Apply now for Contemporary Music Festivals – 2026/27 (Australia)

Sound NSW (Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport) offers funding to support local contemporary music festivals that build audiences, promote NSW music, and strengthen community connection through music. The program is open for applications from 28 September 2026 and closes on 9 November 2026 at 2:00 pm (time zone not specified in the source). Eligible applicants may receive up to $100,000 for festivals with up to 12,000 capacity, or up to $250,000 for festivals over 12,000 capacity. Opportunity at a Glance

- Opportunity name: Contemporary Music Festivals – 2026/27

- Funding provider: Sound NSW (NSW Government, administered by Sound NSW within the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport)

- Opportunity status: Open

- Grant amount (by festival capacity):

- Up to $100,000 for festivals with up to 12,000 capacity - Up to $250,000 for festivals with over 12,000 capacity

- Application opens: 28 September 2026

- Application closes: 9 November 2026, 2:00 pm (time zone not specified in the source)

- Activity timing requirement: Must not start before 1 February 2027 and must be completed by 28 February 2028

About the Opportunity

This funding program supports local contemporary music festivals designed to: - build audiences and promote NSW music - increase local artist engagement with their local music scene or community - expand opportunities for all ages music event programming - strengthen community participation, particularly in Western Sydney and regional NSW - amplify the work of NSW Government priority communities to help build a diverse contemporary music sector The program supports festivals that also foster community connection through music, including through collaboration with local venues and community organisations. Funding and Benefits Funding is provided to support costs for programming and presenting contemporary music festivals. Grant limits (based on festival capacity): - Up to $100,000 for festivals with capacity up to 12,000 - Up to $250,000 for festivals with capacity over 12,000 Costs the grant can support (as listed in the source): - artists fees - salaries, wages and fees for staff and industry professionals involved in delivery - production costs to deliver the festival - marketing and promotion - travel and accommodation costs - administrative costs Key musician fee requirement (minimum fees for musicians): - The NSW Government requires that all musicians involved in publicly funded events receive a minimum performance fee of $250 (plus superannuation). - Applicants must demonstrate compliance with this requirement in their proposed budget. Who Is Eligible? Eligible applicants - Music businesses and industry professionals

- Applicants must be:

- currently based in NSW - have an active ABN (Australian Business Number) - have a bank account with the same name as the ABN

Eligible festivals/activities must:

- be presented in NSW - program new and original contemporary music - predominantly feature local music artists and acts - program artists from NSW Government priority groups - collaborate with local venues and community organisations to deliver activity supporting growth in audiences - provide opportunities for local community connection Definition of a “music festival” (for this program) A music festival is defined as an advertised event that: - calls itself a music festival, - positions music as its core focus, - is marketed under a single banner as a music festival, - has a collective running time of at least five hours, - and can be single or consecutive multiple days. Festival format - Can be ticketed or free to the public - Can take place in existing venues or outdoor locations for public use - The festival can be new or established (the program encourages exploring expansion/new activity) Artforms not supported through this program - experimental music and sound art - contemporary classical, opera, choral and ensembles - music theatre Who cannot apply - businesses, organisations and industry professionals not based in NSW - events not marketed as a music festival (for example, multi-arts festivals) - activity that does not meet the program’s festival definition - applicants with outstanding acquittals from previous NSW Government funding - applicants who have already received two Sound NSW grants in the same financial year - applicants delivering festivals in the unsupported artforms (listed above) Additional eligibility requirements - The activity cannot start before 1 February 2027 - The activity must be completed by 28 February 2028 Application limits (per financial year) - You can submit one application to one Local Audience Development Grants program each financial year. - You can receive two Sound NSW grants in competitive programs per financial year. Geographic priority (allocation and priority) - 50% of the program budget will be allocated to applications for activity in Western Sydney and regional NSW - Additional priority will be given to events that support NSW Government priority groups Eligible Activities or Priority Areas The funding supports (as described in the source) initiatives such as: - locally driven, single or multi-day, multi-stage live music festivals showcasing emerging artists and connecting them with new and diverse audiences - live music precinct events engaging local venues and businesses to drive community engagement and music discovery - festivals based in regional NSW and Western Sydney, programming local artists and collaborating with local business and venues Why This Opportunity Matters This grant is designed for NSW-based music businesses and industry professionals who want to grow local audiences while strengthening the contemporary music ecosystem. It places emphasis on programming new and original contemporary music, supporting local artists (including artists from NSW Government priority groups), and building collaborations that enhance community connection—particularly in