ArtHouse Jersey and Guernsey Arts have announced a third year of funding for the Channel Islands Touring Fund.
This continues a successful initiative that supports musicians from Jersey and Guernsey to tour, collaborate and build audiences across the Channel Islands, Normandy and Brittany. Delivered in partnership with Jersey’s Creative Island Partnership and funded by the Government of Jersey alongside Guernsey Arts, the Touring Fund has become a vital source of support for professional musicians seeking to develop their careers through live performance and cross-border cultural exchange.
Following two highly successful years, musicians are once again actively encouraged to come forward and apply, with funding available to help cover travel costs associated with touring and live performances across the region.
The fund is open to a wide range of music practitioners including bands, solo artists, singer-songwriters, sound artists and classical musicians. It also supports independent promoters and non-profit organisations such as festivals and venues who are programming Channel Islands artists. The fund enables musicians to grow audiences locally and internationally, take up invitations to perform in France’s vibrant live music scene, and develop meaningful inter-island and international creative connections.
Since launching in 2023, the Channel Islands Touring Fund has supported many bands and artists from Jersey and Guernsey to tour festivals and venues including Chaos Festival, The Vault (Guernsey), La Beltane Festival (Sark), The Blue Note, St James and Bergefest (Jersey). These opportunities have enabled artists to expand their reach, strengthen professional networks and reinvest in their creative practice. Applications are welcomed on a rolling basis and will continue to be assessed monthly until the fund is fully allocated.
Head of Programme for ArtHouse Jersey, James Tyson, said: “Reaching a third year of the Channel Islands Touring Fund is a real milestone and a testament to the impact this programme is having for musicians across Jersey and Guernsey, as well as enriching our local music scenes in bringing a more diverse offer of music from across the region. We know that touring is one of the most powerful ways artists can grow, creatively, professionally and in terms of audience reach, yet it’s often the hardest step to take without support. This fund is about removing barriers and encouraging musicians to be ambitious, to say yes to opportunities and to take their work beyond their home island. We welcome musicians at all stages of their professional careers and are keen to connect with audiences across the region to come forward and apply.”
Head of Arts Development for Guernsey Arts, Russ Fossey, said: “Guernsey Arts is thrilled that this initiative has become an established fund, supporting musicians across the Islands. It provides valuable opportunities for musical exchanges and career development, as well as supporting the promotion of the Islands as creative hubs. We are excited to see how this develops over the coming year.”
Pictured: Turquoise Days
