Arts Council England (ACE) has opened the application process for its new £45m Strategic touring programme, which aims to encourage collaboration between cultural organisations.

New guidance for prospective applicants has also been published, with the scheme offering awards of at least £10,000 towards theatre, dance, music, literature and visual arts touring.

The programme is open to any individual, organisation or consortia that meets the eligibility criteria, while museums and libraries can also apply if work is "primarily arts focused".

It is one of the ways which ACE is investing strategic funding between 2012 and 2015 and is financed largely through its National Lottery income.

The strategic funding also complements a £1.04bn investment in National Portfolio groups and aims to target key areas and take advantage of new opportunities.

ACE chief executive Alan Davey said: "Touring will be really important in achieving the Arts Council's goal of seeing more people in England experience and be inspired by the arts.

"This programme is about us taking a longer term approach, working alongside cultural organisations to find creative and innovative ways to make sure that people, wherever they live, have access to great art."

Details: www.artscouncil.org.uk

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