OVERVIEW
PADX is an initiative of the Performing Arts Discovery (PAD) program, developed to expand international markets and generate overseas touring opportunities for U.S. performing artists. PADX launched in September 2022 thanks to a new partnership and $300,000 grant award from the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration’s (ITA) Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) which facilitates relationship-building with international partners and provides travel support for delegations of artists to participate in overseas conferences and events.
PADX AUSTRALIA
WAA’s first PADX delegation in 2024 will head to Perth, Australia for the ISPA Congress, applications open on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.
The application deadline for Fellows is Friday, February 9.
The registration deadline for Colleagues is Friday, March 1.
A TRIP WITH WAA TO CONNECT WITH INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONALS
For our first PADX trip of 2024, WAA will take a delegation of artists and agents to the second ISPA — International Society for the Performing Arts Congress of 2024.
ISPA congresses are attended by more than 500 leaders from more than 50 regions representing different genres and disciplines within the performing arts field from all over the world. Programming is geared toward both established and emerging leaders in the performing arts. Congress attendees include presenters, festivals, producing companies, artist managers, consultants, and government cultural leaders.
PADX offers a unique opportunity to maximize everything ISPA Congress has to offer: immerse yourself in this global performing arts conversation 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 and explore the culture of "Australia's urban oasis" of Perth, nestled within the vast nature of Western Australia.
THE PADX DELEGATION
The PADX team will facilitate a delegation made up of 4-6 individuals (artists, agents, and other performing arts professionals) to ISPA Congress in Perth this spring.
The delegation will include two type of participants: Colleagues and Fellows.
Fellows – PADX will select 4-6 individuals to participate in the trip as Fellows. Fellows receive a subsidized price for the trip, along with access to experts on the ground — participation in high-level meetings with global 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.
Balances must be paid in full by March 15, 2024.
Colleagues – Individuals participating as Colleagues will receive discounted travel, registration, and accommodation as well as booking and reservation facilitation through the PADX program. While Colleagues do not receive funding and will not take part in programming provided as benefits to the Fellows, they will be a core part of the PADX unit and are invited to participate in all other organized activities. A non-refundable $500 USD deposit will be required at registration to secure a spot.
This deposit will be applied to your total trip balance.
Balances must be paid in full by March 15, 2024.
TRAVEL & ACCOMODATION
ISPA Congress will take place at various venues around Perth, venue information is forthcoming with more details from the official host: Performing Arts Connections Australia (PACA) here.
WAA will make travel and accommodation arrangements on behalf of the entire PADX delegation (Fellows and Colleagues.)
PADX Fellows and Colleagues will tentatively stay at the Novotel Perth located in Perth’s Central Business District, each participant will have a private single-occupancy room.
Novotel Hotel is a short 5-10 minute walk from all of the Perth ISPA Congress venues. The hotel is nine miles from Perth Airport (PER), and there are bus and train stops within a five-minute walk, the most direct route to the hotel will be taking the newly constructed Airport Line (Teal) to Perth’s Central Business District.
Perth
Image courtesy of Novotel Perth
HOTEL ADDRESS
Novotel Perth
388 Murray St.
Perth WA 6000, Australia
PROGRAM BENEFITS – PADX FELLOWS
PADX Fellows receive:
A subsidy of $2,450 towards the cost of the PADX trip. PADX Fellows must cover the remaining trip cost. Federal funds may not be used to cover costs that exceed the subsidy coverage offered by PADX.
Facilitation of, and discount on, travel and accommodation booking; WAA makes these arrangements on your behalf.
One-to-one meetings with local commerce consulates and art professionals.
More TBA!
WAA 2019, Corporate CloseUps
PADX FELLOW ELIGIBILITY
Artists, agents, and managers working in the performing arts with demonstrated ability and experience in successful touring may apply to be a PADX Fellow by filling out the application form by the Friday, February 9 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 ISPA and financial need statement.)
Previous program participation (5 points)
PAD Showcase artists (all cohorts) who have not previously attended a PADX trip will receive priority consideration.
PADX FELLOW APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
A short, written pitch for a performance, project, or artist (max 300 words)
A short, written statement of interest in ISPA Congress: which international markets are you interested in entering? Why do you believe your artist/group/ensemble is a good match for those markets? (max 500 words)
A short, written financial need statement (max 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 or music videos will not be considered.
