Apply Now: Contemporary Music Touring Program (Australia)

The Contemporary Music Touring Program (CMTP) provides grants of $5,000 to $50,000 to support national touring by Australian musicians performing original contemporary music. The program prioritises tours that reach regional and remote communities, particularly those involving at least three venues or locations outside the performer’s hometown.

What Is the Contemporary Music Touring Program?

The Contemporary Music Touring Program supports Australian musicians, groups, and music organisations to undertake national tours featuring original Australian contemporary music.

The program is designed to increase access to live music across Australia and expand opportunities for artists beyond major metropolitan centres.

A particular focus is placed on touring to regional and remote areas, where audiences may have fewer opportunities to experience live contemporary music.

What Does the Program Support?

Funding supports eligible touring activities involving original contemporary Australian music.

Priority is given to tours that:

• Include regional and remote destinations.
• Reach audiences outside major metropolitan centres.
• Include at least three venues or locations outside the performer’s hometown.
• Provide live music opportunities to communities that are less well served.
• Support musicians who live in regional or remote areas.
• Expand the national audience for Australian contemporary music.

How Much Funding Is Available?

Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000.

The grant amount is determined partly by the number of tour venues or locations included in regional or remote areas.

This means tours with a stronger regional and remote component may be better positioned for higher levels of support.

Who Can Apply?

Applications can be submitted by individuals, groups, or organisations working within the Australian music industry.

Eligible applicants may include:

• Performers.
• Music groups.
• Managers.
• Agents.
• Music networks.
• Other eligible music organisations.

The proposed tour must feature original Australian contemporary music.

Key Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should ensure that:

• The tour features original Australian contemporary music.
• The application relates to one tour only.
• The tour meets the program’s national touring requirements.
• The applicant has satisfactorily acquitted any previous Creative Australia grant.
• The applicant does not owe money to Creative Australia.
• Regional and/or remote destinations are incorporated where required by the program.

Applicants can submit up to two applications per funding round, subject to the program rules.

Regional and Remote Touring Priority

Regional access is a central feature of the CMTP.

The program encourages musicians to travel beyond their hometown and metropolitan centres so that live contemporary music reaches communities across Australia.

Tours that include at least three venues or locations outside the performer’s hometown are particularly aligned with the program’s objectives.

Regional and remote touring can therefore strengthen an application’s relevance by demonstrating wider geographic reach and community access.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Check that you are an eligible Australian music professional, group, or organisation and that your previous Creative Australia funding obligations have been met.

Step 2: Develop the Tour

Plan a tour featuring original Australian contemporary music.

Identify each proposed venue or location and determine which destinations are regional or remote.

Step 3: Demonstrate National Reach

Explain how the tour will extend beyond the performer’s hometown and metropolitan centres.

Where applicable, identify at least three destinations outside the hometown.

Step 4: Prepare the Budget

Develop a realistic touring budget covering eligible expenses and clearly showing the amount requested from the program.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Submit the application through the relevant Creative Australia process within the applicable funding round.

If submitting two applications, each should relate to a separate eligible tour as required by the program.

What Makes a Strong Application?

A competitive proposal should clearly explain:

• The music: What original Australian contemporary music will be performed?
• The tour: Where will the performances take place?
• Regional reach: How many regional or remote communities will be visited?
• Audience benefit: Who will have access to the performances?
• Artist benefit: How will the tour strengthen the artist’s professional development and reach?
• Budget: Why is the requested funding necessary and reasonable?
• Tour feasibility: How will the applicant successfully deliver the proposed tour?

Common Reasons for Ineligibility

Applications may be ineligible where:

• The tour does not feature original Australian contemporary music.
• The application covers more than one tour.
• A previous Creative Australia grant has not been satisfactorily acquitted.
• The applicant owes money to Creative Australia.
• The proposed activity does not meet the program’s touring requirements.

Applicants should carefully review the current program guidelines before submitting an application.

Why the Program Matters

The Contemporary Music Touring Program helps address geographic barriers to live music in Australia.

By supporting tours into regional and remote locations, the program can provide audiences outside major cities with greater access to Australian contemporary music while helping musicians expand their national audiences and professional networks.

The program therefore supports both artist development and cultural access, with regional touring at the centre of its objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Contemporary Music Touring Program?

The CMTP is a funding program supporting national touring by Australian musicians performing original contemporary Australian music.

How much funding can applicants receive?

Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, with funding levels influenced by the number of regional and remote tour venues or locations.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants can include performers, groups, managers, agents, music networks, and other eligible organisations working in the Australian music industry.

Does the tour have to include regional or remote locations?

The program places particular emphasis on regional and remote touring. Tours that extend beyond metropolitan centres and include at least three venues or locations outside the performer’s hometown are encouraged.

Can an applicant submit more than one application?

Yes. Applicants may submit up to two applications per round, subject to program requirements. Each application should relate to one tour.

What type of music is eligible?

The tour must feature original Australian contemporary music. Tours that do not involve original Australian contemporary music are not eligible.

Can applicants with outstanding Creative Australia obligations apply?

Applicants who have not satisfactorily acquitted a previous Creative Australia grant or who owe money to Creative Australia are ineligible.

Conclusion

The Contemporary Music Touring Program provides Australian musicians and music organisations with funding of $5,000 to $50,000 to expand the reach of original contemporary music through national touring. Strong applications should demonstrate clear artistic value, realistic touring plans, meaningful regional and remote engagement, community benefit, and compliance with Creative Australia’s previous funding requirements.