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South Arts’ Launchpad offers resources for new presenting professionals

Becoming a presenter for the first time can be daunting. Where can I find the best artists for my community? How do I apply my marketing and management skills to a new position? How do I negotiate contracts to be fair to my organization and the artist? Who can I call for advice? [caption id="attachment_24217" align="alignright" width="225"]PAE-2015-Juried-Showcase-313 Philadanco performing at 2015 PAE Juried Showcases – Photograph by Bruce France[/caption] South Arts' program, Launchpad, is designed to provide a year-long support system to professionals who are new to the performing arts presenting field in South Arts' nine-state region. Launchpad offers professional development, mentorship, and a travel subsidy for participation at the 2017 Performing Arts Exchange in Atlanta, Ga. In addition, there is an opportunity to receive funding to join your statewide presenters’ network and to support artist fees for presenting one of our 2017 juried showcase artists. Up to 10 presenters will be selected in the second cohort. The goals of this pilot:

  • Provide professional development for new presenting professionals
  • Share resources for identifying high-quality artists
  • Support learning through a peer network group and individual mentoring
Selected applicants will receive:
  • Travel subsidy for attending the 2017 Performing Arts Exchange (PAE), September 25-28, 2017 in Atlanta, Ga. (up to $1,000)
  • Presenting grant to book a 2017 PAE juried showcase artist for the 2018-2019 season (up to $2,500)
  • Support for statewide presenters’ network annual dues/fees (up to $200)
  • Connection to a mentor
Only executive directors, associate directors, or programming directors (i.e., individuals responsible for curating/programming season) that have been in their presenting role for less than two years prior to the Performing Arts Exchange start date are eligible to apply. Previous PAE attendees are not eligible. Complete eligibility requirements and guidelines are available online. Applicants are encouraged to contact Nikki Estes, Program Director, at 404-874-7244 ext. 16 to discuss eligibility prior to submitting an application. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. (Eastern Time) June 1, 2017.

South Arts hosting 2016 Performing Arts Exchange in Orlando, Fla.

Early bird registration ends July 29. The Performing Arts Exchange, hosted by South Arts, is the primary marketplace and forum for performing arts presenting and touring – artists and work, ideas, learning and information – in the eastern US. This year's PAE takes place Sept. 26-29 in Orlando, Fla. Conference activities include live performances, professional development workshops, networking and hospitality events. The purpose of PAE is to connect artists with audiences by fostering excellence in all aspects of presenting and touring the performing arts. Registration fees vary for presenters, supporters, artists and students. Early bird registration ends July 29. Find out more on the PAE website. Via: South Arts

South Arts introduces year-long support system for new presenting professionals

Application deadline extended to February 8, 2016 Becoming a presenter for the first time can be daunting. Where can I find the best artists for my community? How do I apply my marketing and management skills to a new position? How do I negotiate contracts to be fair to my organization and the artist? Who can I call for advice? [caption id="attachment_24217" align="alignright" width="250"]Performing Arts Exchange Philadanco performing at 2015 PAE Juried Showcases – Photograph by Bruce France[/caption] South Arts' new program, Launchpad, is designed to provide a year-long support system to professionals who are new to the performing arts presenting field in South Arts' nine-state region. This new program offers professional development, mentorship, and a travel subsidy for participation at the 2016 Performing Arts Exchange in Orlando, Fla. In addition, there is an opportunity to receive funding to join your statewide presenters’ network and to support artist fees for presenting one of our 2016 showcase artists. Up to seven presenters will be selected in this inaugural cohort. The goals of this pilot:

  • Provide professional development for new presenting professionals
  • Share resources for identifying high-quality artists
  • Support learning through a peer network group and individual mentoring
Selected applicants will receive:
  • Travel subsidy for attending the 2016 Performing Arts Exchange (PAE), September 26-29, 2016, in Orlando, Fla. (up to $1,000)
  • Presenting grant to book a 2016 PAE juried showcase artist or South Arts showcase artist for the 2017-2018 season (up to $2,500)
  • Support for statewide presenters’ network annual dues/fees (up to $200)
  • Connection to a mentor
Only executive directors, associate directors, or programming directors (i.e., individuals responsible for curating/programming season) that have been in their presenting role for less than two years prior to the Performing Arts Exchange start date are eligible to apply. Previous PAE attendees are not eligible. Complete eligibility requirements and guidelines are available online. Applicants are encouraged to contact Nikki Estes, program director, at (404) 874-7244, ext. 16, to discuss eligibility prior to submitting an application. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. (Eastern Time) on February 8, 2016. Via: South Arts

