City of Sydney gains praise for $450k funding to boost nighttime programming at venues

Image: Sydney artist Joyride, photographed at BIGSOUND 2017 by Zak Kaczmarek

A new funding program initiated by the City of Sydney will support local businesses and live music and performance venues seeking to make Sydney more diverse after dark.

Offering $450,000 in grants, and up to $30,000 matched funding per recipient, the program has been updated to include new funding for live music venues to make improvements to their programming.

This includes betteringthe sound at venues through the installation of sound baffling materials, and sound equipment for better internal acoustics, as well as providing safer spaces for performers, audiences and workers.

The funds will also go towards covering the costs of staying open later and increasing the overall diversity of venue’s nighttime programming,lasting for one year.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore admits the lockout laws have had a drastic impact on the city’s nighttime economy, but sees the program as an opportunity for businesses to relieve the strain.

“This new grant program provides targeted support to increase the diversity of businesses open in the city at night, and help live music venues make the improvements they need to put on more performances,” said Moore.

“We look forward to hearing from businesses across our community with their ideas for creating a more diverse and dynamic city after dark.”

Various prominent voices in the local industry have put their support behind the initiative, collectively advocating the government authority’s move to strengthen the local scene.

Live Music Office Director John Wardle told TMN, “The investment of $1.35 million over the next three years by the City provides a stimulus package designed to deliver strong financial support to artists and venues, and seriously promote live music activation in the City of Sydney local government area.

“I can see so many opportunities for musicians who have projects underway to approach hospitality businesses or retail and pitch their gigs to be co-funded by The City just as spring kicks in, and for the next three years.”

Australian group The Preatures’ lead singer Isabella Manfredi said: “It’s great to see the City of Sydney supporting nightlife in Sydney, and with it the many artistic and musical subcultures that make a city kick serious butt.”

Emily Collins, Managing Director MusicNSW, also offered support: “This funding directly supports those who want to do new and exciting things in Sydney after dark, and we can’t wait to see the exciting projects and developments that will come as a result of this program.”

Non-profit and for-profit organisations wishing to apply for the grant are required to provide evidence of the needs for improvements.

City of Sydney have opened up the first round of applications which will close on November 13.

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In other news coming out of the city, to mark the 175th anniversary of the council, Sydney Town Hall’s 19th century grand organ has inspired a new composition created by local composer Austin Buckett.

His works have previously been featured at events such as Melbourne Festival and The Now Now Festival. Buckett’s song Aisles was also a finalist for Instrumental Work of the Year in the 2017 APRA Art Music Awards.