This category aims to assist independent Victorian musicians and groups to build audiences through live performance, by supporting regional, interstate and international touring projects.

It also enables artists to pursue commercial opportunities outside of Victoria, by supporting them or their managers to attend music conferences or business related meetings interstate or overseas.

The following activities will be supported:

• Transportation costs
• Accommodation
• Conference/festival registration fees
• Promotion campaigns that relate to a tour.

Eligibility

Music Touring

You must be a Victorian professional original contemporary music act and show a track record of live performance with ongoing touring plans.

Priority is given to tour line-ups and bills that include Victorian musicians exclusively. Regional Victorian tours will also rate as a high priority for funding.

Where a proposal involves touring with non-Victorian bands, applicants need to clearly show how this particular bill provides a unique opportunity (eg the chance for an emerging band to tour interstate as the support act for a major band based in another state or as a support act for an overseas band in an international market).

Professional Travel

You must be an established Victorian artist or music manager with either two years professional experience or a significant music industry background.

The program will support attendance at a professionally presented music conference, festival or an organised itinerary of music business related meetings that will result in a CD release/distribution deal, tour or other significant opportunity.

Meeting confirmation emails or letters of invitation must accompany the application.

Closing Dates

To apply for funding you must:

• Complete the application form which includes a budget. Download the application form and full guidelines as a:
• PDF (80 KB)
• Word Document (489 KB)
• Answer all questions in Section 6 – Project Report
• Provide artistic support material relevant to your project (eg DVD, CD)
• Provide supporting documents (eg quotes for proposed costs, press clippings)

The Project Details

This section should contain the following:

• A clear description of what you plan to do.
• A list of previous performances in the last two years
• Details and credentials of the headline and support act(s).
• Any partnerships, this may include presenters, media or private sector organisations that are supporting or sponsoring the tour.
• Explain how the tour will be promoted
• Describe the potential unique benefits and outcomes of this tour
• What are the complementary activities (what else is happening around the tour: eg – CD release or promotional activity)
• What are the next steps following the tour? (include a timeline)
• How will you evaluate the success and outcomes of the tour?
• For Professional Travel please outline what you plan to do, who is involved and what you plan to achieve.

Management

You must provide the following information:

• How the project will be managed before, during and after the tour.
• Who is responsible for the overall management and coordination of the project.
• Details of the tour's marketing, promotion and audience development strategies. Supply details rather than general statements such as "interviews and street press ads". Please be specific.

Supporting Documents

Victorian Tours

You must include:

• A confirmed itinerary of at least three regional Victorian destinations.
• Details of appropriate partnerships with regional organisations, communities and/or media outlets.

Interstate Tours

You must include:

• A confirmed tour itinerary of at least two states or territories outside of Victoria; comprising performances that will take place at recognised live venues; or
• Proof of invitation to perform at a significant festival or live event(s).

International Tours

You must include:

• A confirmed tour itinerary of at least two performances that will take place at recognised live venues.
• Proof of invitation to perform at a significant festival, music conference or live event(s).
• Evidence of an international strategy including an itinerary of confirmed music industry meetings, publicity strategy, physical or digital product (CD) release, on line marketing and any other planned activity.

Professional Travel

You must include:

• An itinerary of business meetings, conference, or music festival attendance.
• Invitations, letters or emails confirming appointments.
• A strategy statement outlining what you hope to achieve.

Applications are competitively assessed and prioritised according to the following criteria:

• The concept and strategy behind the tour.
• The applicant's professional track record and commitment to delivering contemporary live original music.
• Details of the artist's live work in the last twelve months.
• The ability of the tour to build and expand on a demonstrated audience base or market niche.
• Evidence of other sources of income, such as guaranteed performance fees, projection of ticket sales, sponsorship.
• Confirmation of media partners and/or planned publicity activity.

Applications go through a standard assessment process, including review and evaluation by a peer assessment panel.

The current panel members are:

• Natalie Bell - Music manager and youth marketer
• Rae Harvey - Artist manager
• Adrian Marchesani - Artist manager and music industry educator.
• Craig Mathieson - Music journalist
• Adam Simmons - Musican