Touring Fund for CI musicians extends to France

Friday 11 October 2024

Musicians in Guernsey and Jersey are again being offered the chance of funding to perform across the islands and now into Northern France.

Guernsey Arts has announced the second year of the Channel Island Touring Fund, which has expanded it’s financial support to include gigs in Normandy and Brittany.

Launched in collaboration with ArtHouse Jersey, it forms part of the Creative Island Partnership and could support all types of musicians, including classical artists, sound artists, bands and singer-songwriters.

Successful applicants from both islands – who will be considered at the end of each month on a rolling basis – will receive cover for travel costs between the islands and France.

Eighteen bands from Jersey and Guernsey, including Guernsey-based SpaceSoul, benefited from inter-island touring opportunities this year, performing at a range venues including in Sark and Herm.

Theo Grice of SpaceSoul spoke briefly about the "game changer" fund led to the band performing in Jersey for the first time.

“The Channel Island Touring fund has been an absolute game changer for us as a small local band," he said. "We have been able to make valuable connections and meet amazing new people and for that we can’t thank Guernsey Arts enough.

"It has been so surreal being able to travel the other islands and play our music for new audiences and has already enriched island culture and music scene immensely. While all good things must come to an end we hope this doesn’t have to be one of them!”

Head of Arts Development for Guernsey Arts Russ Fossey, added: “After a successful pilot year, Guernsey Arts are thrilled to continue working with our partners at ArtHouse Jersey to provide opportunities for Guernsey musicians.

"This fund has over the last 12 months allowed grass-roots connections to be built between musicians across the Channel Islands, and we are now thrilled to expand those opportunities to France, giving our creatives the means to promote both Guernsey and Jersey talent while making new musical exchanges.”