Touring & Travel Fund – International Touring

Program objective

Funding can support travel and accommodation costs for established artists and acts who identify a career-defining international touring opportunity.

Costs to support the artist and acts will be prioritised but costs relating to support roles will also be considered.

Applicants must match the funding request with their own cash contribution.

Applications will close:

• Friday 30 January at 12pm (midday) – for activity starting after Wednesday 25 February
• Friday 24 April at 12pm (midday) – for activity starting after Wednesday 20 May

Applicants will be notified of the decision within 4 weeks of the closing date.

Please see the frequently asked questions for additional details here.

This funding aims to:

• support established NSW artists and acts to tour internationally
• champion NSW music
• grow international music audiences for NSW artists.

This program does not support domestic touring or professional development opportunities. Please see the Domestic Touring and Professional Development program.

This program is administered by Sound NSW (Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport).

Eligibility

Who can apply

The fund is open to established artists and acts as well as music businesses applying on behalf of an artist or act.

An established artist or act can demonstrate a solid fan base in Australia and internationally, have an expansive track record of previous national and/or international touring and be working with a dedicated team to deliver export outcomes within the artist or act’s career development strategy.

Funding recipients must be:

• 18 years or older
• currently living in NSW (minimum 12 months)
• performing or working in contemporary music.

Applicants will need:

• an active ABN (that’s your Australian Business Number)
• a bank account with the same name as your ABN
• or a funds administrator to help you out.

Applicants must match the funding request with their own cash contribution.

For the purpose of this program contemporary music refers to artists and acts performing new and original music.

• Artforms not supported through this program are:
  • experimental music and sound art
  • contemporary classical, opera, choral and ensembles
  • music theatre
  • working in and with community music groups.
• These applicants should refer to Create NSW’s Arts and Cultural Funding Program | NSW Government (ACFP) guidelines.

Sound NSW is committed to a diverse contemporary music sector in NSW and encourages applications from First Nations people, people who identify as women and non-binary, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people from Western Sydney and regional and remote communities.

Number of applications

You can receive a maximum of one grant through the Domestic Travel and International Professional Development program and one grant through the International Touring program per financial year (based on closing date).

Types of projects funded under this grant

Funding can support travel and accommodation costs for artists and acts identifying a career-defining international touring opportunity, with up to $30,000 in matched funding.

What costs you can apply for

Funding supports travel and accommodation costs only, up to $30,000 in matched funding.

Travel and accommodation costs can include flights, trains, buses, car hire, petrol, tolls, airport transfers, travel insurance, visas, per diems and accommodation.

Who can’t apply

• applicants who do not live in NSW, or who have lived in NSW less than 12 months
• applicants not performing new and original contemporary music (eg cover bands)
• applicants who are unable to provide matched funding
• applicants who have outstanding acquittals from previous NSW Government funding.

What costs you can’t apply for

• domestic tours, performance/attendance at music market events and professional development opportunities – this activity can be supported through the Domestic Touring and Professional Development program.
• artist fees, rehearsals, equipment purchase, marketing and promotion costs, industry event fees or passes
• international tours that don’t include at least five performances in different cities
• travel and accommodation costs incurred before the advertised activity start date
• activity that has received other NSW Government funding.

Please see the frequently asked questions for a list of submission dates and activity start dates.

What co-contributions are required

Applicants must match the funding request with their own cash contribution. This can include grants from government (local, state or federal), industry bodies, philanthropic contributions, personal income and projected income from guaranteed fees, tickets and merch sales.

Additional eligibility requirements

• applications for an international tour require confirmation of at least five performances, in different cities.