Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, has launched a new phase of the Night-Time Economy support scheme to aid grassroots music venues.
Developed under the revised Night-Time Economy Action Plan, the initiative recognises the role of these venues in fostering emerging talent.
A total of €500,000 has been allocated to the Grassroots Music Venue Support Scheme (GMVSS), offering grants of up to €15,000 per venue. The scheme will fund up to 75% of eligible costs, with venues covering the remaining 25%.
Funding will support events featuring grassroots artists performing original live or electronic music, creating job opportunities for crew members, sound and lighting engineers, and marketing professionals. It also aims to boost venue footfall and sustain a thriving night-time economy.
Speaking at the launch in Cleary’s, Newcastle West, Minister O’Donovan stressed the importance of grassroots venues: “They are vital to our communities, providing spaces for emerging artists to perform, develop skills, and build audiences.”
Newcastlewest Singer/songwriter and music promoter, Emmet Scanlan commented, “I think revenue for new music is amazing. With each of the Window Sessions series that we do we would have at least one or two rising act gigs, which is to promote up-and-coming music, or music that is unheard but should be heard.
“And these are the gigs, where we struggle a little to sell tickets! They are vital, but obviously with money being tight for people, they are less inclined to spend money on something they don’t know. So help would be amazing.”
Applications can be submitted at https://artsandculture.submit.com/show/66 until noon on 15 May 2025 or until funds are exhausted.
