Australia Council supports touring initiatives with $2.8 million investment

June 16, 2023

The Australia Council for the Arts (soon to be Creative Australia) is investing $2.8 million - one of its biggest funding rounds in recent years - to support artists in showcasing their works and performances nationally, including to regional and remote communities.

A total of $2.8 million shared among Playing Australia ($1,651,046), Contemporary Music Touring Program ($448,383) and Contemporary Touring Initiative ($693,999) will support 27 groups and individual artists to reach audiences in more than 200 locations. Each of the streams will see more than 60% of the initiatives taking place in regional and remote communities.

Australia Council Chief Executive Adrian Collette enthused “we are delighted to be able to support artists through this investment and hope it not only enhances their touring experience but enables them to build new and loyal audiences in places they may not have previously visited.

“For example, we know that for musicians, in particular, it’s really important to get out on the road and tour to build their touring experience and audience. We’ll be looking at further opportunities to support contemporary music touring as we build Music Australia.”

Among the many grant recipients are:

Kaytlyn Johnson – The Tasmanian Acoustic Tour Kaytlyn is Palawa and a 2022 Young Australian of the Year from Tasmania. This will be a homecoming tour (Contemporary Music Touring Program)
Aviva Endean – The Cloud Maker A three-nation collaboration, the Cloud Maker will tour in Victoria, Tasmania and NSW, featuring Sunny Kim, Aviva Endean and Te Kahureremoa Taumata. (Contemporary Music Touring Program)
Accessible Arts Inc (NSW) National Regional 2024 Tour of “Are You Pulling My Leg?” A disability-led comedy work increasing visibility of artists with disability and providing capacity building to regional venues by touring with sector-specific disability-led training for presenting venues. (Playing Australia)
Flying Fruit Fly Foundation – Flying Fruit Fly Circus presents TEMPO, a Regional Tour to 12 venues in NSW, VIC, QLD & NT Exposing young audiences in regional areas to professional work made by young circus artists (Playing Australia)
Adrian Schmidt Mumm – Slowmango x The Bait Fridge Performance and Workshop Tour in East Arnhem Land Innovative music tour to remote Northern Territory with deep community engagement. (Playing Australia)
Museums & Galleries NSW – The Good | Anna Louise Richardson – National Regional Touring Exhibition & Engagement Program A tour of a West Australian regional artist focusing on the experience of living in rural Australia and exploring contemporary Australian rural life. (Contemporary Touring Initiative)

A full list of recipients can be found at australiacouncil.gov.au/investment-and-development/awarded-grants/

Image. Flying Fruit Fly Circus presents TEMPO. Credit: Flying Fruit Fly Foundation

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