This Market Development grant is not available to apply online. Please go to the How to apply tab to download an application form.

Closing date: 11 June 2010
International travel must happen: between 1 July 2010 - 30 June 2011

The Australia Council’s Market Development section aims to create more demand for Australian contemporary arts through supporting the promotion of Australian contemporary arts and developing new markets and audiences, in Australia and internationally.

This initiative provides support for career independent performing arts producers to travel to conduct their business internationally. The initiative aims to support Australia’s independent producers to reach more markets, ensure momentum and build sustainable careers for Australian contemporary performing artists and companies in the international marketplace.

The initiative provides travel funds of $16,000 for up to 5 independent producers towards their annual international travel expenses over the 2010-2011 financial year. Funding is available for a range of activities to assist producers to:

• both develop and secure international performance opportunities for their work
• leverage reciprocity between Australian and international artists, producers and presenters
• promote and sell current original Australian performance works into key international markets.

Grant amount

The maximum available per application is AU$16,000 for the 2010-2011 financial year. It is expected that the applicant will contribute to the cost of the activity supported. 

This initiative is open to independent producers, either individuals or organisations/businesses. Organisations/businesses may apply the funds to one or more individuals within their organisation.

Independent producers eligible for support must:

• be based in Australia, be Australian citizens or have permanent resident status in Australia. Proof may be required
• have successfully delivered at least three or more major international tours/projects
• not be attached to a venue or festival
• represent three or more artists or arts organisations who lack the capacity to represent themselves internationally 
• not be commercial producers

Eligible activities:

Applicants are encouraged to think as creatively as possible about the activities they wish to undertake under this program. Please note that these funds are only to be used for the eligible expenses listed below.

Activities supported include, but are not limited to:

• attend international performing arts trade fairs and festivals
• take international business meetings with key decision makers
• build relationships and reciprocal arrangements with international stakeholders

Eligible expenses:

• Economy class international airfares
• Mid-range accommodation
• Visa costs
• Per diems

Restrictions:

• only one application per business may be submitted
• individuals, groups or organisations in default of existing contractual obligations to the Australia Council are not eligible
• only proposals for international activities will be considered – domestic travel is not supported under this initiative
• producers who receive this annual travel funding are not eligible to apply for travel support through the International Performing Arts Markets (IPAMs) program in the 2010-11 financial year..

Ineligible expenses:

• business overheads
• equipment purchases and other capital infrastructure expenses.

Australia Council staff will review applications against the assessment criteria above.

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.

To apply for travel support applicants must submit four (4) copies of the following:

1. Signed application form (attached to these guidelines)
2. A statement of claims against the following assessment criteria:

a) The extent to which the independent producer has a demonstrated track record in production and the business capacity to deliver original performing arts internationally. Please include:

• a short biography of the producer undertaking the international market development activity
• a list of Australian contemporary independent artists represented
• evidence supporting at least three previous successful international tours.

b) The impact travel will have on developing future international touring opportunities for the company, artist and/or work(s) represented. Please include:

• a proposed international business development plan for the financial year
• details of the activities planned and their relationship/relevance to the work/artist represented.

c) The extent to which the international activities proposed are well-planned and achievable. Please include:

• a proposed international travel itinerary for the financial year
• a proposed budget based on economy airfares, mid-range accommodation, appropriate per diems and visa costs.

Deadlines

Application deadline is 11 June 2010, for international travel between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2011.

Applicants will be notified of the results within two (2) weeks of receipt of their complete application.

Applications will not be returned to applicants. If you wish your materials to be returned, please contact Australia Council staff to make alternate arrangements.
 
Please send four (4) complete unbound hard copies of your application to:

AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT PERFORMING ARTS PRODUCERS – INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL FUND
Market Development
Australia Council for the Arts
PO Box 788
STRAWBERRY HILLS NSW 2012

Applications received via fax or email will not be considered. 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.

Further information

For further information, please contact:

Bow Campbell, Program Officer
Market Development
Tel: (02) 9215 9099 or Toll free: 1800 226 912
Email: b.campbell@australiacouncil.gov.au