Pacific Contact 2013 is a Wrap!
Congratulations and thanks to all delegates for attending and making the 2013 Pacific Contact such a wonderful event. It was a stellar year. The energy was fantastic in what was an intense 3 days!

I’d like to thank staff and all the volunteers for an amazing job well done. Thanks to our public funding partners, sponsors and advertisers. Thanks to our suppliers and host venues and their staff: the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, The Shadbolt Centre For The Arts and the Michael J Fox Theatre.

And now save your dates for 2014 and the 38th Annual Pacific Contact April 4-6, 2014 with a pre-conference professional development day on Thursday, April 3rd.

BCTC Awards – Congratulations to all the 2013 nominees and recipients!

Touring Artistic Company of the Year – Ballet Jorgen Canada
Presenter of the Year – Lindy Sisson, The ACT Arts Centre and Theatre, Maple Ridge.
Agent/Manager of the Year – Ginette Ferland, Bouge de là
Touring Award of Excellence – Phyllis Stenson, Harrison Festival
Raising Curtains Award – The Arts and Entertainment Management Program, Capilano University, Vancouver.

2014 Pacific Contact Showcase Application for the 38th Pacific Contact April 4-6 will be available online June 1st. Please check the Pacific Contact link for reference and general information about showcasing.
http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact

ArtsOnTour website is a great one-stop shopping for upcoming tours. This comprehensive website has agent roster, full contact information and descriptions, photos, genre specific and family and adult classifications and video and audio links. www.artsontour.com

BC Touring Council Board of Directors – Please view the About Us section of the BCTC website to see the full list of Board of BCTC. www.bctouring.org

New Job Postings can be found on the BCTC website at: http://bctouring.org/resources/job-opportunities
Submit postings to the office by emailing fyi@bctouring.org

Member News

Designer John McLachlan, producer Valley Hennell and illustrator Linda Sanborn are a finalist for Package Design for Rick’s 4-CD musical audio novel The Great Gazzoon in the prestigious 2013 Audie Awards recognizing distinction in audiobooks and spoken word entertainment.to be held in New York in May, following on the heels of Family Choice and Parents’ Choice Awards. Details of Rick’s April-May BC tour at www.rickscott.ca

Industry News

Former Children’s Festival’s Artistic Director Dies at 60 – Marjorie MacLean passed away in Vancouver last week after a long fight with cancer. Marjorie started off her career as a practicing visual artist and sculptor while also beginning to work in the performing arts. During this time she was hired as a technician for a new concept in presenting Canadian performing arts for young audiences. This was the Vancouver International Children’s Festival, an event that became the foremost North American showcase for professional children’s theatre, music and dance. From 1992 to 2000 she held the role of both artistic director and producer, establishing an international touring circuit for visiting artists from around the world to children’s festivals in Canada and the United States. For more http://www.allianceforarts.com/blog/

The BC Touring Council is a proud partner in Arts Coalition BC, a network of British Columbia’s arts service organizations. Together, we strive to raise the profile of arts and culture and address common issues with a unified voice. The coalition’s new website summarizes the positions on key provincial topics such as the BC Arts Council, Community Gaming Grants, and the newly formed Creative BC.
On the website, you will also find a toolkit for the upcoming May 14 provincial election, with information on how to make a difference in the campaign, and a page about ArtsVoteBC. “Arts Vote” is a non-partisan, grassroots social media movement everywhere elections are happening. Initially activated in some Canadian municipal elections, its purpose is to keep arts and culture on the agenda of election campaigns and increase voter turnout among arts supporters.
Our provincial version, ArtsVoteBC, is hosted by the coalition but driven by the community through Twitter. Please join the conversation: follow @ArtsVoteBC and use the #artsvotebc hashtag when sharing pertinent news, information, and resources. With your participation, website tools and social media activity will be expanding regularly through the course of the campaign. Most importantly, get out to the polls and VOTE!

Presenter of the Year: Lindy Sisson of The ACT Arts Centre and Theatre, Maple Ridge.

Touring Artist/Artistic Company of the Year: Ballet Jorgen Canada, Toronto.

Agent/Manager of the Year: Ginette Ferland of Bouge de là, Montreal.

The BC Touring Council Touring Award of Excellence recognizing an outstanding body of work, long-standing service and contribution and exemplifying excellence in the performing arts touring sector was awarded to Phyllis Stenson of the Harrison Festival, Harrison.

The Raising Curtains Award recognizing those who work behind the scenes was awarded to The Arts and Entertainment Management Program at Capilano University, Vancouver.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and members of the BC Touring Council – Congratulations to all the nominees and award recipients.

For further information about the awards and to view past award recipients please visit this page: http://bctouring.org/about/award-nominations.

In the words of Stan Hamilton, Chair of the BC Arts Council: “The BC Arts Council is pleased to be receiving a record level of funding for 2013-14. This investment will enable council to expand its support for the Community Presenters Assistance program, delivered in partnership with the BC Touring Council. We are proud to increase support for B.C. presenters, who bring the excellent work of our touring artists to communities across the province.”

