.nsw.gov.au. The grant guidelines and live online form take precedence over this summary.