The Australia Council for the Arts, which is soon to be renamed Creative Australia, has invested A$2.8m (£1.5m/€1.8m/$1.9m) in supporting artists touring their works and performances across the country, bringing art to regional and remote communities.
The funding will provide support to artists in developing their craft or performances, as well as engaging new audiences. Some 27 groups or individual artists have been awarded funding to tour across Australia, reaching audiences in more than 200 locations.
Playing Australia has been awarded A$1,651,046, which will support seven performing arts projects in touring to 93 locations, with 73% of these performances taking place in regional and remote communities.
The Contemporary Music Touring Programme has been awarded A$448,383 to support 17 original contemporary music tours that will travel to more than 138 locations, with 61% taking place in regional, remote or very remote communities. The Contemporary Touring Initiative was granted A$693, 999 supporting three contemporary visual artists and craft practitioners to show their work to national audiences, with 69% taking place in regional communities from 2023 to 2026.
“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,” Australia Council chief executive Adrain Collette.
“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.”