Call for applications: Concerts SA Music Mobility Fund for artists

Following the success of the five previous rounds of funding, applications are now open for the second iteration of grant disbursements this year. The deadline for submissions is Sunday 2 October 2016 and tours should take place between late October 2016 and 15 April 2017.

Concerts SA's Music Mobilty Fund is a tour support mechanism which offers opportunities for South African musicians to undertake live music tours in South Africa as well as other countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

 The Music Mobility Fund provides support to live music performances, collaborations and performance-based workshops. It works with musicians, promoters, venue owners and music sector stakeholders with a view to "build a vibrant and viable live music circuit in Southern Africa".

In a statement, jazz vocalist Titi Luzipo reflects on how the Music Mobility Fund impacted her latest tour. “It is a great initiative designed to promote artists in South Africa,” she said. “My project ‘Songs my Mother Taught Me’ has received nationwide recognition through the Mobility Fund. With Concerts SA's help, i have toured four cities and have had 10 successful shows.”

Rowan Stuart, a folk artist based in Durban said: “It has been a genuine help to my career this year. Firstly, the grant removed a lot of the uncertainty and risk that usually come with booking a tour, allowing me to plan and execute a successful winter tour across South Africa with confidence.”

The initiative funds projects such as tours and concerts (regional and national), as well as performances at festivals. The Music Mobility Fund also funds artistic collaborations among musicians based in different South African provinces or SADC countries. Each project must be between four days and six months in duration.

National projects

Artists from all provinces are invited to apply for national projects taking place in any South African province(s). The bulk of the activities must take place outside the province where the artist is based. The tour schedule must include one activity in Gauteng, the Western Cape or KwaZulu-Natal. Applicants may request up to R30 000.

Regional projects

Regional projects must take place in any SADC countries namely Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Activities in South Africa may be included as part of regional projects. For regional project funding, an artist must conduct a research, identify and communicate with a potential partner or host. The partner may be an individual or an organization. He or she must be based in the SADC country (or countries) where the project will take place. For these projects applicants may request up to R45 000.

How to apply

Applicants should complete the application form in English, and submit it by Sunday, 2 October 2016. The application forms should include the following mandatory documents:

• ID/passport copy for individuals and organization representatives, company registration documents
• Track record (media coverage, website links, evidence of recognition awards, public appearances or residencies, CV, biography, etc.)
• Budget of the project (including projected income and expenditure)
• A calendar of activities with tour schedule.
• SADC regional projects must include a letter from the local host confirming their support and involvement.

Enquiries and applications should be submitted by e-mail to concertssa@samro.org.za, by fax to 086 500 7028 or by post to Concerts SA, c/o The SAMRO Foundation, 20 De Korte Street, 4th Floor SAMRO Place, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001.

For more information about this funding, please visit their website or download the full call below.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 2 October 2016.