The New Zealand Music Commission's newly announced Aotearoa Touring Programme will invest in approved domestic touring costs, to enable more NZ artists to grow sustainable careers and increase the access to live music for NZ audiences. This is a contestable fund intended to reinvigorate the live music sector and assist in the recovery from the effects of COVID-19 in the domestic touring market.
There will be three Tiers in the Aotearoa Touring Programme – Tier 1 and Tier 2 are open now. Tier 3 is for significant large-scale New Zealand music events (i.e. 8,000+ capacities) and will launch later in 2020, once the environment and challenges for these large-scale events is more certain. Click here for information about the grant Tiers.
The Aotearoa Touring Programme is a matched investment programme (i.e. the Programme will match your investment), so applicants can apply for 50% of the eligible costs for undertaking national tours across all Tiers. The different Tiers have a maximum limit for each grant. A national tour will include at least three dates outside of the artist’s home town.
There will be two quick rounds for Tier 1 and Tier 2 grants before the end of this calendar year, with applications closing on 27 October and 24 November. From 2021, the grant rounds will be bi-monthly starting in February.
For the first two rounds only (i.e. until the end of 2020), tours that are already announced and/or on sale, but have not commenced, can apply for support if a case can be presented for how the investment will enable the reach of the touring project to increase – i.e. more shows in the regions would be added, all-ages performances included, better local media support, greater production capacity etc.
Tours and shows which are announced and sold out are not eligible to apply.
An artist can receive two grants in a twelve-month period – and a maximum of three grants between now and 30 June 2022. There is no restriction on how often you can put in an application.
Applications can be from any entity that represents the artist – including managers, promoters, booking agents and the artists themselves.
Prospective applicants need to contact the Music Commission for access to the online application portal. When you get in touch with the office, you should know when your proposed tour would be taking place, where in the country you intend on playing, why you want to play in these towns (previously successful shows, good airplay on local radio, interest from the area etc), and approximately how much you intend to apply for. The application process will require you to have a full budget and business plan that will show how this investment will contribute to growing the artist’s business and career.
To download the Aotearoa Touring Programme Overview PDF, including the information above and details about the Tiers and Eligible Costs, please click here.