Hospitality venues across NSW can now apply for up to $80,000 in grant funds to diversify or expand their live performance offerings and bring even more vibrancy to the state’s nightlife.
The Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner’s $2.5 million Live Performance Venue Grant program will support small to medium venues intending to stage live performance or significantly increase their current offering by providing funding for staging and sound equipment, paying performers and costs related to marketing and promotion.
The purpose of the program is to increase the number of venues staging live performances, increase the number and diversity of performances and to create employment opportunities for artists, performers and people working in the hospitality industry.
This is the first time the Live Performance Venue Grant Program will be open to venues across the state with eligible venues able to apply for grant amounts between $15,000 and $80,000.
More than 50 venues across Greater Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong received grants under the first round of the Live Performance Venue Grant Program. The grants will be open to small to medium hospitality venues across NSW including cafes, bars, restaurants, wineries, distilleries, breweries, hotels/pubs and registered clubs.
This program also aims to enable more local communities across the state to easily access a range of live performances including live music, theatre and musical theatre, cabaret, dance performance, First Nations storytelling, spoken word, comedy and more.
To find out more or to apply visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/%e2%80%8b%e2%80%8blive-performance-venue-grant-program-round-2%e2%80%8b. Applications are now open and will close on 23 September 2025.
24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues said:
“Art and performance play a key role in the fabric of our 24-hour economy.
“There’s a time and place to relax on the couch in surround sound or to put on your headphones on the way to work. But nothing beats being at the gig live and connecting with mates.
“We are pleased to open up our Live Performance Venue Program to support small to medium hospitality venues from across the state that are looking to enhance their night-time offerings with live acts.
“Live performance takes many forms and here in NSW we are home to an array of talented performers offering live music, theatre, comedy, dance and more.
“So, from the city and the suburbs to regional towns across the state, we encourage eligible venues looking to expand their offerings to apply for the Live Performance Venue Program grants.”
Live Performance Grant round 1 recipient and Bar Yuki owner Ash Bailey:
“Thanks to this grant we were able to bring in a PA system, backlighting and even some drapes to provide some additional sound protection which has kept everyone happy and makes the whole venue look great.
“Growing up here in Milton, there wasn’t always a lot to do but we have created a place in this beautiful community – that we are so lucky to live in – which gives people a place to go and enjoy music and a dance.
“We are really grateful for this support and being able to combine our love of hospitality and live music. We couldn’t have done this without the support of the NSW Government.”
