On the road again

Release From The Australian Federal Minister For The Arts

More Australians will be able to experience the best of Australia's contemporary music thanks to the Commonwealth Government's Contemporary Music Touring Program.

The program, one of the major initiatives of the Government's $10 million Contemporary Music Package, has been allocated $1.05 million over three years to promote the touring of contemporary music performances in Australia.
'From rock, pop and jazz to folk, new classical and Indigenous music, the program is designed to develop viable touring opportunities for professional Australian musicians,' Federal Minister for the Arts, Peter McGauran, said.
'It also aims to increase audience access to live Australian contemporary music,' he said.

Proposals are now invited from professionals in the music industry - performers, agents, music networks, presenters, venues and music organisations - to tour live music performances within Australia.

The closing date for the first round of proposals is 17 September 1999. Proposals will be assessed by a sub-committee of the Playing Australia Committee which will make recommendations to the Minister.

The sub-committee includes Playing Australia Committee members Ms Jill Keyte (Chairman), Mr Rob Gebert and Ms Sylvia Langford, as well as members drawn from the music industry, Mr Russell White (Managing Director, Russell J White Management), Lynette Irwin (Queensland Jazz Coordinator) and Owen Orford (Managing Director, TPA).

Information about the program and how to apply for funding is available on freecall 1800 819 461, by email at music.touring@dcita.gov.au or online at www.dcita.gov.au/music

Playing Australia - the Commonwealth performing arts touring program - gives all Australians, wherever they live, better access to some of the country's best performing arts.

16 July 1999

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC TOURING PROGRAM

Jill Keyte (Chair)

Ms Keyte is currently General Manager of the Lyric Theatre, Star City in Sydney. Prior to this she was Director of Operations at The Australian Ballet for five years. She has also managed several major fund raising programs for the Ballet and other arts organisations. She has experience in both subsidised theatre and the commercial sector.

Rob Gebert

Mr Gebert is widely experienced in touring of the performing arts, with a background in technical and production management. In 1990, he became Operations Manager for the Victorian Arts Council with responsibility for the Arts Council's Touring Program. Mr Gebert has been closely involved in the Long Paddock (regional touring forum), particularly during his term as General Manager of Arts On Tour-NSW. Mr Gebert is currently Manager of Bendigo Regional Arts Centre.

Lynette Irwin

Ms Irwin is the Queensland Jazz Development Officer, Director of New Musique Australia and Artistic Director of Pinnacles Music Festival. Ms Irwin has been involved in many areas of music management including tour management, finance, administration, grant submissions, publicity, promotions and programming.

Sylvia Langford

Ms Sylvia Langford is the Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Territory Government's Department of Arts and Museums. She has worked in the Northern Territory for some years and has an excellent knowledge of the issues relating to touring performing arts product and festivals in remote areas.

Owen Orford

Mr Orford has over 25 years experience in the music industry as a performer, manager, tour coordinator, tour manager, venue booker, promoter and agent. He is the Director of TPA/Trading Post Entertainment Agency and is currently promoting concerts for silverchair and Placebo.

Russell White

Mr White has been working in the entertainment industry since 1983. He is Managing Director of Russell J White Management and has extensive experience in venue management, tour management, artist management and executive production of recordings, film scores and film/video clips. He is currently co-Chair of the International Managers' Forum (Australia) Ltd - the national association for managers.

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