The 2024-2025 All-Ages Grants program was recently announced by The Push, a Melbourne-based music organisation and registered charity supporting young people with access to music programs and events.
Backed by the Victorian government via Creative Victoria, the program supports every aspect of staging all-ages gigs by offering $5,000 grants towards live music venues, community organisations, artists, promoters and booking agents.
Grant recipients can direct funding to cover staging costs in existing live music venues across Victoria, including production costs, artist fees, promotion and marketing, or venue hire.
Applications for grants are open until 18 October for events scheduled from mid-November to 31 May next year.
The Push recently commissioned research showing that while live music is extremely important to two thirds of the surveyed young people, age is a significant barrier.
Cate Duncan, CEO of The Push, said it was known that underage youth could not experience live music in the same way as audiences over 18.
“The All-Ages Grants program directly responds to this – supporting artists, venues and promoters to invest in all ages events that foster formative opportunities for a new generation of live music audience,” she said.
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks agreed.
“The Allan Labor Government is proud to back this grants program, which will help create more opportunities for young Victorians to experience live music events across the state,” he said.
Each event will be required to comply with Child Safety Standards and all other relevant local, state and federal laws, must be alcohol, smoke, vape and drug-free, and must allow access for those under 18 without restrictions (for example, requiring the attendance of a parent or guardian).
The Push aims to give “every young person the opportunity to participate and thrive in Australian music”.
It has supported millions of young people over the past three decades, including Courtney Barnett, Alex Lahey, Alice Ivy and Angie McMahon who have all gone on to find worldwide success.
Applications can be made via https://thepush.com.au/all-ages-grants.
