Call for applications: Music Mobility Fund

This tour funding mechanism offers opportunities for professional South African musicians to undertake live music tours in South Africa as well as other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. The fund provides support to live music performances, collaborations and workshops.  Since it was initiated in 2013, the Music Mobility Fund has supported more than 50 tours and has featured artists like Wendy Oldfield & Paul Hanmer, Ihashi Elimhlophe, Pops Mohamed & Dave Reynolds, Carlo Mombelli, Morayks and Thandi Ntuli. In addition to South Africa, these performances and projects have fanned out to Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, spanning genres from jazz to traditional indigenous music, from folk to hip-hop and kwaito.

Hassan’adas band leader John Hassan, who recently returned from a tour of Mozambique supported by the Music Mobility Fund, says it was a fruitful and instructive experience in his development as a professional musician. “Since this was the first time I personally had to manage all logistics surrounding the tour, I have learned a lot and now understand the enormous load it takes to undertake such a task: from sourcing gig venues to accommodation, transportation, food, marketing and outsourcing musical instruments. The project requires major organisational skills, the ability to keep records and time management. I have learned many things from this experience, and will do some of them differently to reduce costs. Plus, I have made great contacts during this tour!” said John.

Guitarist Guy Buttery, another 2015 Mobility Fund recipient who has also collaborated on other funded tours, says: “Concerts SA not only assisted with making it possible to arrange great sound for the numerous launches on Julian Redpath's ‘Maiden Light Tour’, but also consistently hyped the tour through social media and helped put the tour in the press and Julian’s album on the South African map. For a young artist to have this kind of support both financially and on an emotional level is not only important, but instrumental for the birth and rise of young musicians. Knowing that some expenses will be covered, and that the word is out there for all the shows in each city, aids artists to push the envelope and invite other musicians to collaborate. This makes for a deeper experience and showcases the music in the best possible light.”

The Fund is administered by Concerts SA, a joint South African/Norwegian project housed within the SAMRO Foundation. Designed to help musicians, music industry professionals and organisations build on already established domestic success and develop connections, markets and audiences for their work, the fund provides support towards travel and transportation, as well as per diems, material costs (hiring of backline and sound equipment), accommodation and visas.

How to apply

Among the projects that may be financed are tours and concerts, including regional, national or provincial tours, as well as performances at festivals and showcases. The Music Mobility Fund also funds artistic collaborations with merit among musicians based in different provinces of South Africa 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 either Gauteng, the Western Cape or KwaZulu-Natal. Applicants may request up to R 25 000.
• Regional Projects: Regional projects must take place in one or more of the following SADC countries: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Applicants will need to conduct their own research and have identified and communicated with a potential partner or host. The partner may be an individual or organisation and must be an established musician or music professional, and must be based in the SADC country (or countries) where the project will take place. Applicants may request up to R 40 000.

Applicants should complete the application form in English, and submit it by Monday 5 October 2015, including the following mandatory documents:

• legal documentation of the applicant (ID/passport copy for individuals and organisation 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); and
• 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 email 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, visit the Concerts SA website or Facebook page.