The Australia Council recently released details of 'Playing the World', an initiative of its Theatre Board and Audience and Market Development Division, designed to extend the ability of Australian performing arts practitioners to tour internationally and attend overseas ‘markets’ or trade fairs. Funded to the tune of A$200,000 annually for 2002 and 2003, the will support airfares and freight costs, and each bid for funds will be assessed in a strict eight-week turn-around – intended to allow companies and individuals the ability to respond rapidly to overseas offers. Criteria for applications include: the need for a high degree of innovation and artistic merit, benefits to the applicant and to Australian theatre, and the project’s potential to promote the cultural diversity of Australian theatre. Applicants must also submit a well-developed international market development strategy. Australia Council CEO Jennifer Bott, speaking at the program's launch, hoped that the initiative would be ‘an extremely useful and appreciated fund for our best artists.’ Further information is available online at: www.ozco.gov.au/theatre/playing.html