The Backroads Initiative is established to enable high-quality, small-scale professional productions to smaller towns and remote communities in regional NSW. The initiative is designed to extend the audience reach of professional productions to towns that do not have a professional performing arts centre, as well as support small hall activation and the work of independent producers and artists.
Backroads can support up to 50% of the performance/delivery fee (including touring costs) of a touring production.
Applicants can submit a proposal to:
- extend a regional tour to one or more non-professional venues in regional NSW;
- support a new tour to two or more non-professional venues in regional NSW.
For the purposes of the Backroads initiative, applicants may be an individual or organization who takes on the responsibility of presenting a professional production or performance in a non-professional venue, including financial management, fee negotiation, contracting, marketing and technical provisions.
An applicant may be a:
- Regional arts organization;
- Community group;
- Local council;
- Lead organization representing a consortium of non-professional venues;
- Tour coordinator or Producer (defined as the person or organization who is taking the financial risk on the tour);
- Professional performing arts presenter coordinating a ‘mini tour’ to non-professional venues as part of a regional tour;
- Self-presenting artist or producer.
Applications open on Tuesday 26 April and close Wednesday 25 May, 2022.
Please email Kate Gaul to discuss your application before you submit.
Backroads builds on the success of the former Community Presenter Touring Grant which supported a range of performing arts tours across regional and remote NSW. Funds for this Initiative have been made available by Arts NSW on behalf of the NSW Government.