This application is for participation in the PADX England trip as a Fellow. Artists, agents, and managers from music disciplines with demonstrated ability and experience in successful touring are eligible to apply to be a PADX Fellow. A maximum of 6 individuals will receive subsidized travel and expenses (~$2,000 towards the total trip cost) to attend WOMEX in October 2024 between the 23 - 27 in Manchester, UK.
PADX England
PADX, the Performing Arts Discovery (PAD) program’s collaborative initiative with the International Trade Administration, will finish off its second year by taking a delegation of artists, agents, and other performing arts professionals to the Worldwide Music Expo (WOMEX). The biggest conference of the global music scene and the leading networking platform for the world music industry, WOMEX brings together over 2,600 performing arts professionals from 90 countries for five days of networking, showcasing, connection, and learning.
PADX offers a unique opportunity to maximize everything WOMEX has to offer: immerse yourself in this global music hub under the banner of WAA and share the experience with others from the WAA community as you make new connections with performing arts professionals from all over the world.
The goal of the PADX initiative is to expand the international reach of U.S. artists by facilitating relationship-building with international partners and audiences. In partnership with the ITA through the Market Development Cooperator Program, PADX will provide travel support, technical assistance, market research resources, and access to experts on the ground in international markets for delegations of artists to participate in overseas conferences and events, beginning with our inaugural trip to WOMEX in October 2023, ISPA Congress in Perth, Australia in 2024, and this second trip to WOMEX in 2024.
THE DELEGATION
The PADX team will facilitate a delegation made up of a maximum of 6 individuals (artists, agents, and other performing arts professionals) to WOMEX this fall.
Fellows – PADX will select 6 individuals to participate in the trip as Fellows. Fellows receive a subsidized price for the trip, along with access to experts on the ground — one-to-one meetings with local arts professionals and commerce consulates — plus participation in a special pitch session. You can find a list of additional benefits on the PADX webpage. There is no deposit requirement to apply for a Fellowship position. A $500 USD deposit will be required at time of acceptance to secure your spot. This deposit will be applied to your total trip balance. Balances must be paid in full by May 10, 2024.
PADX FELLOW ELIGIBILITY
Artists, agents, and managers working in a music discipline with demonstrated ability and experience in successful touring may apply to be a PADX Fellow by filling out the application form by the April 12th deadline.
PADX FELLOW SELECTION CRITERIA
PADX Fellows will be selected based on the following criteria:
- Artistic excellence (15 points)
Does the artist/ensemble/project demonstrate a high level of artistry and expressiveness? Does the work convey the cultural and aesthetic plurality of American music to international audiences in a compelling way? (As evidenced in the work samples.) - Readiness to tour (15 points)
Do the history, experience, and promotional assets demonstrate a readiness to tour internationally? (Based on touring history, promotional assets, and work samples.) - Impact (15 points)
How will your participation in the program support your goals? To what extent will the financial support impact your ability to participate? (Based on your statement of interest in WOMEX and financial need statement.) - Previous program participation (5 points)
PAD Showcase artists (all cohorts) will receive priority consideration.
PADX FELLOW APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- A short, written pitch for a performance, project, or artist (max 350 words)
- A short, written statement of interest in WOMEX: which international markets are you interested in entering? Why do you believe your music is a good match for those markets? (max 350 words)
- A short, written financial need statement (250 words)
- Two live performance video samples of work you have toured, or plan to tour. Each sample must be no longer than 15 minutes. Each sample must include a minimum of one and a maximum of two full songs. Promotional videos will not be considered.
- Acknowledgement of total participation cost
- Confirmation of your ability and commitment to provide a $500 non-refundable deposit by DEPOSIT DEADLINE, if you are selected as a PADX Fellow.
- Confirmation of your ability and commitment to cover the program costs not covered by the ~$2,000 fellowship by the balance deadline of May 31, 2024.
PROGRAM TIMELINE
Wednesday, March 13
PADX Fellow applications open
Friday, April 12
PADX Fellow applications close
Friday, April 19
PADX Fellow applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application
Wednesday, May 10
Deadline for PADX Fellow deposits ($500). Note that the deposit is required to secure your participation
Friday, May 31
Balance due for Fellows
May TBA
Pre-trip virtual meeting
Monday, October 21 - Tuesday, October 22
Travel days
Wednesday, October 23 – Sunday, October 27
WOMEX — Manchester, UK
Sunday, October 27
Travel home
Please direct any questions to lcortez@westarts.org or staff@westarts.org.