International pathways - music
International pathways supports international touring by Australian musicians performing predominantly original Australian music.
It assists with the development of markets and audiences through live performance where there is little likelihood of short or medium-term commercial success.
Tours must include a minimum of three paid performance opportunities.
Who is eligible to apply?
Individuals, groups and organisations are eligible to make proposals for funding.
Applicants must be Australian citizens or have permanent resident status in Australia. Proof of citizenship or residency may be required.
Organisations must be legally constituted, for example, incorporated, or a company limited by guarantee.
Funding proposals may be accepted from non-Australian individuals or organisations if the purpose is to engage artists who are Australian citizens or permanent residents.
Funding proposals from youth groups/ensembles or semi-professional organisations (eg choral) will only be considered under exceptional circumstances. Only costs associated with professional artists and artsworkers will generally be considered in these cases.
Applicants must have a commercially available CD and touring experience.
Applicants may submit a maximum of three proposals in a three-year period, as calculated by closing date. Unsuccessful applications cannot be re-submitted.
What will the Australia Council fund?
International pathways provides funding for costs associated with international touring up to a maximum of $20,000.
Total government funding (including your Australia Council request) should not be more that 50 per cent of the total expenditure.
Proposals from artists who are signed to a major publisher and/or major record company must show matching funding for the activity from the publisher and/or record company.
When can you apply?
Closing date: 14 December 2007
Assessment: February 2008
Projects may not start before: 28 February 2008
Closing date: 31 March 2008
Assessment: June 2008
Projects may not start before: 3 July 2008
Closing date: 8 September 2008
Assessment: November 2008
Projects may not start before: 12 December 2008
Please note: funding proposals postmarked after the closing date or applications received by fax or email will not be eligible. Proposals starting before the authorised start date will be ineligible.
How will proposals be assessed?
A panel made up of music board members and industry advisers will assess proposals and make recommendations to the executive director, community partnerships and market development (CPMD) for approval.
CPMD reserves the right to enter into negotiations regarding the grant amount with applicants before the executive director, community partnerships and market development division makes a final decision. You will be notified of the decisions within ten weeks of the closing date for your funding proposal.
Selection criteria
Artistic merit
This includes: the calibre of the artist(s); a record of successful professional performance; good live act, strong and clear artistic vision; and innovation in the work(s) or project in terms of exploring new processes, forms, interpretations or audiences.
Export readiness and the quality of the marketing strategy
This includes some or all of the following criteria as appropriate: overseas market knowledge and contacts; the extent of groundwork in, and commitment to, the target territory or market; recognition in the Australian market; current full length CD with national distribution; touring experience; good quality promotional material; media profile; preparedness to tailor the product; evidence of export market planning; management resources; demonstrated willingness to deal cross-culturally; short-term and long-term career development goals and objectives for your international tour.
Evidence that the activity is well planned and achievable
This includes available financial and human resources to successfully undertake the tour. Applicants should demonstrate strong tour management skills by providing a tour itinerary that is well scheduled in terms of performances, travel days and days off, fees paid and performance terms negotiated with promoters and presenters. Applicants should demonstrate that the activity would not normally be covered through other sources or agreements and should indicate any performance fees in the budget under 'income'.
Proposals should be sent to:
International pathways
Music board
Australia Council
PO Box 788
STRAWBERRY HILLS NSW 2012
For further information, or if you would like to discuss your proposal, please contact Andy Rantzen on (02) 9215 9115, Daniel Edmonds on (02) 9215 9127 or Karen Baker on (02) 9215 9108, or ring toll-free 1800 226 912.
Submitting a proposal to international pathways
Please submit the following:
- Two copies of your proposal, including the coversheet and budget template. Both copies should be unbound and unstapled, on white, single-sided A4 paper
- The required support material (see below)
- A full promotional pack.
Applications that are incomplete, or which do not contain all the required supporting materials, will be ineligible.
All proposals must address the following points:
1. Proposal summary (maximum one page)
a) Who are you?
b) Where do you want to go?
c) Why do you want to do this in terms of career development?
d) How much does it cost?
2. Who is involved? (maximum two pages)
Please provide short biographies of the key personnel (artist(s) and/or manager), highlighting their experience in undertaking or managing international activities.
3. Itinerary (maximum two pages)
Provide a day-by-day itinerary that includes details of performances, meetings, days off and travel days, including dates, cities, venues, presenters, who the meeting is with, and whether or not each performance/meeting is confirmed or pending with the details of the fees and contract negotiated.
4. Marketing strategy (maximum four pages)
Outline your international marketing strategy, which should included the following:
a) State your target territory(ies) or market(s), and the size and demographic of your audience;
b) Provide evidence of groundwork carried out in the target territory(ies) (ie contacts made, interest expressed, past tours);
c) Provide an annotated list of the key industry players that you will be targeting in the territory(ies), that is, those key individuals and organisations that you will be trying to meet and network with, invite to performances etc., including representatives of record companies, distributors, publishers, festival directors, artists, promoters, bookers, agents, venue operators, sponsors, media (such as journalists, reviewers, critics, in electronic and print media) etc;
d) Describe what you consider to be the main features and unique selling points that you offer that would be attractive to the target territory(ies) or market(s);
e) Provide details of how your fees have been determined and how ticket prices have been set;
f) Describe your promotional strategy: list the promotional tools you currently have available, and those you plan to produce for the proposed activity, and describe how each will be used to reach your audiences and key industry players;
g) Give details of who will be involved in implementing the marketing strategy, and what will their roles be (eg promoters, publicists, presenters, etc, on whom you will be relying to ensure the success of the strategy).
5. Career development (maximum one page)
How does this tour support long-term career development goals within this region/territory? How does the tour increase/improve presence, profile and visibility within the market/audience?
6. Financial information (maximum two pages)
Please provide a detailed budget showing all projected income and expenditure items, using the budget template provided with the proposal coversheet. If you are waiting on confirmation from other funding sources or applications for the proposed activity (e.g. sponsorship, state government), please include them in the budget and indicate when these will be confirmed.
Your support material
The following materials must be submitted:
- Four copies of either a CD, a DVD or a CD-ROM. Please send no more than four copies. Your most recent commercial release is preferred
- One full promotional pack consisting of a biography, a high quality photo and press releases.
- Written confirmation of key performances from the venues and/or presenters and written confirmation of meetings with key industry people (email confirmations are acceptable; please compile these into one document)
- For proposals with creative content and/or stated intended outcomes relating to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artists, communities or their activities, letters of support from relevant Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artists and/or communities must be provided.
Support material will not be returned to you and will be disposed of 30 days after you are advised of the outcome of your application. If you wish support material to be returned to you, please contact staff before this time to make alternative arrangements.
Other support for Australian musicians touring overseas
International music showcase support
Travel assistance is available to professional musicians who have been selected to showcase at an international music market, trade fair and/or key international festival through Market Development, CPMD. Applicants will be asked to describe how the performance will 1) introduce their work to new markets and new audiences, 2) provide greater touring and performance opportunities internationally, and 3) fit into the applicant’s overall career development plans for the next couple of years. In providing these details, applicants must demonstrate how the performance will increase their visibility on the international stage. Airfares will be provided to ensure key international career opportunities are facilitated and to support musicians establish a market presence.
There is an estimated six weeks response time. More information will be available on the Australia Council website later in 2008. These activities will no longer be supported through the international pathways initiative.
Please note that this program does not support travel for international touring, residencies, competitions or auditions.
Skills and arts development (international)
In 2008, the music board will offer grant support for overseas skills development opportunities for professional artists and artsworkers through skills and arts development (international). Please speak to music staff for more information.
Back