THE AUSTRALIA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS in association with the
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE (DFAT) and
AUSTRALIAN TRADE COMMISSION (AUSTRADE)

THE AUSTRALIA COUNCIL is the Australian government's arts funding and advisory body and is committed to developing international audiences and markets for contemporary Australian arts.

The Australia Council, through its Audience and Market Development Division, works with other key government agencies involved in exporting Australian cultural work internationally, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade), in maximising international audiences for Australian arts.

The Council's 5th Australian Performing Arts Market focuses on promoting a diverse range of contemporary arts across multiple artforms including contemporary dance, physical theatre and outdoor performance, new media arts, and Australian Indigenous arts (please visit our Indigenous colleagues in Booth 5 for more information on Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts).

A range of promotional publications on Australian performing artists and companies, and information on touring and funding assistance is available from the Playing the World booth, where Australia Council staff can assist you with your enquiries.

Publications include the In Repertoire series of promotional guides to Australian performing arts; information on a new Australia Council funding program for international touring by Australian theatre artists called Playing the World, plus other funding programs for Australian performing artists and companies; and Let's Tour, an on-line interactive site providing useful information for Australian artists on international touring.

www.ozco.gov.au

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE (DFAT)

The Australian Government is committed to promoting Australia's performing arts to the world as part of an overall strategy to develop, support and export Australian cultural product.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) uses its network of overseas missions to assist Australian performers on tour. Where possible, DFAT offers an integrated package of assistance built around local knowledge and contacts.

This includes helping to liaise with local promoters to secure venues, publicity, providing contact lists for invitation purposes, and, in some cases, hosting functions to promote performances/exhibitions. In the case of smaller events, missions can provide valuable assistance, especially contacts and advice. This practical support is provided primarily through cultural/public affairs officers at missions.

AUSTRALIAN TRADE COMMISSION (AUSTRADE)

Austrade is the Australian Government's agency dedicated to helping Australian exporters take their goods and services into overseas markets. Austrade also works to attract overseas investment for Australian enterprises and helps Australian companies make export related investments overseas.

Austrade can help commercially viable arts enterprises that have the commitment and resources to pursue export opportunities overseas.

Austrade provides advice and information on:
· Assessing your readiness to export
· Who can help make your company ready to export
· How to choose the best export markets for your product or service
· General market conditions in offshore markets
· Business practices, regulations, protocols and cultures of export destinations
· How to market your company and its products and services globally
· What financial assistance is available to help develop export markets
· How to attract foreign investment
· Where else to go for help

Austrade can also assist financially. If you need financial support to help you get started, you may qualify for assistance under the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme. The EMDG scheme can help cultural and arts organisations, through reimbursing up to 50% of incurred eligible expenses. EMDG helps exporters with the cost of marketing visits, overseas representations, communications, free samples, promotional literature and advertising, and export marketing consultants.