Free resources
Resources marked with this symbol are free to anyone to access.
Here is a list of our rural touring focused resources. Some of these are only available to our members.
If you haven’t yet decided whether to join NRTF, you can still sign up to receive our free quarterly newsletter, using the link below.
We are currently updating this page and adding more resources, please do check back again soon.
Members Only
Resources marked with this symbol are for NRTF members only.
Getting Started
Are you an artist who wants to get their work into Rural Touring?
It can certainly be difficult to know where to start, but we are here to help. At NRTF we are not directly responsible for programming work, that is the job of Rural Touring Schemes. Visit our member listings page to see a map of Schemes and view their profiles.
If you are interested in Rural Touring, there are a few key places to start.
The Rural Touring Guide
A brand new guide to help anyone get started in Rural Touring – launched end of August 2025. (This guide replaces Eyes Wide Open, which was published in 2008).
Tour Pack Essentials
Tour Pack’s are a great way of making sure Schemes and programmers have all the information they need.
Are You Ready For Rural Touring? Quiz
This is an 11 question quiz to consider whether your work is suitable for rural touring, it’s a really simple way to get a feel for what you need to know.
Brighton Fringe Academy Video
This is a great introduction to Rural Touring, with guest speakers and some great discussions. You can see the video at the end of this page.
Scheme Directory
A directory of rural touring schemes, including information on what they programme and when to contact them.
Member Newsletters
Missed an email or faced by an overwhelming inbox? Catch up on our member newsletters here, all in one place.
Finance
Fundraising Support
New Fundraising Support for Artists & Promoters – Exclusive Discount for NRTF Members!
Grants and Bursaries
Coming soon – financial support for NRTF members to attend shows, meetings, and our annual Conference.
Marketing
Marketing for Rural Audiences
In this hour-long presentation Stephanie Jessop takes you through the ins and outs of marketing for rural touring. From why your leaflets should be portrait to the way you describe your show.
Also included are downloadable PDFs with more details and information.
Creating Copy for Schemes, Promoters and Audiences
There are some key differences when it comes to marketing a Rural Touring show, click on the button to find out more and download our guide.
For Promoters
PRS Information for Village Halls
Music licensing can be difficult to understand and navigate. We’ve pulled together some information for community venues to help make things easier.
For Schemes
Edinburgh Fringe 2024 Shows
Reviews/Recommendations
These recommendations are by and for the Rural Touring Schemes and Promoters.
Please contact Hattie for the google sheets link, use the button or email membership@nrtf.org.uk
Scheme/Promoter Members Only
Go & See Grants 2025
NRTF and RTDI are delighted to offer, as part of membership benefits for schemes and their promoters ‘Continuing Professional Development’ grants.
Scheme Members only benefit
The RTDI grants are also open to non-members, such as dance ambassadors, associate venues and current or previous RTDI artists. These grants will specifically be awarded to those wishing to see dance work.
Rural Evidence and Data Review
Analysis of Arts Council England investment, arts and cultural participation and audiences, March 2015
Scheme Members Only
Conference 2024 Review
A review of the NRTF Conference 2024, which took place in Blackpool and Poulton-le-Fylde
Scheme Members Only
Research and Reports
Rural England Research Note on Rural Touring Arts Schemes
Contributing to community enhancement through rural touring arts: CONCERTA is a national study of the benefits, for local community development, of a relatively under-researched form of creative activity: rural touring arts.
Julie’s Bicycle Report
National Rural Touring Forum exploration into the environmental impacts, practices and carbon footprint of Rural Touring in partnership with Julie’s Bicycle, May 2023.
Conference Resources
NRTF Conference 2024
Visit this page to view resources from our annual conference in 2024 – Linguistic Illuminations.
NRTF Conference 2025
Visit this page to view resources from our annual conference in 2025 – Immersion.
Member Meeting Resources
What Next? Rural – 16th July – Access
These meetings are open to all involved in Rural Touring, you do not have to be a member to attend. You can find out more about our member meetings here.
NRTF members are able to re-watch the presentations or catch up if they missed it, using the orange button.