Acknowledgement of total participation cost (as marked in the application)
Confirmation of your ability and commitment to cover the program costs not covered by the $2,450 scholarship by the balance deadline of March 15, 2024.
PROGRAM BENEFITS — PADX COLLEAGUES
PADX Colleague registration remains open through Friday, March 1
PADX Colleagues receive:
Facilitation of, and discount on, travel and accommodation booking; WAA makes these arrangements on your behalf.
More TBA!
How can I take part as a PADX Colleague?
PADX Colleague participation is open to all performing arts professionals. PADX Colleague spaces will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
To participate as a PADX Colleague, please fill out the registration form by the deadline of March 1, 2024 (capacity permitting). A non-refundable deposit of $500 USD, taken at registration, is required to secure your spot. The remaining balance will be invoiced in segments, and must be paid before the final deadline of March 15, 2024. Detailed application guidance and program information is available in our FAQs.
WAA 2019, Corporate CloseUps
The PADX Australia trip cost varies, depending on the category you fall under (member/non-member) and your participation type (PADX Fellow/PADX Colleague.)
PADX AUSTRALIA TRIP COST
PADX Colleague Trip Total
$4,950 USD
$5,950 USD
WAA Member
Nonmember
$2,500 USD
PADX Fellow Trip Total
$3,500 USD
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Deposits for both Fellows and Colleagues is $500 USD.
The deposit for PADX Colleagues is due at the time of registration. The deposit for PADX Fellows is due at time of acceptance of the scholarship, or no later than March 1, 2024.
PADX Fellows may not use federal funds to cover costs that exceed the subsidy coverage offered by PADX.
The final balance for both Fellows and Colleagues is due on March 15, 2024.
PADX Australia: TIMELINE
PADX Fellow dates in blue | PADX Colleague dates in green | Dates pertaining to both participation types in black
Monday, January 3
PADX Fellow applications open
PADX Colleague registration opens
Friday, February 9
PADX Fellow application close
PADX Colleague registrations remain open, capacity permitting
Friday, March 1
PADX Fellow applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application
PADX Colleague registration closes
Friday, March 15
Balance due for Fellows and Colleagues
Travel information due for Fellows and Colleagues
March TBA
Pre-trip virtual meeting — Fellows and Colleagues
Tuesday, April 30 – Friday, May 3
ISPA Congress: Perth, Australia
Background Photo by M.Fildza Fadzil on Unsplash
PADX Australia: FAQs
If your question is not addressed within our FAQs below, please reach out to PAD Program Manager, Lucero Cortez, lcortez@westarts.org.
ABOUT
What is PADX?
PADX is an initiative of the Performing Arts Discovery (PAD) program, developed to expand international markets and generate overseas touring opportunities for U.S. performing artists. PADX launched in September 2022 thanks to a new partnership and $300,000 grant award from the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration’s (ITA) Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) which facilitates relationship-building with international partners and provides travel support for delegations of artists to participate in overseas conferences and events.
PADX Australia, the first trip of 2024 will take a delegation of artists, agents, and other performing arts professionals to the ISPA Congress in Perth, Australia
What is an ISPA Congress?
Twice a year, ISPA Congresses bring together performing arts leaders from across the globe to discover the next great idea, and strengthen relationships, fostering connection and exchange. In 2024, the first ISPA congress will take place in New York in January as is typical, and the second congress in Perth, Australia. ISPA congresses are attended by more than 500 leaders from more than 50 regions representing different genres and disciplines within the performing arts field from all over the world. Programming is geared toward both established and emerging leaders in the performing arts. Congress attendees include presenters, festivals, producing companies, artist managers, consultants, and government cultural leaders.
PARTICIPATION & ELIGIBILITY
How can I participate as a PADX Fellow?
U.S.-based artists, agents, and managers working in a music discipline with demonstrated ability and experience in successful touring may apply to be a PADX Fellow.
How can I participate as a PADX Colleague?
PADX Colleague participation is open to all performing arts professionals. PADX Colleague spaces will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
To participate as a PADX Colleague, please fill out the registration form by the deadline of March 1, 2024. A non-refundable deposit of $500 USD, taken at registration, is required to secure your spot. The remaining balance must be paid by the final materials deadline of March 15, 2024.
