NSW government funds 17 youth-run all-ages events, provides extra $1m to western Sydney arts community

The NSW government is living up to its promise of encouraging all-ages live music events, and to boost the strength of Western Sydney’s music and arts community.

A grant of $47,500 through the Indent Youth Music Event Development Grants program will see 17 all-ages music events across the state produced by eleven groups of music fans aged 12—25.

The program is administered by MusicNSW for Create NSW.

70 young people will learn how to put on live events through free workshops by the Indent production team in the weeks leading up to their event, as well as working on lighting, staging, sound and door sales on the day of their events.

“This is a fantastic hands-on initiative that gives valuable experience to those considering a future in the music industry and a great opportunity to showcase live original music from predominantly local bands,” said Create NSW acting CEO Grainne Brunsdon.

The teams are:

* Axis Youth Centre Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council, Queanbeyan (Regional NSW), $5,000 to stage the region’s only live youth music event LiquidFest 2018, for new and emerging artists.

* Bankstown Youth Development Service, Bankstown (Western Sydney), $5,000 for 4Elements, a free three-day all-age hip-hop festival with 100 acts from over 60 diverse backgrounds, rap battles, a live arts wall and arts galleries.

* Bathurst Regional Youth Council, Bathurst (Regional NSW), $5,000 to stage two YJAM all-age music events in autumn and winter.

* Campbelltown City Council Youth Entertainment Reference Group, Campbelltown (Western Sydney), $5,000 for two events – a battle of the bands and Fisher’s Gig, where the winning bands perform to an all-age audience of up to 3,000.

* Cessnock Community and Youth Development (Kurri Kurri Community Centre), Cessnock (Regional NSW), $5,000 to stage outdoor live music event YouthFest, coupled with a skate, scooter and bike competition plus amusement activities during the Youth Week event.

* Dubbo Regional Council, Dubbo (Regional NSW), $2,500 forBangover, two live music events showcasing six all-ages bands at the CWA Hall, Dubbo.

* Genhealth Inc trading as headspace, Coffs Harbour Park Lane Festival, Coffs Harbour (Regional NSW), $5,000 to stage the all-age laneway Park Lane Festival in the city centre and celebrate 10 years of headspace, which helps young people aged 12-25 who may be experiencing mental health issues. The event will have two stages, one for acoustic and duo acts and a main stage for bands and DJs.

* Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre, Evan’s Head (Regional NSW), $5,000 to stage Crankfest, a celebration of youth culture and art featuring all-ages bands and soloists alongside a skate jam, surf competition and workshops.

* MidCoast Council Manning Youth Action Team, Taree (Regional NSW), $5,000 to stage the 11th Live’n’Loud, four events staged over the year with young performers playing to peers.

Three events are in local council venues with a final outdoor music event Summerfest held in December.

* Midnite Café, Dubbo (Regional NSW), $2,500 to host a late-night café space celebrating and encouraging creativity through live music, coffee, board games and art exhibition.

* Signal Creative, Dubbo (Regional NSW), $2,500 to stage the NEON PARTY event at Midnite Cafe in Dubbo with three bands (aged 14-18) performing alongside the Galaxy Girls.

In the meantime, NSW minister for the arts, Don Harwin, has announced a $1 million fund to support three programs for emerging artists across Western Sydney.

The Making Spaces Fund, now in its second year, encourages property owners to partner with arts, screen and cultural organisations to activate spaces and create vibrant and liveable communities.

Up to 10 new projects will share in $500,000 (up to $50,000 each).

Funding is also available through the Strategic Opportunities Fund, which targets strategic projects outside of existing arts programs to allow organisations to embed music and arts in the everyday and increase participation.

Up to six projects share in $300,000 (up to $50,000 each).

The new Emerging Organisations Program supports emerging Western Sydney arts, screen and culture groups in developing sustainable business models and setting them up for long term success.

Up to four organisations will share in $200,000 (up to $50,000 each).

Minister Harwin said: ‘These programs will be hugely valuable in supporting new opportunities for emerging artists and organisations across the Western Sydney region.

‘I’ve seen first-hand the depth of talent in Western Sydney arts, screen and culture – this funding will help drive forward artistic endeavour in the west.’

Minister for Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres, confirmed that the NSW government is committing millions of dollars to support arts and culture across Western Sydney, some $7.5 million dedicated to local arts organisations.

Minister Ayres said: ‘The NSW government is making significant investments in the cultural infrastructure and artistic programs which bring the community together and showcase the talents of new and emerging artists.’