ACE reopens environmentally responsible touring fund

A fund to support artists and musicians to tour internationally in an environmentally responsible way has reopened for a second round.

The International Touring and Environmental Responsibility Fund, run by Arts Council England and the Danish Arts Foundation, in partnership with Julie’s Bicycle and the Danish Embassy, aims to support performing arts professionals in England and Denmark to fully understand their touring footprint and "sustain a means of sharing art which supports transition to a global low carbon future".

In the first year of the programme, a pilot year, 20 artists and companies participated in a three-month online programme looking at the challenges posed by international touring, and finding ways to reduce the carbon and environmental impacts of their tours. In spring 2022, three projects were selected for further funding to test some of the new approaches.

For year two the programme is being expanded to include music alongside other performing arts. Applications for the second year of the programme can be made online and are open until 12pm on 20 January 2023. 

"By exploring new methods of international touring and collaboration, the programme will help the cultural sector play its part in addressing the urgent challenge of the climate crisis, while also sustaining the collaborative relationships that fuel developments in art creativity and culture around the world," Simon Mellor, Deputy Chief Executive at Arts Council England said.