Funding

In Austria, there are many funding opportunities for music professionals. This article gives an overview on support programs of Austrian Music Export and international tour support in Austria. Additional this article contains useful web links, guidelines and brochures on the Austrian Music Industry.

Austrian Music Export Programs

Showcase Funding / International Tour Support

Showcase funding / funding of travel expenses, advertising costs, etc. up to a maximum of EUR 1,000 (non-repayable) in cooperation with the Österreichische Musikfonds/Austrian Music Fund and the Film and Music Industry section of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO).

In addition to showcases where the Austrian music industry has a stand (WOMEX, Jazzahead, etc.), numerous international events have arisen in recent years that focus on export cooperation and exchange projects. The goal of this subsidy is to achieve the sustained presence of Austrian artists and businesses at these events, festivals and conferences and supporting self-organized events in key markets.

Application:

Applications may only be submitted by WKO members in the area of “Ton- und Musikproduktion” (labels, publishing companies, producers and recording studios), and must include an application form and a calculation of project costs.

Funding guidelines (in German, PDF)

Application form (in German, PDF)

Contact: Thomas Heher
email: heher@musicexport.at
phone: +43 1 710 6000

Focus Acts – Tour Support Program

The FOCUS ACTS tour support program is an essential component of Austrian Music Export’s support structure. It is intended to work together with other subsidies provided by the organization to promote the continuing international presence of Austrian music. The FOCUS ACTS program offers travel funding up to EUR 5.000 for international tours, endowed and administrated by the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture, Civil Service and Sport (BMKOES) .

Criteria:
Eligible are Austria-based acts, musicians and ensembles in all genres with at least 10 international live performances between June 15th, 2023 and January 31st, 2024. Further criteria include a clear internationalization concept and international structures and business partners (booking, label, distribution, promotion, management). Up to 10 acts can be supported; successful applicants will receive a contribution to travel costs of maximum EUR 5.000.

*New in 2023 is an additional sustainability bonus: Applicants may submit a plan for resource conservation (in travel planning, waste prevention, sustainability rider, etc.). The amount of the bonus will be determined by the number of successful applications fulfilling the criteria.

The application period for 2023 has closed. Thank you for your interest and check back in early 2024 for the next call!

For complete criteria and application documents, see: Call for Proposals/Info sheet FOCUS ACTS 2023 (German PDF) + FOCUS ACTS Calculation Sheet (German Excel)

Contact: Franz Hergovich / Austrian Music Export
email: hergovich@musicexport.at
phone: +43 1 521 04 0

Focus Marketing 2022

Call for Proposals: Austrian Music Export “FOCUS MARKETING 2022”

Domestic music creators (in all genres) as well as labels, publishers, management, agencies and other industry players are invited to apply for project funding under the Austrian Music Export “Focus Marketing” program. The deadline for submission is April 25, 2022.

The “FOCUS MARKETING” project funding is a new pilot project of Austrian Music Export, which aims to enable a professional international presentation of Austrian music in an environment currently characterized by event cancellations, work and travel restrictions as well as the cancellation of music fairs, showcase festivals and comparable platforms.

The international marketing of Austrian artists and their artistic projects is supported. Artists and their artistic projects, such as publications, tours or international collaborations. A focus will be placed on innovative approaches to communicate domestic repertoire to an international audience.

Download: Open Call AME Focus Marketing 2022 (PDF, German)

Application:

Applications must be made via email with all the necessary documents (see below) by April 25, 2022 at the latest: office(at)musicexport.at, subject: “AME Focus Marketing 2022”

Please submit a:

Note: Funding for international marketing costs is also available via go international/Advantage Austria. The Digital Marketing Check offers support with a grant of 50% for online marketing costs for Austrian companies.

Contacts:
Thomas Heher
email: heher[AT]musicexport.at
phone: +43/1/710 6000

Franz Hergovich
email: hergovich[AT]musicaustria.at
phone: +43/1/521 04 51

International Tour Support in the Framework of our Activities at Festivals or Showcase Events

Travel funding for musicians selected to perform at events like Eurosonic Noorderslag, The Great Escape, Reeperbahn Festival etc. and the festivals and events in our annual focus countries. In some cases we can also provide support for professionals travelling to these events.

Contacts:
email: office@musicexport.at

More Options for International Funding Activities

International Tour Support

Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture, Civil Service and Sport (BMKOES)
The Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture, Civil Service and Sport (BMKOES) offers tour and travel support for Austrian musicians. You should at least apply three months in advance.

Please find and overview on the different funding programs for Music and Performing Arts here: BMKOES – Arts and Culture Division (Division IV)

Cultural Section of BMEIA
The global network of the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs an act as a door opener for Austrian companies wishing to access new markets, provides local support and advocates corresponding international framework conditions for Austrian companies. In order to support cultural projects, the Cultural Section of BMEIA offers grants for cultural or scientific projects – at home and abroad.

Austrian Cultural Fora
The network of Austrian Cultural Fora abroad organizes cultural and scientific projects and acts as a service point for Austrian creative artists as well as scientists. They are oriented on the specific needs of its local users and partners and have sole responsibility as to the content of their programs.

Austrian Federal Provinces Some of Austria´s Federal Provinces provide services and information on grants and travel support. Have a look at our list compiled and regularly updated by mica – music austria.

Other Funding Opportunities for International Activities

GO INTERNATIONAL

Go International is an initiative of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW) and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ) to support export activities of Austrian small and medium-sized enterprises. Austrian exporters can receive direct financial support from go-international to meet targeted goals. All programs are managed through the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber’s International Department and trade promotion organization, ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA.

Further Information:

VIENNA BUSINESS AGENCY

The Vienna Business Agency is the first address for national and international companies. It provides financial support, buildings and impulses for urban development as well as free service and advice. The Vienna Business Agency aims to strengthen Viennese companies and their innovativeness.

Vienna Business Agency
Guide on internationalisation initiatives (PDF)

TelepART grant

The Finnish Institute in Germany [Finnland-Institut Deutschland] promotes artistic cooperation between Finland, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The TelepART program addresses aspiring talents in the field of performing arts (theatre, performance, circus, dance and music). What is special about the TelepART grant is that the funding will be made available to the artists within a short period of time.

Link: Finnland-Institut Deutschland

CULTURE MOVES EUROPE: MOBILITY FOR ARTISTS AND PROFESSIONALS

CULTURE MOVES EUROPE is a program that supports the mobility of artists and cultural workers. It is part of Creative Europe’s Culture concept. Rolling calls for all sectors will be open at once, every year between autumn and spring. It connects artists, creators, and cultural professionals from the countries participating in the Creative Europe programme. The mobility scheme is particularly focused on emerging artists. Types of grants are: 1. INDIVIDUAL MOBILITIES ACTION and 2. RESIDENCES. For more info, see our ful article.

Link: Detailed Program and Application Info (PDF)