Backroads connects communities throughout regional and remote NSW to small-scale, high quality performing arts events. The initiative aims to extend and support the reach of professional productions to regional towns that do not have performing arts centres as well as support small hall activation and the work of independent producers and artists.
Backroads is best suited to adaptable, low-budget NSW-based productions that would feel at home in a community centre, old town hall, or small, independent theatre. Tours need to be self-sufficient, able to produce, mount and market their work in regional and remote towns.
Applicants from NSW can apply for up to $10,000 to support a tour to one or more independent or community-run venues. The tour may include major performing arts centres but Backroads funds cannot go towards the delivery of those performances.
You can read about the sorts of venues we support on our Backroads Venues page, and you can view a list of ineligible venues in the Backroads Guidelines, which you can download below.
Backroads 2024 - Guidelines
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Read about potential Backroads Venues
Pictured: 2022 Backroads recipient, ‘A Little Bit of Blue’ by Little Wing Puppets. Photo by Kate Tracy.
A Backroads applicant should be the person taking financial responsibility for a tour or project. The initiative is best suited to adaptable, low-budget touring productions, but there are independent and community-run venues across NSW with a wide range of capacities and capabilities. If you are unsure if you are eligible, please get in touch.
These are a few ‘case studies’ of the sort of projects funded by Backroads, though it's not an exhaustive list!
Pictured: Gundaroo Soldier's Memorial Hall
Applications open on Monday 27 May 2024 at 9am (AEST) and close Monday 19 August 2024 at 5pm (AEST).
In the meantime, take a look at the Guidelines document, preview Application Form, Budget Template and Potential Venues spreadsheet in the 'Key Info' sidebar.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Mark Salvestro.
Applications
Open: Mon 27 May, 9am AEST
Close: Mon 19 August, 5pm AEST
RESOURCES
Backroads 2024 - Guidelines
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179.5 KB
.docx file
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Backroads 2024 - Application Form Preview
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Backroads 2024 - Budget Template
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Backroads 2024 - Itinerary Template
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Backroads 2024 - Tour Building Calendar Tool 2025
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37.6 KB
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Backroads_2023_Potential_Venues
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68.2 KB
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Questions? Contact Mark Salvestro.
GET IN CONTACT!
If you're involved with a community-run venue or you're a producer with a work you'd love to get out to smaller towns and remote communities, we'd love to talk to you.
Give us a call or send an email to Mark Salvestro.
Join our mailing list and Facebook page to keep up to date.
Arts on Tour is based in Redfern NSW and we respectfully acknowledge the Gadigal people as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the unceded land on which we work.
As we tour artists and productions across these vast lands, we pay our respect to all First Nations Elders, past, present and future.
We celebrate their continuing connection and contribution to culture, country and community, and thank all First Nations peoples for their wisdom in caring for the land, the sky, the rivers and the sea.