Three S.C. organizations selected for South Arts Dance Touring Initiative

[caption id="attachment_19163" align="alignright" width="300"]RIOULT Dance NY RIOULT Dance NY is one of the companies providing residencies for the Dance Touring Initiative[/caption] The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina in Hilton Head, the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, and Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College in Columbia have been selected for the third cohort of 10 arts presenters participating in South Arts' Dance Touring Initiative (DTI), a competitive and intensive three-year program supporting performing arts presenters throughout the South. With funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, venues across the South will develop a rich selection of performances, workshops, and audience engagement activities to connect local audiences with touring modern dance and contemporary ballet companies. “We are excited to begin our third DTI cycle,” said Nikki Estes, program director with South Arts. “The first two cycles have connected over 30,000 audience members throughout the South with modern dance and contemporary ballet, and we look forward to broadening that impact over the coming years. After the start of this third cycle, we will have 26 active arts presenters in the initiative as a network and learning community among dance presenters.” The third cohort of presenter participants:

  • Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Hilton Head Island, SC
  • Arts Council of Central Louisiana, Alexandria, LA
  • Bologna Performing Arts Center, Cleveland, MS
  • City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs, Charleston, SC
  • Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, LA
  • Duke Performances/Duke University, Durham, NC
  • Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College, Columbia, SC
  • Kentucky Center for the Arts, Louisville, KY
  • Memphis Development Foundation/The Orpheum Theatre, Memphis, TN
  • Paramount Theatre/City of Goldsboro, Goldsboro, NC
The 26 arts presenters come from eight Southern states (Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee) and will receive professional development, take part in residency planning visits with artistic directors from major national dance companies, and receive financial support to provide both educational programming and public performances for their audiences. “DTI enables these organizations to expand their already solid community partnerships,” said Suzette M. Surkamer, executive director of South Arts. “This training provides presenters with additional platforms to garner a larger and stronger audience base, especially around modern dance and contemporary ballet.” About South Arts South Arts, a nonprofit regional arts organization, was founded in 1975 to build on the South’s unique heritage and enhance the public value of the arts. South Arts’ work responds to the arts environment and cultural trends with a regional perspective. South Arts offers an annual portfolio of activities designed to address the role of the arts in impacting the issues important to our region, and to link the South with the nation and the world through the arts. For more information, visit www.southarts.org.  

South Arts offering Regional Touring and Block Booking grants

[caption id="attachment_18692" align="alignright" width="270"]Brian Blade Brian Blade and Hallelujah Train perform at the Savannah Music Festival. Photo: Ayano Hisa[/caption] South Arts is currently accepting Regional Touring and Block Booking grant applications. Presenters from within the organization's nine-state region (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee) can request up to $7,500. These grants support performing arts presenting organizations for engagements by guest artists (theatre, music, opera, musical theatre and dance) from outside of the presenter’s state. The project must include publicly accessible performances and educational activities that provide opportunities for people to participate in the arts. Regional Touring grant applications are due March 2 and Block-Booking applications are due by March 9. Find out more on South Arts' website. Via: South Arts

Presenting organizations: help select artists for Southern Exposure, apply for fee support

Funding opportunities will be announced in December. The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation has revised Southern Exposure, a national initiative that brings exemplary contemporary and traditional performing artists from Latin America to U.S. audiences. The grants process has been simplified, and the program will be more accessible to a broader range of presenters. Fee support will now be available to nonprofit presenters based anywhere in the United States and its territories that book artists from a curated roster that will change annually. The program will no longer accept applications from presenters for support of engagements by artists they have self-identified for engagements. Help Select the 2015-2016 Artist Roster The artist roster for the next funding cycle is currently in formation. Read about the candidates under consideration and take a brief survey to help choose the artists. The survey closes on Friday, December 5, 2014. Only presenters based in the United States and its territories are eligible to take the survey. The 2015-2016 artist roster will be announced in December 2014. Funding will be available for roster engagements taking place between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016. Instructions on booking artists and receiving funding will be made available when the roster is announced. Questions? Contact Robyn Busch at robyn@midatlanticarts.org Image: Companhia Urbana de Dança, Brazil Via: Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation

