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The Template System

Touring Assistance for Performing Artists

Commission for the Arts

Purpose
To increase opportunities for Virginians to experience high-quality performing arts events.

Description
This grant program supports touring by Virginia performing artists and ensembles within the state. The touring activities are restricted to those listed in the Commission’s annual Performing Arts Tour Directory . Any not-for-profit organization meeting the Basic Eligibility criteria can apply to receive a touring assistance grant to support these activities. Grants are made to the presenter, not to the touring artist(s). Touring artists apply to be listed in the Tour Directory with a set dollar amount reserved to support their touring as outlined below.

Eligible Applicants
Virginia performing artists and performing arts ensembles. Individual students or organizations whose members are primarily PK-12 or undergraduate college students are not eligible for inclusion in the Tour Directory.

Eligible Activities
Programs listed in the Tour Directory which take place outside of the home area of the touring artist(s).

Deadline for Artists
April 1, 2008, for the touring season of July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010

Criteria for Evaluating Applications

NOTE: If the Commission allocates less than $25,000 for any artist or ensemble for the tour, that artist/ensemble is eligible to compete for unused touring funds after December 1 up to a total allocation for the year of $25,000. If the Commission allocates $25,000 or more for any artist’s/ensemble’s tour, that artist/ensemble will not be eligible to compete for unused touring funds after December 1.

Application Review and Payment Procedure

  1. The artist/ensemble should submit a complete application to the Commission by the deadline. The Commission does not accept application materials via facsimile transmission or other electronic means (e.g. e-mail).
  2. The Touring Program advisory panel will consider the proposals and make recommendations to the Commission. The Commission will approve artists/ensembles for touring support and reserve a block of funds for each. Decisions will be announced in June, 2008.
  3. The funding reserved by the Commission for each touring artist/ensemble will be held for potential presenters from March 15, 2009, until December 1, 2009.
  4. In the fall of 2008, the Commission will distribute the 2009-2010 Tour Directory with information about artists and ensembles eligible for touring support and descriptions of their touring programs.
  5. The Commission will begin accepting touring assistance applications from presenters on March 15, 2009. Applications submitted before that date will be returned.
  6. Presenters send applications for touring support, including copies of signed contracts with touring artists/ ensembles, to the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Applications must be received by the Commission at least four weeks prior to the event and no later than December 3.
  7. The Virginia Commission for the Arts awards touring support grants to presenters of a particular artist/ensemble on a first-come, first-served basis from that artist’s/ensemble’s allocation. Grant award letters are generally mailed two weeks after receipt of each presenter’s application by the Commission.
  8. If an artist/ensemble listed in the Tour Directory has booked a tour and used all of its original allocation prior to December 1, it may book additional performances and encourage the presenters to apply to the Commission’s "wait list" on a first-come first-served basis for funds which have gone unused by other artists/ensembles. It is the responsibility of the artist/ensemble to explain that there is no guarantee of funding in this situation.
  9. After December 1, the Commission will pool any uncommitted touring funds and award them to presenters on the "wait list" or other presenters which apply to support activities of eligible artists/ ensembles.
    NOTE: Artists/Ensembles which are awarded an allotment of $25,000 or greater may not receive any additional support under the procedure in #8 and #9.
  10. No applications for funding will be accepted after December 1.