Free online briefing on 22 July will unpack the increasingly complicated US artist visa process.
With international touring lawyer Matthew Covey on hand to answer questions.
Australian artists and their teams weighing up US tours will have the chance to get some straight answers on the US visa process, with Sounds Australia and Creative Australia hosting a free online information session on Wednesday 22 July.
The US artist visa process has never been simple, but the past two years have made it genuinely difficult to navigate. Frequently changing rules, processing delays, shifting enforcement at consulates and at the border, and the broader political climate in the United States have prompted some Australian artists to reconsider US touring plans altogether, while plenty more are simply concerned and confused about what to expect.
To help cut through the uncertainty, the session will feature guest speaker Matthew Covey, attorney and executive director of Tamizdat, a New York based non-profit that specialises in international artist mobility and has guided thousands of performers through the US visa system. Covey will give attendees a clearer picture of the current state of play, including what has changed, what to watch out for, and how artists and their teams can best prepare.
For grassroots artists and the businesses that support them, the stakes are real. The US remains a key market for Australian acts looking to build international careers, and visa complications can derail tours, showcases and industry opportunities months in the making. Getting reliable, up to date information from someone working at the coalface of the system is a rare and valuable opportunity.
The session kicks off at 11:30 AM AEST on Wednesday 22 July (11:00 AM in the NT, 9:30 AM in WA) and will be held online, with a link sent to registered attendees 48 hours before the event. Registration is essential.