Japan Foundation grants for Japanese performing arts

The Japan Foundation is accepting proposals for projects to receive Performing Arts JAPAN touring and collaboration grants for fiscal 2014 - 2015. This program is designed to provide financial assistance for nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Canada that aim to introduce Japanese performing arts to local audiences. Deadline for applications is October 21, 2013. The touring grants assist with the presentation of Japanese performing arts at multiple locations in the U.S. and/or Canada, with an emphasis on locations outside major metropolitan areas where there is little exposure to the Japanese performing arts. The collaboration grants facilitate collaborations between Japanese and American/Canadian artists so that they may create a new work with the potential to develop into a touring project and further an appreciation of Japanese culture when presented to audiences in the U.S. and Canada. To be eligible for an award, the project must present Japanese performing arts and/or conduct performing arts collaboration between Japanese and American/Canadian artists. Grants are awarded only to U.S.-based or Canada-based nonprofit organizations. The proposed project must commence between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015. For tours, the project must tour to at least two locations outside New York and Los Angeles. For collaborations, the project must be a new work jointly explored and created by Japanese artists and American/Canadian artists. Visit the Japan Foundation's website for complete guidelines and to view past recipients. Via: The Japan Foundation

Performing Arts Exchange: THE place to book and showcase performing artists

The Performing Arts Exchange, or PAE, is an annual performing arts booking, showcasing and professional development conference managed by South Arts and hosted by a different eastern city each year.  The 2013 PAE is scheduled for Sept. 23-26 in Nashville, TN. PAE is the primary marketplace and forum for performing arts presenting and touring – artists and work, ideas, learning and information – in the eastern U.S.  The purpose of PAE is to connect artists with audiences by fostering excellence in all aspects of presenting and touring the performing arts. Who should attend?

  • Presenters -- people who bring artists to communities. Presenters may run venues or rent places for the touring artist to perform.
  • Supporters -- people from organizations who are associated with the presenting and touring but are not directly touring or presenting. Supporters may also be agents, managers, or artists who are not attending the Performing Arts Exchange to do business.
  • Exhibitors -- artists, agents and managers attending the conference to book tour dates and showcase their artists.
Early bird registration pricing ends July 31. Single Day Passes, Artist Passes and Student rates are available. Find out more and register on South Arts website.  Joy Young, director of performing arts and presenting for the S.C. Arts Commission, can answer questions for S.C. presenters and performing artists who are unsure about attending. Email Joy or call (803) 734-8203. Via: South Arts  

South Arts awards $28,836 to South Carolina arts organizations

South Arts announces a total of $28,836 awarded to South Carolina arts organizations for fiscal year 2013-14 to present touring artists. Through the Regional Touring program, the National Endowment  for the Arts and South Arts partner to offer nonprofit presenting organizations fee support to present artists from outside of their states. Touring support is awarded for theatre, music, opera, musical theatre and dance projects that contain both a public performance and an educational component.

South Carolina grant recipients and amounts:
  • Arts Center of Coastal Carolina (Hilton Head), $5,475
  • City of Charleston (Charleston), $3,525
  • Clemson University (Clemson), $3,861
  • Peace Center Foundation (Greenville), $6,100
  • Rock Hill School District (Rock Hill),$3,825
  • University of South Carolina Educational Foundation (Columbia), $2,860
  • Walhalla Civic Auditorium (Walhalla), $3,190
A total of 126 applications were submitted from South Arts’ nine-state region, and 100 projects totaling $433,193 in funding will be supported by grants. The following states are in South Arts’ region: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. About South Arts South Arts, a nonprofit regional arts organization, was founded in 1975 to build on the South’s unique heritage and enhance the public value of the arts. South Arts’ work responds to the arts environment and cultural trends with a regional perspective. South Arts offers an annual portfolio of activities designed to address the role of the arts in impacting the issues important to our region, and to link the South with the nation and the world through the arts.
Via: South Arts

South Carolina presenters invited to meet in Florence

South Carolina presenters and presenting organizations are invited to a gathering in Florence, S.C., on Thursday, May 30 at the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center. The event begins at noon with lunch and will conclude at 4 p.m. A highlight of the event will be the opportunity to meet and interact with two guest speakers: Perry Mixter, president of Mixter Consulting Services and former president of the North Carolina Presenters Consortium, and Bob Boyer, executive director of Tennessee Presenters. Both have agreed to share their experiences in starting a presenters’ consortium and suggest steps that South Carolina presenters can take to do the same. Also on the agenda is a discussion of potential block-booking opportunities for 2013-2014 and future seasons. Laura Sims, director of the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center, is working in partnership with Joy Young, director of performing arts and presenting at the South Carolina Arts Commission, to offer this exciting opportunity to build collaborative relationships among South Carolina presenters. The event is free, but registration is required. To register or for more information, contact Laura Sims, (843) 661-1720. Hotel discount opportunities are available for attendees who wish to spend the night in Florence. [caption id="attachment_5919" align="alignnone" width="600"]Frances Marion University Performing Arts Center Frances Marion University Performing Arts Center[/caption]    

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