The Federal Government's Revive Live Grants Are Now Available For Venues & Music Festivals

Applications are now open for the federal government’s $8.6 million Revive Live program, which provides much-needed support for live music venues and festivals as the country grapples with a cost-of-living crisis.

Yesterday (5 August), the federal government unveiled a new announcement in the budget for 2024/2025, revealing that its latest grant is available for “established live music venues and contemporary music festivals” that work to showcase Australian artists.

The Revive Live grant program also focuses on improving accessibility and enhancing participation opportunities for performers and audiences alike. Another key focus is establishing career pathways for artists and other music industry workers with disabilities.

Revive Live is linked closely to the Albanese Labor Government’s National Cultural Policy, Revive, which was launched last year by the government’s music establishment, Music Australia, within Creative Australia.

The government has pushed forward $69 million in supporting and promoting Australian contemporary music, aiming to increase discoverability and assist in developing new markets and expanding audiences.

Applications for the Revive Live grant program are now open and will close on 23 August 2024. For more information about how to apply, go here.

In a statement, Tony Burke, the federal Minister for the Arts, commented that the program will provide much-needed support for the Australian live music industry.

“Gigs have always been a huge part of my life, and I’ve seen firsthand the vital role live music venues and festivals play in giving Australian artists a platform to perform and launch their careers,” Burke said

“This funding will help to address the challenges contributing to cancellations and closures among the live music scene.”

Adding that Revive Live will provide local artists with opportunities to “perform, develop and grow audiences,” the program will assist in creating “a more resilient and sustainable live music scene” for all to enjoy.

Earlier this year, Burke remarked that Revive has been a “game-changer for the arts in Australia” one year after its launch.

As detailed on the Australian Government’s website, the Revive policy focuses on First Nations creatives, acknowledgement that Australians are “the creators of culture”, support for “artist[s] as worker[s] and celebrating artists as creators”, support for “the spectrum of institutions which sustain our arts, culture and heritage”, and an effort to “mak[e] sure our stories connect with people at home and abroad”.