The overall level of awards money in the program has been increased to $331,500 (from $230,000 this year)!

What does this mean for qualifying BC presenters?

1. Maximum level of award per application has increased to:

   -   Key Presenter: $15,000 (it was $10,000 in 2012 / $7,000 in 2011)

   -   Community Presenter: $10,000 (it was $6,000 in 2012 / $4,500 in 2011)

   -   Diverse Collaborations remains at the same level of $5,000 however, in a case where a Key or  Community Presenter wishes to also apply for Diverse Collaborations, they will be eligible for the full $5,000 in addition to their main category award.

2. Significant change in the funding level is the maximum amount eligible for artist fee which increases to $4,000 (from $2,000) per artist/company. This will facilitate the support of a broader, more diverse level of performances in many disciplines and address the rising artist fees.

The Guidelines for the program will remain the same. Only the areas around maximum award levels and the eligible amount for artist fees will change.

New forms will be available online at the BC Touring Council website later in April. We will be emailing clients when they are posted.

John McLachlan (Program Coordinator) and I are very excited by this significant increase of funding for presenters and touring artists in BC and we congratulate the BC Arts Council for its continued support of this program that has such a positive impact in all our communities.

If you’re attending Pacific Contact this week, make sure to drop by the “CPA” booth and chat with John McLachlan (BCTC) and Monique Lacerte-Roth (BC Arts Council) during the Friday and Saturday Contact Room times.

Joanna Maratta, Executive Director
BC Touring Council
POBox 547
Nelson, B.C.  V1L 5R3
T. 250-352-0021 F. 250-352-0027
fyi@bctouring.org  www.bctouring.org

Nominees for the 2013 Awards are:

Touring Artist/Artistic Company of the Year

Ballet Kelowna
Ballet Jorgen Canada
Bouge de là
Cadence
David Myles
Jesse Peters
Sarah Hagen

Presenter of the Year

Cory Philley, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby
Doti Neidermayer, Whistler Arts Council, Whistler
Kirsten Schrader, Cowichan Theatre, Duncan
Lindy Sisson, ACT Theatre and Arts Centre, Maple Ridge
Lynn VanDuersen, Langham Cultural Centre, Kaslo
Michael Cade, Chilliwack Cultural Centre, Chilliwack
Bill Usher, Kicking Horse Culture, Golden

Agent/Manager of the Year

Cameron Smillie, Ballet Jorgen Canada
Debbie Peters, Magnum Opus Management
Ginette Ferland, Bouge de là
Grant Paley, Paquin Entertainment Group

Award for Distinguished Service

Touring Award of Excellence – This award recognizes an outstanding body of work, long-standing service and contribution and exemplifies excellence in the performing arts touring sector.  The 2013 recipient for this award is Phyllis Stenson of the Harrison Festival.

Award for Behind The Scenes

The Raising Curtains Award recognizes those who work behind the scenes and contribute to the success and support of others. This year the award will be given to the Arts and Entertainment Management Program at Capilano University.

A press release announcing recipients of the Artist/Company, Presenter and Agent/Manager categories will follow the Awards Ceremony in early April. For further information about the awards and to view past award recipients please go to the BCTC website at http://bctouring.org/about/award-nominations

Pacific Contact 2013, April 5 – 7, 2013. Register Now! – What are you waiting for? Online registration, showcase line-up, schedules and other conference information is now available. Don’t delay, register today! http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact

Pre-Conference Professional Development Day
Beyond Attendance: The True Value of Performing Arts Presentation
By Inga Petri, President, Strategic Moves
-  Thursday, April 4, 2013, 9:00 am to 3:00pm
-  Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, 6083 McKay Avenue, Burnaby
-  Fee: $300 (plus HST) for 2 members of organization or $200 (plus HST) for single registration
Fundamental forces – profound demographic change, powerful mobile technologies, increasing market fragmentation, continuing economic uncertainty – are challenging the assumptions underlying the performing arts ecosystem. Over 2 years, The Value of Presenting study, spearheaded by CAPACOA and the presenting networks, has collected important new data to help make sense of these issues. Drawing from this landmark study and other recent reports on the performing arts, this workshop will trace changes in consumer behaviour due to transformative communications technologies and offer a fresh look at demographic change and attendance at performing arts. READ MORE and SIGN UP at http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/pre-conference-professional-development-day-at-pacific-contact-2013

In-Conference Workshops, Meetings & Networking – Whether it’s meeting with others from your region, sharing your success stories, gathering information and knowledge in Real Time Conversations or staying up way too late having fun in the hospitality suite, there’s hardly a dull moment at Pacific Contact. http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/workshops

Check into the Schedule for regular updates at http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/pacific-contact-2013-schedule

The Succession Plan - BCTC, CAPACOA will be delivering The Succession Plan (TSP) program at Pacific Contact from April 4-7th, 2013. For those of you that aren’t already familiar, the TSP offers one-on-one mentorship and peer networking activities to emerging and mid-career presenters, agents manager and other industry professionals. The program aims to strengthen core competencies, provide leadership development and equip participants with the tools and resources necessary to be active participants in the development of arts and culture in their community. We wanted to reach out to you in case you had a recommendation for a colleague in the early-mid stages of their career that could use the additional support and enhanced resources that this program provides. It truly is an incredible learning experience, and equips participants with a support system that they can tap into for the coming year (and beyond).  We will be accepting applications until Friday, March 15th, 2013. For application information and full details about how the program works, please visit us at: http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/tsp-at-pacific-contact.

