Supports Australian acts invited to showcase original music to travel to key international music fairs or events

 

A grant of up to A$10,000 for airfares and freight
Applications for this grant close 20 January 2012
Decisions will be advised in February 2012
Funded projects can start from 1 March 2012

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Rounds

This grants has multiple rounds. Information for unlinked rounds are not available yet. Information for these rounds will be made available closer to their closing dates.

 

Round	Closing date	Decisions advised	Project can start
Round 1	6 September 2011	September 2011	1 October 2011
Round 2	31 October 2011	November 2011	19 December 2011
Round 3	20 January 2012	February 2012	1 March 2012
Round 4	11 April 2012	April 2012	1 May 2012

 

About the grant

The Live on Stage program provides travel support for Australian music acts (and their manager/representative) who have been invited to showcase original music at key international music trade fairs or industry facing events. The maximum available per application is A$10,000. It is expected the applicant will contribute to the cost of the international activity supported.

Some examples of the types of events we support include:

• South by Southwest (SXSW);
• The Great Escape;
• WOMEX;
• CMJ Music Marathon;
• Canadian Music Week (CMW);
• Music Matters;
• North by North East;
• Popkomm;
• Reeperbahn;
• Americana Music Festival;
• OCFF;
• Folk Alliance;
• ECMAs;
• Winter Music Conference, (Miami);
• Transmediale; or
• Wacken Open Air.

This list is not exclusive. Applicants invited to attend another industry facing event may still apply. This may include tastemaker festivals and other industry showcases - but not purely public facing events. Applicants will have to identify that the event is a showcase opportunity rather than simply a live gig and make a strong case for how the industry event they have been invited to perform at drives market development outcomes for their career.

The performance opportunity must be on an official/main stage with the demonstrated potential to expand on an established audience base and market niche. The event must be high-profile, established, attract key buyers and decision-makers from the international music sector and/or generate strong media interest.

Please note: international touring is not supported under this program. Please see the International Pathways grants for information about support for international touring

 

Supports Australian acts invited to showcase original music to travel to key international music fairs or events

 

A grant of up to A$10,000 for airfares and freight
Applications for this grant close 20 January 2012
Decisions will be advised in February 2012
Funded projects can start from 1 March 2012

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Eligibility

This category is open to individuals, groups and organisations. To be eligible, you must meet the general eligibility requirements and any specific eligibility requirements for this grant.

The following sections outline requirements specific to this grant.

 

Eligibile expenses

The maximum available per application is A$10,000. The following expenses are eligible for funding:

• Economy class international airfares (for band members and manager only); and
• Freight.

It is expected the applicant will contribute to the cost of the international activity supported. All other costs associated with international travel are the responsibility of the applicant.

 

Eligibility of the event

To be eligible the event must:

• Be industry facing, known by our music industry experts, with good and regular representation from international music industry delegates; and
• have a good track record of artists achieving success following attendance (i.e. being signed to labels, securing publishing deals, further touring opportunities, etc).

Live On Stage is a very competitive initiative. Make sure that you and your selected event meet the eligibility criteria for the scheme and specifically address all the assessment criteria in your application.

 

Eligibility of the artist/s

To be eligible the act must:

• Provide an official invitation from their chosen event;
• Perform original compositions;
• Be based in Australia and be Australian citizens or have permanent resident status in Australia (proof may be required);
• Be "export ready" - they must be able to prove that they have a solid profile and track record in Australia and they must have an album or body of work that is commercially available and the artist, management and/or label must have appropriate international contacts.

 

Restrictions

• International touring is not suppoted under this program. Please see Music's International Pathways grant for information about support for international touring.
• Proposals for showcase performances that have already taken place will not be considered.
• If an application is rejected, it can not be resubmitted seeking support for the same activity.
• Individuals, groups or organisations in default of existing contractual obligations to the Australia Council are ineligible.

 

The Australia Council encourages artists from Indigenous backgrounds and from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to submit proposals. Proposals are also encouraged from artists with disabilities and from artists living and working in regional Australia.

