May 18, 2023
A few weeks ago, we announced optimistic plans for a fully Virtual Networking Series aimed at meeting the needs of the Ontario Performing Arts, Touring and Presenting sector.
The Fall Virtual Networking Series is a three part series of events, which will take place from the middle of September to the end of October. The series will include activities such as Agent Pitches, Virtual Artist Showcases, and One-on-One meetings.
Agent Pitch Sessions
The series begins with several Agent Pitch Sessions taking place from September 11th to 22nd, 2023. Artist representatives, agents and managers will be invited to pitch works to targeted groups of Ontario Presents’ presenting networks, including the Volunteer-Run Venue presenters, Professional Southern-based presenters, the Community Presenters Network (Small Halls), the Ontario Classical Music Network, and the Northern Young Audience presenters.
The presenters will determine which agents will be invited to the various pitch sessions. Invitations will be sent out to agents and artist representatives at the end of August, 2023. Once invited, each agent or artist representative will be required to accept the invitation and prepare to pitch for an allotted 15 minutes. Agents will pitch works from artists who are best suited to each presenter group. Each presenter is welcome to attend any Agent Pitch session that might be of interest to them.
Artist Showcases
This part of the series will focus on Artist Showcases that will take place on October 3rd, 4th, & 5th, 2023. Artists will be invited to apply and, if selected by a jury of their peers, submit 5 minute videos outlining a show or project that is ready to be toured across Ontario. We especially invite artists who identify as Indigenous, Black, or People of Colour, artists with disabilities, Deaf artists, as well as artists from the LGBTQ2S+ community to apply. 30 artists will be selected to be featured in one of two multidisciplinary showcases. There is no application fee. Each showcase will be screened twice per day and will be available afterwards with timestamps to help viewers maximize their time.
Please note that the following dates are subject to change based on availability and further consultations.
Artist showcase applications will open at the end of May, 2023 and will close at the end of June, 2023. Artists will be notified of acceptance by mid-August, 2023.
The tentative dates for Artist Showcases are as follows:
- Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023
- Wednesday, October 4th, 2023
- Thursday, October 5th, 2023
One-on-One Meetings
The final part of the series will be scheduled One-on-One meetings between artist representatives and presenters between October 16th to November 1st, 2023.
Agents and artist representatives will be offered the opportunity to meet virtually with individuals or groups of presenters based on the interest and availability of the parties involved. This phase of the networking series is meant to provide opportunities for discovery and follow-up between presenters, artists and representatives.
We are busily making plans for the Fall Virtual Networking Series that will bring us all together for conversation, connection, and art. Further details of each phase of the series will be announced within the coming weeks as we continue to have conversations with our various stakeholders.