Leaps and Bounds Music Festival is a City of Yarra initiative that supports local live music venues, artists, and audiences during the winter period. Since 2013, the festival has grown into a collective, venue‑based program that highlights Yarra’s music precincts and strengthens the local live music scene. In 2026, Leaps and Bounds will run as a ten‑day festival from Thursday 16 to Sunday 26 July, featuring programming across multiple venues throughout the municipality.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR VENUES
At a time when live music venues continue to navigate changing audience behaviours and economic pressures, Leaps and Bounds provides funded opportunities for venues to trial new approaches to live music programming and presentation that:
- build new audiences
- re‑engage lapsed or returning audiences
- offer established audiences something fresh or unexpected
- create more accessible and inclusive live music experiences
- support young and emerging musicians and audiences
- experiment with new genres, formats or collaborations
- broaden Yarra’s offering of free and affordable live music
WHAT'S CHANGED ABOUT THE EOI PROCESS (AND WHY)
We’ve made some changes to the EOI process this year to make it easier and quicker for venues to apply.
We know venues are managing busy programs, rising costs and limited capacity, and that being asked to fully lock in artists, schedules and marketing details early can be difficult and risky. In response, the Leaps and Bounds EOI is now concept‑based, with final details developed after selection.
This means:
- you don’t need to submit confirmed line‑ups at EOI stage
- you don’t need to provide marketing‑ready content yet
- the application form is shorter and more flexible
Our aim is to reduce administrative burden, encourage more venues to apply, and support stronger, better‑developed events once funding outcomes are known.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
Leaps and Bounds is open to live music venues located within the City of Yarra with a track record of supporting live music and paying artists fairly.
Venues can apply for:
- funding support to present Leaps and Bounds‑specific programming in two categories (Category 1 up to $3,000 and Category 2 $3,000-$5,000), or
- inclusion in the program as a festival‑affiliated (non‑funded) event.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
We’re interested in new or expanded programming created specifically for Leaps and Bounds that:
- Offers something distinctive from your regular program
- Supports local artists and priority communities
- Creates welcoming, inclusive and accessible experiences
- Builds or reconnects audiences
- Strengthens Yarra’s live music culture
Programming must include artists from at least one of the following priority groups:
- First Nations artists
- Women and/or non‑binary artists
- People with disability
- LGBTQIA+ artists
- Young people
- Seniors