Provides travel support for career music managers interested in developing international markets for Australian musicians

A grant of up to A$2,000 for airfares
Applications for this grant close 20 January 2012
Decisions will be advised in February 2012
Funded projects can start from 1 March 2012

Rounds

About the grant

The Live on Stage program provides travel support for career music managers interested in developing international markets for Australian musicians. Support is provided to music managers representing their artists at key international music trade fairs or industry facing events when their artists are not showcasing at the event.

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 and applicants who are attending 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 make a strong case for how the industry event they wish to attend drives market development outcomes for their artists. The event must be high-profile, established, attract key buyers and decision-makers from the international music sector and/or generate strong media interest.

If your artist has been invited to showcase at the industry event, please apply via Live On Stage – international music showcase program.

Amount

The maximum available per application is A$2,000.
It is expected the applicant will contribute to the cost of the international activity supported.

Provides travel support for career music managers interested in developing international markets for Australian musicians

A grant of up to A$2,000 for airfares
Applications for this grant close 20 January 2012
Decisions will be advised in February 2012
Funded projects can start from 1 March 2012

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$2,000. The following expenses are eligible for funding:

• Economy class international airfares

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 manager

To be eligible the manager must:

• be based in Australia, be Australian citizens or have permanent resident status in Australia - proof may be required;
• have been music managers for at least two (2) years or have five (5) years music business experience prior to 1 July 2011;
• represent at least one (1) current and original Australian music act with an album or body of work that is commercially available and are ready to tour internationally;
• have represented the original and current Australian music act(s) for at least 12 months; and
• have arrangements in writing to negotiate international tours, licensing contracts, sub-publishing or distribution deals for the Australian music artists represented for the period 1 July 2011 – 30 June 2012.

Restrictions

• Proposals for industry events 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 of music industry experts review applications against the assessment criteria below:

• The extent to which the event presents a significant international opportunity tied to career development and market potential for artists represented.
• The extent to which the music manager has a demonstrated track record in music management and the business capacity to deliver live original music internationally.
• The extent to which the music act represented is export ready.
• Your rationale for attending the industry event.
• Evidence that the 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.

Provides travel support for career music managers interested in developing international markets for Australian musicians

A grant of up to A$2,000 for airfares
Applications for this grant close 20 January 2012
Decisions will be advised in February 2012
Funded projects can start from 1 March 2012

How to apply

Supporting materials

You will need to make the strongest possible case as to why you should be supported.  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. Support material should be recent and relevant to the project for which you are applying.

 To apply for travel support applicants must submit:

• Your official confirmation of registration at the event ;
• travel quote/itinerary for the proposed flights;
• A budget (you can submit your budget in your own format); and
• Full promotional pack for the Australian music act(s) represented, including
  • Your current album/release;
  • The artist/s or band's biography including touring history;
  • The manager's biography;
  • High quality photos;
  • Press releases.

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.

We encourage all applicants to contact Market Development staff to discuss your application before submission.

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 acts represented and the industry 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.

 Evidence of the manager's previous experience in music managment

You will need to provide:

• biographical information on the music manager undertaking the international market development activity.

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;
• How attendance contributes to short and long-term career development goals for artists represented;
• What promotional resources you will be utilising and how you will ensure these are effectively distributed;
• How you will promote the artist or band outside of your live performance (e.g. how you will make contacts, any meetings you have already arranged, a schedule of confirmed meetings with international contacts, buyers, tastemakers etc).

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.