The funding, courtesy of the Indent Youth Music Event Development grants program will allow the committee to stage a bigger and better Youth Fest 2019 that will form a part of this year’s Youth Week activities in the region.

The festival will feature a diverse lineup of music, giving much-needed opportunities for our region’s up-and-coming artists.

Last year’s YouthFest skate comp,drew an excited crowd of more than 250 young revelers and Cessnock Youth Centre and Outreach Service coordinator Will Doran said it was an awesome day.

“It was so much fun – there were lots of talented musos on stage and lots of talented young people in the comp,” he said.

Newcastle-based The Y Project also received $2,500 to host an all-ages party to highlight the importance of a safe and respectful gig culture.

“Supporting artists and young people with these grants allows them to promote their work to a wider audience, or to gain valuable insight and experience within the industry,” Parliamentary secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald said.

Indent funding is open to groups of at least five young people, aged 12-25, who are working in partnership with a local support organisation. For more information visit http://www.musicnsw.com/funding/musicnsw-grants/indent-event-development-grant/