 

Selection criteria

An independent panel made up of music industry experts will assess proposals. Applications will be ranked against the following criteria:

• The extent to which the showcase event presents a significant international opportunity tied to career development and market potential;
• The extent to which the music act is export ready;
• A well-defined marketing strategy for the showcase;
• Evidence that the showcase opportunity is well planned and achievable.

For information on supporting materials to help you demonstrate you meet the selection criteria please see the 'Your application' tab.

 

While your application may meet the stated assessment criteria, you are not guaranteed travel support. Support from this travel fund rests on the merits of the proposal against the stated assessment criteria in competition with other applicants and available resources.

 

Selection process

An assessment panel will assess applications according to the selection criteria above. The panel may also choose to discuss projects with some applicants during the assessment process. The outcomes will be published as a Grant Assessment Report.

For more information on the assessment process, please see the page on Assessment of applications in the Information for applicants section.

Supports Australian acts invited to showcase original music to travel to key international music fairs or events

 

A grant of up to A$10,000 for airfares and freight
Applications for this grant close 20 January 2012
Decisions will be advised in February 2012
Funded projects can start from 1 March 2012

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How to apply

You will need to make the strongest possible case as to why you should be supported. To apply for travel support applicants must submit:

• Your official invitation to the showcase event;
• Written confirmation of the showcase performance from the event, including confirmation of showcase date(s), time, venue/stage and fee paid (if applicable);
• Your travel quote and freight carnet/quote;
• A budget that itemises the main costs of the showcase opportunity, including resources contributed by the applicant and/or any other sources of funding; and
• A full promotional pack.

You can submit your budget in your own format, but it must clearly show your income and expenditure related to the specific showcase event you are applying for. We acknowledge that the showcase may be part of a wider tour, but please itemise the costs associated with the showcase in your budget.

 

Applications which are incomplete or which do not contain all of the required materials will not be considered. Applicants will not be contacted if applications are incomplete.

 

Supporting materials

For your application to be eligible for consideration for funding, you must include the support material described below with your application at the closing date. Your support material should be your own work and the work of other key artists involved in the project. Support material should be recent and relevant to the project for which you are applying.

 

Promotional pack

Your promotional package should include:

• Your current album/release;
• The artist/s or band's biography including touring history;
• The manager's biography;
• High quality photos;
• Press releases.

 

Evidence of the event's significance 

You will need to provide:

• Evidence to demonstrate the trade fair/festival/event is high-profile, established, and attracts key decision-makers, with a good track record of artists achieving success following attendance; and
• A demonstrated match between the music performed and the showcase event.

 

Evidence of the band's export readiness 

Export readiness will vary slightly between music styles but can be demonstrated by:

• The music act’s profile in Australia and internationally, including any current international deals or interest;
• Evidence that it is a good live music act and has extensive touring experience;
• A current album or body of work that is commercially available;
• Airplay, good sales and strong press/positive critical response; and
• A strong online and social media presence.

 

Marketing strategy 

Please include a marketing and promotional strategy that demonstrates:

• commitment to the market/territory and how the international strategy will be rolled-out;
• What promotional resources you will be utilising and how you will ensure these are effectively distributed
• How you will promote yourselves outside of your live performance (e.g. how you will make contacts, any meetings you have already arranged etc). In other words, tell us how you intend to use your time when you are not performing.

Confirmed meetings (rather than speculative plans) make for a stronger application.

 

Application checklist

We encourage you to use this handy checklist to help them prepare and submit their application. You should:

1. read the Funding Guide for 2012, in particular the general eligibility requirements, the information on making an application and the information on how your application will be assessed;
2. read all of the information provided for this grant (across all the tabs above);
3. get in contact with the grant contact person to discuss your application;
4. prepare you application, being mindful that you address all of the eligibility and selection criteria for this grant; and
5. submit your application form online using the 'Apply online' button in the right-hand column.