Touring, and why we fund it

Touring is one of the most flexible and creative ways of bringing live performance to people. Art, artists and audiences are all developed through touring. New ideas are tested, successful shows are given a longer life and audiences can experience a wide range of work.

Touring activity is where the same artistic programme or event is taking place in two or more places. It might involve performances or exhibitions, artistic residencies, artistic work involving people from particular communities, or possibly all of these things.

We fund touring work so that people across the country have the opportunity to see and experience great art. Locally created work varies enormously, and touring has a vital role to play in addressing inequalities of access to arts experiences within particular areas and communities. It is not only performances that can be innovative, touring can be too - revealing new places and ways in which to present work, and new ways of attracting audiences. 

How we work with artists, companies and programmers

Artform specialists in all regional offices have an overview of artists and companies that produce touring work. Since April 2010, the new combined arts and touring specialists have begun to develop an overview of organisations that programme the work we fund to tour.

We will work together with the sector to help ensure that the work we fund to tour is of high quality and is successfully reaching a wide range of people across the country.

Artists and companies wishing to apply to Grants for the arts for touring projects should read the information on our website, and contact the Grants for the arts centre. We have written an information sheet to help people applying to Grants for the arts for touring projects.

Our publication Marketing and touring. A practical guide to marketing an event on tour is aimed at touring companies and host venues of all scales to help them get the best out of their partnerships. Based on research from over 100 practitioners, the guide takes readers through the whole process of touring from planning the tour to campaign evaluation.