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.
Applications have closed for 2023.
Backroads 2023 Guidelines
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Read about potential Backroads Venues
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!
Applications have closed for 2023, but you can sign up to our enews to be notified about Backroads 2024.
If you have any questions, email Maeve Marsden.
Applications have closed for 2023, but you can sign up to our enewsletter to be notified about 2024 applications.
RESOURCES
Backroads_2023_Potential_Venues
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Backroads 2023 Guidelines
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Backroads_2023_Budget_Template
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Backroads_2023_Application_Form_Preview
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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 Maeve Marsden.
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.