Local live music and performance venues will once again be able to supply for government support to keep the gigs coming over the second half of the year.

An announcement that will be music to the ears of many associated with live entertainment, applications for the second round of the ACT Government’s Amp It Up! fund have today opened for local small- to medium-sized live music and performance venues.

Small to medium venues from across the city can apply now for a minimum of $5,000 and up to $45,000, with that money to offset some of the costs associated with performance programming and promotion for gigs from July to December this year.

The fund was established last year to support local small to medium live music venues to recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

The 2021 fund, worth $800,000, ultimately supported 23 venues in hosting “hundreds” of shows across live music, comedy, theatre and other modes of performance.

Music ACT director, Daniel Ballantyne, said the 2021 Amp It Up! kept “many venues” from going under.

“For artists it was their only live performance opportunity throughout the roller coaster ride of lockdowns,” he said.

“The pandemic’s negative impact is not over, and while audiences are returning, venues booking artists are still making tough decisions. Amp It Up! funding means live music venues can guarantee support for artists and confidently build audiences.”

Transit Bar operations manager, Joel Tyrrell, said the venue was “incredibly fortunate” to receive funding as part of last year’s fund.

“It provided vital support for us to program a series of quality live music performances, and a platform for our industry to continue rebuilding,” he said.

Applications close at 5pm on Monday 30 May 2022, so venues are encouraged to get their submissions in soon.

Minister for the Arts, Tara Cheyne, said the fund will provide Canberra audiences with an “exciting live music and performance calendar” from July to December this year.

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