A guide for Booking Performing Artists in Australia

It's very exciting organising an event and sometimes you just can't wait to get the ball rolling when it comes to entertainment, even if you don't know quite what you want (or whether you have approval to book anyone at all). So how can you make sure that the process goes as smoothly as possible?

It's important to remember that most of the time when you're engaging performers/ agencies/ artists, you are dealing with small business owners - sole traders who do all of their own admin and invoicing, emailing and promotion. They don't get paid unless the booking goes ahead so it's best practice to make sure your event can actually facilitate performers or entertainers before enagaging the performer/agency/ company in a proposal or booking process.

Event Organiser Checklist before Booking an Artist:

- Make sure you have all of the required approvals before letting the agency/ company/ performer know you wish to go ahead
- Consider where the performers will get changed, take breaks and leave their personal belongings throughout the booking. (Ask yourself where you would feel comfortable getting dressed for work, taking breaks, eating lunch and leaving your bag to get an idea of an appropriate space. Would you take your work lunch break in a public toilet?) 
- Clarify the scope of the booking and your budget, before contacting performers
- Check the performer/agency's website first and make sure that you are intersted in what they offer
- Be prepared to pay a travel fee if you are located outside a CBD area 
- Have a back-up performance area in mind in case of wet or windy weather
- Only send supplier forms and admin once you are sure you are going ahead with the booking
-Always re-book a performer through the agency/company you originally used to book them. Going directly to the performer puts them in a compromising situation and can cost them future work and their reputation

Questions?
Feel free to email us to discuss or clarify anything you have read here!