Hilton Vancouver (Metrotown) Conference Hotel – The Vancouver (Metrotown) Hilton is the location for all conference activities except showcases. If you plan to stay at the conference hotel you need to call and book your reservation as soon as possible. A block of rooms have been reserved for April 3- 9^th, 2013. The special room rate will be available until March 15th or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first. Guests wishing to arrive early and/or leave late and take advantage of our good hotel rates for an extra stay may do so. By Telephone: Each individual guest must make his or her own reservations by calling the hotel directly at (604) 438-1200. Please identify yourself with the conference as: BC TOURING COUNCIL – PACIFIC CONTACT. For full details including online booking go to http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/hotel-information

Advertising and Sponsorship opportunities are a great way to increase exposure for you or your organization. It also shows your strong support for the BC Touring Council, our programs and services and helps offset the cost of many aspects of Pacific Contact. Please support BCTC and register now.
http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/sponsorships
http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/advertising

The Silent Auction At Pacific Contact - Bright and shiny, sparkles and spangles!  Your heart will sing, sing-a-ling!  Baubles, bangles and beads! For this year’s Silent Auction we invite you to think kitchy, retro, sexy and fun!  As you know Spirits, Wine, Beer and edibles are always great items to auction as are lovely mixed baskets, books, soap, bubble bath, chocolate and jewelry. Whatever you fancy it all contributes to raising funds for BCTC and Pacific Contact. .We appreciate your support and look forward to receiving a fabulous donated item from you. .To make contributing your auction items simple for you, please visit the following  link: http://bctouring.org/forms/auction-2013.html

2013 ARTS ON TOUR DIRECTORY – LAUNCHED! Check out the new features added to the 2013 AOT Directory listings including:
· Live Performance Links: (YouTube, Vimeo etc)
· A dedicated page listing (alphabetical) links to artists touring schedules
· Listing links to artists genre pages on the Agency page
See the amazing variety of Artists and Agents from across North America who are interested in touring in B.C., Alberta and the Pacific North West. www.artsontour.com

Job Postings – As a service to BCTC members you can list your job postings on our site. Send you listing to fyi@bctouring.org

MEMBER & INDUSTRY NEWS

BC Arts & Cuture Week Now in its 14th year, BC Arts and Culture Week April 21-27, 2013 highlights the vital contribution that arts and culture make in learning and in life. Art, in one form or another—music, film, books, visual and media arts, theatre—is part of our daily lives. It helps bring communities together and makes them more vibrant, creative, and economically diverse.  This is an open call to join the celebration of BC’s arts and culture! From artists and craft practitioners to curators and cultural programmers; from educators and their students to culturally diverse community groups; whether you live in a city, a suburb or a remote rural area of the province — everyone is welcome!  http://bcartsweek.org/events.

I WANT TO SHOWCASE – I Want to Showcase (IWTS) is a multi-conference registration site allowing artists to apply to several Contact Events across North America in one convenient place! In past years, I Want to Showcase has hosted applications for Ontario Contact, Contact East, and Alberta Showcase. This year the site will also host Arts Midwest Conference, Manitoba Showcase Contact, OSAC Showcase, Performing Arts Exchange, and Western Arts Alliance Conference. With all these conferences in one spot, IWTS wants to make the application process easy for our artists! You will receive a “recall code” directly to your inbox upon completion of your application to any conference. When you return to IWTS to start a new application for the same artist, enter your recall code in step 1, and voila! All data from your original application will be carried over – now all you need to do is some minor tweaking to ensure you’ve provided all required application info. As each conference opens its application process they will appear on the iwanttoshowcase.ca site.

Arts Northwest – The online Juried Showcase application is now open at www.artsnw.org.

Pacific Contact 2013, April 5 – 7, 2013. Register Now! – What are you waiting for?  Online registration, showcase line-up, schedules and other conference information is now available.  Regular rates apply until February 28^th.  Don’t delay, register today!  http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact

Pre-Conference Professional Development Day and Facility and Support Staff Meetings – Thursday, April 4^th – Mark your calendar to attend for the whole day of professional development and networking.  Session announcements coming soon!

