WHAT IS THE TRAVEL FUND?

Live Performance Australia™ (LPA) has established a Travel Fund with support provided by Helpmann Award® Strategic Partners, Destination New South Wales.

The Travel Fund provides funding for flights and accommodation for Helpmann Award® Nominating Panel Members to attend shows outside of Sydney (NSW) and Melbourne (VIC).

OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAVEL FUND

• Enable Helpmann Award® Panel Members to be as informed as possible about productions in their discipline throughout Australia
   
• Assist productions outside of Sydney and Melbourne to receive a greater chance of being nominated through increased visibility and greater attendance by Helpmann Award® Nominating Panel Members
   
• Ensure that the best in Australian Live Performance across all Australian states is being nominated and winning Helpmann Awards®
   

ELIGIBILITY

In order to apply for Travel Fund assistance, applicants must be either:

• An LPA Producer or Venue/Presenter Member presenting a production outside Sydney or Melbourne. In order to qualify, the production must not be touring to these states; OR
   
• A Helpmann Award® Nominating Panel Member requesting to see particular productions in an eligible state. The production must be presented or produced by an LPA Member.
   

In 2012, priority assistance will be given to productions and Panel Members from the following disciplines:

• Cabaret
   
• Dance & Physical Theatre
   
• Opera & Classical Music
   
• Theatre
   
• Regional Touring

In exceptional circumstances consideration will be given to Panel Members from other states who wish to attend a production in NSW or VIC. Please note however that this is not the primary objective of the Fund.

Promoter/Presenter Members may apply for travel fund assistance for a maximum of one production per Helpmann Awards® Season (1 March in any year and ends 31 May the following year).

Panel Members may apply for assistance for one travel engagement per Helpmann Awards® Season. Applications for those wishing to see more than one production over a series of nights (e.g. At a festival or a group of performances) will be subject to approval.

Retrospective funding requests are ineligible.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. All applicants must complete the relevant application:
    
   
   

   
    
    
   OR
   

   

   
    
   
    
   All applications are required to be submitted to staff at LPA at least 3 weeks in advance of the production. An immediate acknowledgement will be sent by email to confirm the application has been received.
    

2. Applications, once submitted to LPA, will be assessed by the Chief Executive of LPA, the Chair of Helpmann Awards® Administration Committee and the relevant Panel Head to determine the success of each application.
   Funding is allocated at the discretion of LPA. An applicant’s success will depend on demand and availability. The Chief Executive has discretionary power to confirm funding in exceptional circumstances.
    
3. Once approved, LPA will be responsible for arranging an interstate Panel Member to attend the production, as well as accommodation and flight details (best price of the day where available).
   Once booked, LPA will supply Panel Members with electronic itineraries and booking confirmations.
    
4. All applicants will be notified of the success of their application.
   In instances where a successful application has been made by an LPA Producer/Presenter Member, details of the Panel Member attending will be forwarded.
    
5. Funding will be provided for flight, accommodation and travel expenses only.
   Related travel expenses strictly include:
    
   • Taxi fares (to and from the airport; to and from the performance);
    
   • Train and bus fares (to and from the airport; to and from the performance);
    
   • Accommodation (room only - no extras);
    
   NB. Expenses DO NOT include per diems.
    
   Panel Members will be reimbursed upon presentation of the above receipts to LPA with their Post Performance Report.
    
   All other expenses are the responsibility of the Panel Member
    
6. Funding is provided for the original travel booking only. Any changes to booked fares are made at the applicant’s own expense.
   If Travel Fund recipients are unable to complete their travel plans or attend the production for any reason, they must notify LPA immediately.
    
7. All Panel Members are required to provide LPA with a Post Performance Report.
   
   

   
    
   
   This will be distributed to the rest of the Helpmann Awards® Panel for their information.
    
   This report must be submitted one week after attending the performance.
    
   If Panel Members do not supply a Post Performance Report, they will be ineligible to apply for further funding from LPA. 
   
    

HOW TO APPLY

OR

For enquiries or assistance in lodging an application, please contact Anna Muscara at:
amuscara@liveperformance.com.au or 03 9614 1111.

Helpmann Awards® Travel Fund This Initiative is Proudly Supported by Destination NSW