What do I receive as a PADX Fellow?
A subsidy of $2,450 towards the cost of the PADX trip. PADX Fellows must cover the remaining trip cost. The trip cost includes registration; flights; accommodations for five nights (April 29 - May 3) and breakfast (April 30 to May 4).
Facilitation of, and discount on, travel and accommodation booking; WAA makes these arrangements on your behalf.
One-to-one meetings with local commerce consulates and art professionals.
More TBA!
What do I receive as a PADX Colleague?
Facilitation of, and discount on, travel and accommodation booking; WAA makes these arrangements on your behalf. The PADX Colleague trip cost includes registration; flights; accommodations for five nights (April 29 - May 3).
One-to-one meetings with local commerce consulates and art professionals.
More TBA!
Is Western Arts Alliance (WAA) membership a requirement to participate?
No, WAA membership is not required. However, WAA members receive a discounted price for participation in either delegation (Fellow and Colleague.)
How will PADX Fellows be selected?
A maximum of six PADX Fellows — who must be U.S.-based artists, agents, or managers working in a music discipline — 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.
How will PADX Colleagues be selected?
PADX Colleague spots are allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis upon completion of the PADX Colleague registration form and payment of the non-refundable $500 USD deposit.
Can I apply to be a PADX Fellow on behalf of my group/ensemble?
Fellows are selected as individuals, and should apply as such. If you are a part of a group or ensemble, you may apply as an individual and plan to be a representative of your group during your dedicated time at the PADX stand and during other programmed sessions.
If I do not receive the PADX Fellowship, may I instead participate as a PADX Colleague?
Yes, provided you register and pay the balance by the deadline.
What if I can’t attend the pre-trip meetings?
Attending one of the virtual pre-trip meetings (TBA) is required to participate in the program, if you are unable to participate in the upcoming pre-trip meeting please contact us for additional information.
COSTS
What should I expect to pay as a participant in PADX Australia?
Your total trip cost will depend on the category you fall under (member/nonmember) and your participation type (PADX Fellow/PADX Colleague.)
Please refer to the trip cost information for details.
PADX Fellows receive a $2,450 scholarship towards the total trip cost.
How much is the trip deposit?
Deposits for Colleagues is $500 USD.
The deposit for PADX Colleagues is due at the time of registration.
The deposit for PADX Fellows is due at time of acceptance of the scholarship. Note that PADX Fellows may not use federal funds to cover costs that exceed the subsidy coverage offered by PADX.
Are there any fees or costs that are not covered under the program?
The trip cost includes registration; flights; accommodations for five nights (April 29 - May 3). PADX participants are responsible for all other costs associated with their trip.
TRAVEL & LOCATION
Where is ISPA taking place?
The ISPA Congress event will take place in Perth, Australia; a city nestled between the coast and the forests at the edge of the desert of western Australia. ISPA Congress Venue information is still forthcoming.
How is my travel arranged? May I extend my stay?
The WAA team will gather information about your plans via a travel information form and will book flights accordingly. You must return the travel information form by March 1, 2024.
While you may choose to extend your stay, any costs incurred due to the extension of a flight that exceed the cost of a flight within the designated travel dates (4/27/24 - 4/29/24) will be your responsibility. Hotel bookings and all concurrent charges outside of the PADX date block (4/29/24 - 5/3/24) will also be your responsibility.
Where will I stay?
We are tentatively planning to book rooms with the Novotel Perth in Perth’s Central Business District, located a convenient train ride away from Perth Airport (PER)
Who will I share my room with?
No one! This trip includes a private single occupancy room for all participants whether they are attending as PADX Fellows or PADX Colleagues.
DATES
When is the PADX Australia trip taking place?
ISPA Congress dates are Tuesday, April 30 – Friday, May 3. Expect to travel from April 27 - 29
Travel home will be on Saturday, May 4.
What other dates should I be aware of?
Please refer to the PADX Australia timeline section of this webpage.
FUTURE PADX TRIPS
Will there be future PADX opportunities?
Yes! We will be taking a delegation to WOMEX 2024 in October of this year as well.
May I participate in more than one PADX trip?
PADX Fellowships are limited to one per person per calendar year. There is no participation limit for PADX Colleagues.