In-Conference Workshops, Meetings & Networking – Whether it’s meeting with others from your region, sharing your success stories, gathering information and knowledge in Real Time Conversations or staying up way too late having fun in the hospitality suite, there’s hardly a dull moment at Pacific Contact.  Check into the Schedule  for regular updates at http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/pacific-contact-2013-schedule

Newly Added! -  Daily Showcase Schedule
http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/showcase-schedules

The Succession Plan – TSP- BCTC is pleased to partner with CAPACOA to launch The Succession Plan (TSP) at Pacific Contact 2013 – Through CAPACOA’s  mentorship and peer network development program, The Succession Plan (TSP) reaches out to emerging and mid-career presenters, arts administrators, managers, agents and other industry professionals, seeking to strengthen core competencies, provide leadership development and equip them with the tools and resources necessary to be active participants in the development of arts and culture in their community. Applications will be available online in early February.  For more information about the program go to http://www.capacoa.ca/en/services/networking/succession-plan  and contact either Joanna Maratta at BCTC or Erin Barnhardt at CAPACOA.

Hilton Vancouver (Metrotown) Conference Hotel – The Vancouver (Metrotown) Hilton is the location for all conference activities except showcases. If you plan to stay at the conference hotel you need to call and book your reservation as soon as possible. A block of rooms have been reserved for April 3- 9^th, 2013. The special room rate will be available until March 15th or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first. Guests wishing to arrive early and/or leave late and take advantage of our good hotel rates for an extra stay may do so.  By Telephone: Each individual guest must make his or her own reservations by calling the hotel directly at (604) 438-1200. Please identify yourself with the conference as: BC TOURING COUNCIL – PACIFIC CONTACT. For full details including online booking go to http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/hotel-information

Advertising and Sponsorship opportunities are a great way to increase exposure for you or your organization. It also shows your strong support for the BC Touring Council, our programs and services and helps offset the cost of many aspects of Pacific Contact. Please support BCTC and register now.
http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/sponsorships
http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/advertising

2013 ARTS ON TOUR DIRECTORY – LAUNCHED!  Check out the new features added to the 2013 AOT Directory listings including:
·        Live Performance Links: (YouTube, Vimeo etc)
·        A dedicated page listing (alphabetical) links to artists touring schedules
·        Listing links to artists genre pages on the Agency page
See the amazing variety of Artists and Agents from across North America who are interested in touring in B.C., Alberta and the Pacific North West. www.artsontour.com

BCTC Membership Renewal – For those who have renewed membership or if you are a new member, welcome! If you are planning on registering for Pacific Contact or ArtsOnTour please renew now. For those of you who have allowed your membership to lapse, please consider the benefits and support the BC Touring Council. For full information please visit http://bctouring.org/about/membership

Job Postings – As a service to BCTC members you can list your job postings on our site. Send you listing to fyi@bctouring.org

MEMBER NEWS

Welcome to Gerard Gibbs new Managing Director of the Key City Theatre, in Cranbrook,  BC.  Was raised in Detroit, Michigan and attended university at Wayne State and Indiana University.  Gerard embarked on a 23 year career as a professional oboist and a manager of orchestras in both the United States and Canada and served eight years as the Executive Director of the Empress Theatre Society in Fort Macleod, AB. In 2010 Gerard left Alberta to work for Sir John Eliot Gardiner’s Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra in London. The Rocky Mountains and small towns have always had a hold on him and so when Key City Theatre needed a new manager, he seized the opportunity. Reach Gerard at manager@keycitytheatre.com.  www.keycitytheatre.com

Harrison Festival Announces New Artistic Director and General Manger – The board of directors of the Harrison Festival is pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Hillhouse as their new Artistic/Executive Director and Mel Dunster as their new General Manger. Both appointments are effective September 1, 2013.  Hillhouse and Dunster will replace long time Festival staffers Phyllis and Ed Stenson.

Andy Hillhouse, although originally from Vancouver, is currently living in Toronto where he is completing a PhD in Ethnomusicology at the University of Toronto.  Andy has spent many years as a professional, touring musician.  He worked in both folk and classical sectors of the music industry, successfully managing his own band Mad Pudding for over ten years, winning a Juno Award with The McDades and contributing to the growth of one of Canada’s most respected vocal ensembles, Musica Intima.

Mel Dunster spent many years in Chilliwack where she was very involved in the theatre community including the University of the Fraser Valley Theatre Department, the Chilliwack Players Guild and her own theatre company Mel-o-Drama Productions.  She has a Diploma in Performing Arts from Douglas College. www.harrisonfestival.com

INDUSTRY NEWS

25^th Anniversary CAPACOA Conference Awards

Peter Feldman Honoured by CAPACOA at the 25^th Anniversary of the conference he founded.  The 2013 National Arts Centre Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring in the performing arts was presented to Peter at this prestigious annual dinner event. From all of us at BCTC, congrats Peter!

