The Band Association of NSW (BANSW), which represents 110 affiliated community bands across the state, has posted an open letter expressing its disappointment over the NSW Government’s recent decision to end the funding support that has sustained community bands for 45 years.

Its applications for two-year and four-year Multi-Year Funding Programs were rejected. Notification was received via an automated email on 27 August, 2025.

“Whilst we are sure the organisations that have secured funding are worthy, we strongly believe the decision to end support for the BANSW and Community Bands is a grave omission,” wrote a BANSW spokesperson.

The open letter also noted that only 10 of the 153 Create NSW multi-year recipients were music-related, receiving just $2 million out of $31.4 million. “Not a single wholly volunteer-driven, grassroots or State-wide arts service organisation was funded … This decision contradicts the NSW Government’s own policy commitment to ‘strengthen communities with music’.”

Photo © Josh Diggelmann/Unsplash

The open letter calls on the NSW Government and Minister for the Arts John Graham to review the decisions of Create NSW in relation to community music organisations and meet with BANSW to ensure that grassroots performing arts...