About the Recording and Promotion Grant Program 2023/24
The Recording and Promotion grant was a one-off funding program to support the recording and promotion of new and original contemporary music by NSW artists.
Success rate
The Recording and Promotion Grant Program round was highly competitive, with a large volume of applications. The success rate was 10%.
How were applications assessed?
Applications were assessed by a group of peers including Sound NSW staff and industry peers, against the weighted assessment criteria:
- artist experience (30%)
- impact of the recording project (40%)
- viability of the recording project (30%)
Assessor Comments:
Assessors commented on the high quality of music presented, noting that some applications lacked the detail and planning of the competitive applications.
General feedback included:
- Take the time to thoroughly review your application before submitting
- Be really clear about your intention for the recording project, your creative process and timelines
- Link the recording project back to your career development, and how the recording will open up new opportunities, both artistically and professionally
- Demonstrate your existing fanbase and the work you have done to establish that community
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of how the release and promotion of the release will help reach new audiences
- Include the full team you are working with, in the recording, promotion and release of the work
- Provide confirmation from each person or business involved in the project. Compile the documents and attach as a single pdf
- Ensure letters of confirmation or support are relevant to the project, program and funding body you are applying to. Compile the documents and attach as a single pdf
- Budgets should be detailed, outlining each income and expenditure item, including cash and in-kind support. Budgets should balance, and the grant request needs to be included as income
- Ensure links to artistic support material are working and current.
Investing in promotion of new and original music was a key outcome for this grant, so competitive applications provided details of release plans and promotional activity, which included:
- An outline of the campaign roll out, including a clear plan on when singles will be released throughout the life of the project in the lead up to an EP or album
- Each track release should have a plan built around it that includes socials, media and potentially live performances where possible
- Enlisting the help of a professional publicist, social media strategist or independent marketing team can also bolster an application
- A clear plan around creating a compelling pitch to digital service providers (eg Spotify, Apple etc)