CAPACOA Touring Agent of the Year – Annick-Patricia Carrière, agence Station bleue (QC) – A graduate from the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal, Annick-Patricia Carrière held the position of Communications and Marketing Director at Montreal’s Nouvel Ensemble Moderne (NEM). She then founded the Agence Station bleue with her business partner Gabriel Paré in the year 2000. Over the past 10 years, Annick-Patricia Carrière has been devoting hers and her team’s efforts into developing the national and international careers of the agency’s artists. She is also responsible for the company’s strategic planning and development via the selection of new artistic projects. Congrats Annick Patricia! http://www.stationbleue.com/

Touring Artist of the Year – Congrats to Kid Pivot and Crystal Pite  http://kiddpivot.org/company/company

Presenter Of The Year – Congrats to Debbie Slade, Centre for the Arts at Brock University (ON)  http://www.arts.brocku.ca/

British Columbia Provincial Funding News – The B.C. government is launching BC Creative Futures, a three-part strategy to support sustainable, long-term success for the province’s creative sector, Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Bill Bennett said today. BC Creative Futures supports the provincial economy by helping to foster a creative workforce through more arts opportunities for young British Columbians, by building a comprehensive, sector-wide vision to support the development and growth of B.C.’s creative industries and by expanding capacity at Emily Carr University of Art + Design.
Part One: Arts Engagement for Creativity – BC Arts Council – By encouraging young British Columbians to think creatively through greater engagement with the arts, BC Creative Futures will nurture emerging creative leaders and help develop a future workforce of collaborative, innovative thinkers. The BC Arts Council (BCAC), an independent agency supporting artists and cultural organizations throughout the province, and the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development (MCSCD) will deliver a $6.25-million package of new and expanded existing programs to support the strategy, including:
·         Creative Youth Initiatives – $2 million (BCAC)
·         After School Sport and Arts Initiative – $1 million (MCSCD)
·         Artists in Education Program – $1 million (BCAC)
·         Co-op Placement Program – $1 million (BCAC)
·         Scholarship Program – $750,000 (BCAC)
·         Artists in the Classroom Program – $500,000 (BCAC)
BCAC’s $5.25-million share of the funding, plus additional financing from MCSCD, will increase council’s support from the B.C. government from $16.8 million in 2012-13 to a record level of $24 million in 2013-14. Read more at: http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2013CSCD0006-000156.htm

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and the BC Arts Council welcomes two new board members.  Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Bill Bennett congratulated acclaimed B.C. artistic director/choreographer Emily Molnar and successful self-taught visual artist Joseph Cross to the BC Arts Council (BCAC) board.  Bennett expressed warm thanks to three BCAC board members completing their service: Stephen Foster, Marilyn Timms and Karen Young.  For more information, visit the BCAC website at: http://www.bcartscouncil.ca

BC Government Announces New Arts and Cultural Funding Programs: Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development have announced a $1.5 million investment in two new arts programs. Funding for the BC Creative Spaces and BC Creative Communities programs comes from the 2010 Sport and Arts Legacy Fund. Application deadline is February 15, 2013. For more information go to http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/arts_culture/index.htm

Backstage Acquires Sonicbids – Backstage, the premier site for entertainment industry opportunities, has acquired Sonicbids with financial backing provided by Guggenheim Partners. See details in press release here http://www.sonicbids.com/about/backstage-acquires-sonicbids-press-release/

Hills Strategies – 2 recent reports of interest on Arts Participation/Public Engagement  and Arts & Better Health – check out their Latest Work sidebar at http://www.hillstrategies.com/

Ontario Contact 2013 Artist Submissions – Ontario Contact 2013 Showcase Applications will open February 15!  Apply online at I Want To Showcase.ca.
Also from Ontario Contact – Artist Readiness Workshop and Mock Showcase.  Attend the Artist Readiness Workshop and Mock Showcase and learn what you need to know about touring and how to apply for showcase opportunities. This workshop will provide an intense introduction covering topics such as publicity materials, concert presentations, Register for Artist Readiness Workshop and Mock Showcase running February 19 to 21, 2013 in Kitchener ON. artistreadiness2.eventbrite.com  artistreadiness1.eventbrite.com

Good News from Good Friends….
Thanks to Brenda O’Donnell  at ATAA for sharing Gerry Yoshitomi’s blog from their most recent newsletter  - www.artstouring.com
Effective Arts Leadership
“Some of the best run arts organizations in North America are those operated by volunteer leadership. I had the pleasure of meeting leaders from several at the Alberta Showcase for arts presenting organizations in Fort Saskatchewan produced by the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta (Canada). These leaders come from varying backgrounds, with a mix of degrees and professions including architecture, forestry, agriculture and medicine (both nurses and doctors). They work diligently year-around to research, book and present exceptional artists in order engage their communities in the arts. There’s no doubt about the effectiveness and high return on investment of their work. They are the cornerstones of the communities and key players in touring throughout Canada” http://www.meaningmattersnet.net/

37^th Anniversary Pacific Contact April 5-7, 2013 -  Registration Now Online – Current rates are in effect until February 28, 2013. http://bctouring.org/forms/PC2013/register/

Congratulations to the Revelstoke Arts Council  winners of the 3 nights at the conference hotel Early Bird draw!

