Virtual Networking Series

Connect, Pitch, and Showcase with Ontario’s Performing Arts Community

VNS Showcase/Pitch Session Line-Up


Each fall, Ontario Presents hosts a free Virtual Networking Series that provides opportunities for performing arts professionals - presenters, artists, and agents - to engage, gather online, and find programming for upcoming seasons. 

The series offers online agent pitch sessions, artist showcases, and additional opportunities for connection to the following partner networks:

Agent Pitch Sessions

An opportunity for agents to pitch works suitable to Ontario Presents’ various members and partner presenting networks. Agents customize their pitches to reflect the individual networks’ venue capabilities, audience and community requirements.
 

Artist Showcases

A great vehicle for artists to share a performance or project that is ready to tour across Ontario for the next season. Artists will be invited to apply at no cost and, if selected by a jury of presenters, submit a 5 minute video. 30-40 artists will be selected to be featured in one of two multidisciplinary showcases and one Young Audience showcase shown over 3 days. All OP members and partner networks will be invited to watch the showcases.
 

Want to take part?

A call for applications is announced in early spring followed by a submission deadline of early summer. Sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Facebook or Instagram to receive VNS information first. If you're looking for more opportunities to connect, check out the annual spring retreat.

 

FAQs

How do artists register to showcase at the next fall Virtual Networking Series? 
  • A call for artist applications to showcase will be announced in Spring 2025 with a submission deadline of early Summer 2025 (dates are approximate).
  • After artists/companies are notified they have received a showcase spot, they are given approximately 4 weeks to prepare and upload a 5 minute video pitch presentation.
  • Sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Facebook or Instagram to receive VNS information first. 
How long are the showcase presentations?
  • Approximately 30-40 artists will be selected to showcase and each selected artist will prepare a 5 minute pitch video. These submissions will then be compiled into 3 separate presentations (2 multidisciplinary and 1 young audience) to share with the presenting community.
  • The Multidisciplinary Showcases are approximately 90 minutes and the Young Audience Showcase is approximately 60 minutes.
When will the artist Showcase Presentations Pitches take place?

Artist showcase presentations happen in early October and will be held via Zoom over 3 consecutive days (exact dates to be determined).  Each showcase presentation will be screened in the morning and evenings.

Will there be an opportunity to engage with presenters, agents and artists?
  • Artists, presenters, agents, and managers can engage via the Zoom Chat function during each session.
  • Ontario Presents will facilitate further connections between artists and presenters after the showcases in the form of scheduled one-on-one meetings.
  • The annual Spring Retreat is another in-person gathering for engagement.
Do the artists and agents have to be present online during the showcase presentation event in October?

While we encourage you to attend in order to interact with presenters (e.g. by answering questions in the chat), and to support other artists, presenters and networks, online presence is not mandatory for artists or agents.

Will the Showcase Presentation recordings be available after the initial viewing?

Recordings will be available for on-demand viewing on the Ontario Presents website after the event.

Can presenters register for multiple days of the VNS event?

Presenters are encouraged to register for as many showcases as possible. Each day will feature a different group of artists. 

As an artist, how do I make a pitch or showcase video? 
  • How to Make a Pitch SLIDE Deck (Information on pitch content and how to film and upload your video)
  • How to Make a Pitch VIDEO (A recorded interview with an artist, agent and presenter providing tips on what to include in your pitch presentation/ explanation of the project. Synopsis of this recording is also available in the Slide Deck.
  • A written TRANSCRIPT of the video recording is also available.

 

 

2024 Virtual Networking Series

It was such a pleasure to see so many of our Canadian touring and presenting colleagues come together to see 40 incredible artists’ work and build lasting connections across a virtual platform in the fall of 2024.  We extend our warmest thanks and gratitude to each and every artist, arts administrator, creative director, agent, manager, arts worker, and arts programmer who continue to make this series a success for the creative sector.

 

Multidisciplinary Artist Pitches - October 1st
 

Explore the digital handout here or explore that artist links below.

 

Young Audience Artist Pitches - October 2nd
 

Explore the digital handout here or explore that artist links below.

 

Multidisciplinary Artist Pitches - October 3rd
 

Explore the digital handout here or explore that artist links below.

 

 

2023 Virtual Networking Series

Multidisciplinary Pitches - October 3rd

Explore the digital handout here.

 

Young Audience Pitches - October 4th

Explore the digital handout here.

 

Multidisciplinary Pitches - October 45th

Explore the digital handout here.

 

 

Updates from the OP Board of Directors

Statement on the Closure of Contact ONTour - March 2024 

Ontario Presents Fall Networking Update - May 2023 

Our Gratitude

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage, The Ontario Arts Council, and the Canada Council for the Arts.