News

This week the Federal Government has announced The Live Music Australia program, which is a competitive grants opportunity for small to medium sized venues that support quality original Australian live music.

Visit the Live Music Australia Homepage

  • The Live Music Australia program is focused on supporting small to medium venues that stage quality original Australian live music. Businesses can be located anywhere in Australia, including suburban, regional and remote regions
  • The Australian Government will provide a total of $20 million over four years for the Live Music Australia program. There will be $2.5 million funding available in each round.There are two funding rounds each year
  • The first year of funding in 2020–21 includes support for activities that assist live music venues to become operational following the impacts of COVID-19 on the industry
  • Expressions of interest are being sought for qualified music industry representatives to assist in the assessment of applications to the Live Music Australia program. For more information please visit the Contemporary Music page

Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the first year of the new live music program has been adapted to assist in recovery from COVID-19.

“This program will help the live music scene to adapt in this changing environment by supporting venues to host gigs, performances and tours of local talent as restrictions ease,” Minister Fletcher said.

“I encourage pubs, clubs and venues around the country to apply for funding through the new Live Music Australia program so they can get back on their feet and be ready to open their doors to once again bring live home-grown music to Australian audiences.

“There will be a particular focus on small to medium-sized venues, which provide professional staging for quality original Australian live music both to support emerging talent and provide established musicians a setting to reconnect with their fans.”

The program is part of the Government’s $30.9 million Australian Music Industry Package, announced in March 2019.

For more information about Live Music Australia visit arts.gov.au/contemporary-music and to apply for Live Music Australia funding visit arts.gov.au/funding-and-support/live-music-australia.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Sunday 13 September.