The Succession Plan – TSP- BCTC is pleased to partner with CAPACOA to launch The Succession Plan (TSP) at Pacific Contact 2013 – Through CAPACOA’s  mentorship and peer network development program, The Succession Plan (TSP) reaches out to emerging and mid-career presenters, arts administrators, managers, agents and other industry professionals, seeking to strengthen core competencies, provide leadership development and equip them with the tools and resources necessary to be active participants in the development of arts and culture in their community. Applications will be available online in early February.  For more information about the program go to http://www.capacoa.ca/en/services/networking/succession-plan  and contact either  Joanna Maratta at BCTC or Erin Barnhardt at CAPACOA.

Pre–Conference Professional Development Day – Thursday, April 4^th, 2013.  Mark you calendar now and Kick start Pacific Contact and join your colleagues for an amazing day of practical learning and networking.  Information coming soon.

 In-Conference Workshops, Meetings & Networking and Real –Time Conversations and more! Whether it’s meeting with others from your region, sharing your success stories over lunch, gathering information and knowledge in Real Time Conversations or staying up way too late having fun in the hospitality suite, there’s hardly a dull moment at Pacific Contact. Check out the schedule  http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/pacific-contact-2013-schedule

Hilton Vancouver (Metrotown) Conference Hotel – The Vancouver (Metrotown) Hilton is the location for all conference activities except showcases. If you plan to stay at the conference hotel you need to call and book your reservation as soon as possible. A block of rooms have been reserved for April 3- 9^th, 2013. The special room rate will be available until March 15th or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first. Guests wishing to arrive early and/or leave late and take advantage of our good hotel rates for an extra stay may do so.  By Telephone: Each individual guest must make his or her own reservations by calling the hotel directly at (604) 438-1200. Please identify yourself with the conference as: BC TOURING COUNCIL – PACIFIC CONTACT. For full details including online booking go to http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/hotel-information

Advertising and Sponsorship opportunities are a great way to increase exposure for you or your organization. It also shows your strong support for the BC Touring Council, our programs and services and helps offset the cost of many aspects of Pacific Contact. Please support BCTC and register now.
http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/sponsorship   –  http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/advertising

2013 ArtsOnTour DIRECTORY – will launch January 15^th.
New features added to the 2013 AOT Directory listings include:

•  Live Performance Links: (YouTube, Vimeo etc)
• A dedicated page listing (alphabetical) links to artist’s touring schedules
• Listing links to artists genre pages on the Agency page

See the amazing variety of Artists and Agents from across North America who are interested in touring in B.C., Alberta and the Pacific North West.  www.artsontour.com

BCTC MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL for 2013 – For those who have renewed membership or if you are a new member, welcome! If you are planning on registering for Pacific Contact or ArtsOnTour you may also renew your membership at that time. For those of you who have allowed your membership to lapse, please consider the benefits and support the BC Touring Council. For full information please visit
http://bctouring.org/about/membership

JOB POSTINGS – As a service to BCTC members you can list your job postings on our site. Check out new listings at http://bctouring.org/resources/job-opportunities

INDUSTRY NEWS

The Ontario Council of Folk Festivals is seeking an Executive Director. For complete information, please visit www.ocff.ca. Send application with covering letter, résumé and three references to hiringcommittee@ocff.ca by January 18, 2013. 

After celebrating its 10th anniversary in Calgary 2012, the Magnetic North Theatre Festival has embarked on a plan to renew the role the festival plays on the national stage for the next decade.  We want to hear your views and invite you to take part in a conversation about its future. We are working with facilitators and theatres in the following cities this January and invite you to please sign up now to attend and have your say. renewal@magneticnorthfestival.ca

Arts Northwest Showcase Applications are now available for juried Showcases October 17-20 in Tacoma, Wa. www.artsnw.org/

BC Government Announces New Arts and Cultural Funding Programs: Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development have announced a $1.5 million investment in two new arts programs. Funding for the BC Creative Spaces and BC Creative Communities programs comes from the 2010 Sport and Arts Legacy Fund. Application deadline is February 15, 2013. For more information go to http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/arts_culture/index.htm

The Department of Canadian Heritage commissioned Phoenix Strategic Perspectives Inc. to conduct research with an objective of gathering information on Canadians’ attitudes towards an array of issues relating to behaviors and values associated with arts and heritage.  According to results of a poll on access and availability of arts and heritage, the majority Canadians support government involvement in arts and culture.

From June 8 to July 3, 2012, Phoenix Strategies Perspectives Inc. conducted a random digit dialing telephone survey of 1,001 Canadian residents aged 18 years or older. 27% of those surveyed were in the age range 18-34, 36% were 35-54, and 34% were age 55+.

More information and the full survey results are available in the final report, Arts and Heritage in Canada: Access and Availability Survey 2012 (download PDF format).

Research results are intended to be used by Canadian Heritage to assist in evaluating programs and in developing policy with respect to the arts and heritage.

BCTC Holiday Office Hours
Pacific Contact (Early Bird) – Register by December 21^st and You Could WIN!
Conference Hotel Information
Advertising & Sponsorship Opportunities
2013 ArtsOnTour Directory
Membership Renewal
Job Postings
Member/Industry News
Year-end Thanks

Seasons Greetings! On behalf of the BCTC Board and staff we wish everyone a peaceful and joyful time during the holiday season. Congratulations on your accomplishments in 2012. Cheers for all good things to come in 2013!

BCTC Office Holiday Hours
The BC Touring Council office will be closed for the holidays beginning Friday, December 21^st and reopening on Wednesday, January 2^nd, 2013.

Pacific Contact 2013 – Register online before December 21^st and be entered to win 3 nights’ accommodation at the conference hotel! http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact

Hilton Vancouver Metrotown – Conference Hotel – The Vancouver (Metrotown) Hilton is the location for all conference activities except showcases. If you plan to stay at the conference hotel you need to call and book your reservation as soon as possible. A block of rooms have been reserved for delegates. The special room rate will be available until March 13th or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first. Guests wishing to arrive early and/or leave late and take advantage of our good hotel rates for an extra stay may do so. 
By Telephone: Each individual guest must make his or her own reservations by calling the hotel directly at (604) 438-1200. Please identify yourself with the conference as: BC TOURING COUNCIL – PACIFIC CONTACT. For full details including online booking go to http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/hotel-information

Advertising and Sponsorship opportunities are a great way to increase exposure for you or your organization. It also shows your strong support for the BC Touring Council, our programs and services and helps offset the cost of many aspects of Pacific Contact. Information for both can be found online at:
Sponsorship – http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/sponsorships
Advertising – http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/advertising

2013 ArtsOnTour Directory – is currently under review.  All artist/agent members will be notified as soon as registration is available.  Launch is in January, 2013. http://www.artsontour.com/

BCTC Membership Renewal – Thanks to everyone who has renewed their membership with BCTC.   And if you are a new member, welcome!  For those of you who have allowed your membership to lapse, please consider the benefits and support the BC Touring Council. For full information please visit http://bctouring.org/about/membership

Jobs – Check the BCTC website for new job postings http://bctouring.org/resources/job-opportunities. If you have a job to post contact BCTC at fyi@bctouring.org

Member/Industry News

The Manitoba Arts Network announces the appointment of Rose-Anne Harder as the Network’s new Director. A graduate of the University of Winnipeg’s Manitoba Arts and Cultural Management Certificate Program, Rose-Anne also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the University of Manitoba, and is a certified Event Coordinator.  Congratulations to Rose-Anne on her appointment. We here at BCTC look forward to working with her!  http://www.manitobaartsnetwork.ca/

The Ontario Council of Folk Festivals Executive Director, Peter MacDonald is stepping down.  MacDonald who has held the position since 2008, is leaving the OCFF to take a position with an Ottawa based arts organization starting in the new year. A search is being conducted for his successor. We will miss you Peter. http://www.ocff.ca/

Thanks to our volunteers, donors, sponsors and funding partners in 2012.

2012-13 BCTC Membership Now Due – Renew now and Win!
2013 Pacific Contact Registration Online November 19 – Register and Win!
Job Postings
Tales from the Trenches
Member News
Industry News

BCTC 2013 Membership is Now Due – Thanks to all who have renewed their BCTC membership. Not renewed yet? Register and pay before November 9^th and be entered to win a free registration to Pacific Contact.
Member benefits include directory listings, discounts on program registration and professional development, block booking, advocacy and more.  Please support performing arts touring in British Columbia. Renew your membership with BCTC and ensure that your voice is heard. To check membership status or register and pay online go to http://bctouring.org/about/membership

Pacific Contact 2013, April 5-7 – Online registration begins November 19^th .  Register by December 21, 2012 and enter draw to win 3 nights accommodation at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown.

Pacific Contact 2013 Showcase Line-Up and Preliminary Schedule – Check It Out! http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact

Job Postings – See the latest jobs posted to the BCTC website at http://bctouring.org/resources/job-opportunities. To submit a posting please send to fyi@bctouring.org

Tales From The Trenches – Canada’s favourite cross-town bus is back on the road. Vancouver’s Axis Theatre Company is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of its wildly popular play, The Number 14, with a cross-Canada tour.  Read on at http://bctouring.org/the-number-14.html

Member News

Congratulations to our Alberta colleague and BCTC member, Lawrie Seligman of Horizon Stage recipient of the 2012 Rhoda Taylor Award. Rhoda Taylor was a font of knowledge that both artists and presenters called upon for guidance and inspiration. Each year ATAA presents an award in her name to a person who has contributed to the artist touring industry in Alberta. http://www.horizonstage.com/

Playwrights Guild of Canada just announced that Lorne Elliott’s play “Jamie Rowsell lives” won the New Musical Award for 2012. http://playwrightsguild.ca/news/winners-inaugural-2012-tom-hendry-awards-announced   Lorne Elliott best known as a humorist, storyteller, musician, playwright and writer is pleased that his musical play won this award and the timing could not be better as a workshop of it was already planned to be happening in St John’s (NL) in November 2012. Congrats Lorne! http://www.lorne-elliott.com/

Conference News

Congrats to Everyone during Conference Season! The fall line-up Canadian Contact Events are all but wrapped up.  Wishing everyone the very best in booking artists on tours for communities coast to coast to coast.

The 25^th annual CAPACOA conference will be held in Toronto from January 23 to 26, 2013. In celebration of this anniversary, one-year “$25 in 25!” membership is being offered at the incredible rate of $25!  Read more about the conference at http://www.capacoa.ca

The Value of Presenting study organized by CAPACOA is about to conclude after 2 successful years of consultation, survey work and meetings coast to coast to coast.  BC presenters in Vancouver got the opportunity to attend a presentation on October 24^th with lead consultant of the Values project, Inga Petri of Strategic Moves.  Thanks to Inga and CAPACOA for this very informative session.  A summary of the session can be found at http://www.diffusionartspresenting.ca/2012/11/01/bc-touring-council-workshop-summary/

On November 26, 2012  CAPACOA is offering a webinar from the Values study that will focus on demographic changes taking place across Canada and share new, and perhaps surprising, information from the Value of Presenting study’s survey of 1,031 Canadians.  This webinar is free, but registration is required. Go to http://www.diffusionartspresenting.ca/events/ to register.

Industry News

Check out all things dance in the Dance Centre News November 2012 http://www.thedancecentre.ca/

Canada Council for the Arts News – 2013 John Hobday Awards in Arts Management.  New deadline for 2012: December 1, 2012.  Two $10,000 John Hobday Awards in Arts Management are given annually to established and mid-career arts managers for professional development or mentorship http://canadacouncil.ca/prizes/john_hobday. In addition to allocating $157 million in financial support to professional artists and arts organizations, the Canada Council for the Arts spent last year laying the groundwork for organizational and program change.  Details on these activities are outlined in its 2011-12 Annual Report Information about Funding to artists and arts organizations is also available.

The Canadian Conference of the Arts to Close Doors after 67 Years – It is with great sadness that BCTC learns through an announcement from Alain Pineau, National Director of the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA), that the CCA has decided to shut down its operations immediately.The CCA will be leaving behind a legacy of research, archives and projects. A message on the closure, from both Alain Pineau and Kathleen Sharpe, is available on the CCA’s web­site at www.ccarts.ca.

Looking for other great news about arts in BC?  BCTC is a proud member of Arts Coalition of BC (ACBC). Please visit BCTC’s colleagues at:
http://www.allianceforarts.com/
http://www.artsbc.org/
http://www.musicbc.org/
http://www.gvpta.ca/

Cast of The Number 14
(presented at the Arts Club Theatre, 2004)
photos by David Cooper

Canada’s favourite cross-town bus is back on the road.

Vancouver’s Axis Theatre Company is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of its wildly popular play, The Number 14, with a cross-Canada tour.
Created as a co-production between Axis and Touchstone Theatre in 1992, the original plan was to take it on a short tour through BC finishing with a two and a half week run at the 125 seat Firehall Arts Centre in Vancouver.
The collaboration between Wayne Specht, Artistic Director of Axis Theatre, and Touchstone’s then Artistic Director, Roy Surette, came out of their desire to create an original physical theatre play in the style they called “contemporary Commedia Dell Arte”.
The two brought together some of the best physical theatre artists in the city with the goal to capture the absurdity, diversity and chaos of living in the city.
The group spent weeks creating the characters who would embody these concepts then came up with the inspired idea of putting them all on the #14 bus that, at the time, covered the whole city.
“It went from the poorest to the wealthiest part of town,” says performer Sarah Rodgers. “I think that’s what gives this show so much heart. It embraces all walks of life.”
Rodgers first joined the cast 1998. Since then, the show has taken her across the country and around the world.
“It’s a great privilege to be part of this,” she says. “People all over the world love this show. The houses are packed wherever we go.”
Rodgers attributes the success of The Number 14 to the fact that it is unique and familiar at the same time.
“Most people have never seen anything like this,” she says, “but there is instant recognition of these characters all across the world.”
Not only does it not seem to matter what culture you come from or what language you speak, the show also appeals to a very wide age range.
They noticed early in the original run of the show that their target audience of 20 to 40 year olds expanded to include many seniors. They were also surprised to find that people where seeing the show more than once, and bringing their children along.
Since part of Axis Theatre’s mandate is to create theatre for young audiences, they seized the opportunity to create versions that were aimed specifically at youth and family audiences, thus expanding their touring opportunities.

The set during load-in at
the Capitol Theatre, Nelson, BC
photo Stephen D Fowler

Props table backstage at the Capitol
photo Stephen D Fowler