Pacific Contact 2012 is a Wrap!

Congratulations and thanks to all delegates for attending and making the 2012 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 who stepped up to help us meet our funding challenges this year. 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 2013 and the 37^th Annual Pacific Contact April 5-7, 2013 with a pre-conference professional development day on Thursday, April 4^th.

Restore Funding To BCTC

As you know we are still hopeful that our Heritage funding will be restored.  If you haven’t signed the petition or if you can send it through your networks please do. Tweet, Facebook and keep the pressure on. We now have over 800 signatures and  hope we can top 1000 signatures soon

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/bctc-open-letter-to-canadian-heritage-minister-moore.html

BCTC Awards

Congratulations to all the 2012 nominees and recipients!

• Touring Artist of the Year – Jill Barber
• Presenter of the Year –  Margo Gram, Centennial Theatre
• Agent/Manager of the Year – Joyce Rosario
• Touring Award of Excellence – Margo Kane
• Raising Curtains Award – Hilton Vancouver, Metrotown

2013 Pacific Contact Showcase Application

2013 Pacific Contact Showcase Application for the 37th Pacific Contact April 5-7 will be available online June 1st. Please check the 2012 Pacific Contact link for reference and general information about showcasing. bctouring.org/pacific-contact

ArtsOnTour

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

See the full list of Board of BCTC.   

Job Postings

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

Member News

Presenter of the Year: Margo Gram, Centennial Theatre, North Vancouver

Touring Artist/Artistic Company of the Year: Jill Barber

Agent/Manager of the Year: Joyce Rosario

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 Margo Kane.

The Raising Curtains Award recognizing those who work behind the scenes was awarded to the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown.

For further information about the awards and to view past award recipients please go here.

Nominees for the 2012 awards are:

Touring Artist/Artistic Company of the Year:

Matt Andersen
Jill Barber
Jamie Adkins – Circus Incognitus
The Human Statues
Laila Biali
Sarah Hagen
Wen Wei Dance
Company Jump
Ivan Coyote
The Abrams Brothers
Dancers of Damelahamid

Presenter of the Year:

Margo Gram, Centennial Theatre
Michael Jeffery, Kitimat Concert Association
Tracie Ward, Rotary Centre for the Arts
Michael Cade, Chilliwack Cultural Centre
Lindy Sisson, ACT Theatre and Arts Centre
Neil Harrower, Capitol Theatre
Erna Gobbert, Boundary District Arts Council

Agent/Manager of the Year:

Debbie Peters, Magnum Opus Management
Kevin Bruce, Kevin Bruce Artist Management
Joyce Rosario, New Works
Cameron Smillie, Live At the Hippo Pool Events
Todd Jordan, Paquin Entertainment

An Award is also presented for distinguished service:

Touring Award of Excellence - The award recipient in this category is chosen by a selection committee with input from the BCTC board of directors and is not automatically awarded each year. This award recognizes an outstanding body of work, long-standing service and contribution and exemplifies excellence in the performing arts touring sector.  The 2012 recepient for this award is Margo Kane

The Raising Curtains Award recognizes those who work behind the scenes. This year the award will be given to the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown.

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

BCTC AGM -  On Sunday, April 1, 2012 the British Columbia Touring Council will hold their Annual General Meeting (AGM) for it’s members. The AGM will be held during Pacific Contact at the Hilton Hotel, Metrotown. Full details are available at the following link: http://bctouring.org/about/annual-general-meeting

Pacific Contact March 30-April 1, 2012 – Register Now! Price increases March 5th – Join artists, presenters and networks in 4 short weeks when we’re back for the 36th annual Pacific Contact. Come for a day or stay for 3! Online registration, showcase line-up, schedules and other conference information is available at http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact

Hilton Vancouver (Metrotown) Conference Hotel – Don’t miss out. Secure your room booking now.  If you plan to stay at the conference hotel you need to call and book your reservation as soon as possible. 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 – Deadline for Program Guide March 5th These 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:
http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/advertising
http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/sponsorships

Pre-Conference Professional Development – Thursday, March 29^th Filling Up Fast!
Limited Seating so register  now!
Is Sustainability Sustainable? A live Teleconference workshop with  Alan Brown of WolfBrown facilitated by Jerry Yoshitomi.

Why are some arts groups able to persevere – and even thrive – when they are chronically “under-capitalized” and perpetually on the brink of extinction? On the other hand, why are well-established, large institutions with sizable endowments filing for bankruptcy? What, besides strong finances, does sustainability require? Is it possible that financial security actually deters sustainability?

In a thought provoking, all-in participatory workshop, you’ll assess current conditions, discuss new methods, and begin drafting your Sustainability Work plan.  To encourage teamwork within an organization, the registration fee provides for two people from an organization to attend for one fee.  Face to face work sessions, inspired by live online presentations. Join colleagues for a full day of professional development and networking. For more details and registration go http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/professional-development-day

Silent Auction Fundraiser at Pacific Contact – A Few Of Your Favorite Things – Baskets and Booze!  So this year we invite you to consider donating a few of your favorite things… maybe a basket of your best homemade jams and jellies alongside one of your favorite bottles of wine. Maybe there’s a fantastic micro-brewery or coffee roaster in your community that you wish to pair with chocolate or crackers, or cheese or dried fruit or soaps and jewelry. Whatever you fancy! If you don’t’ want to mix and match don’t worry because our top-notch auction team is ready to put baskets together from items donated. To make contributing your auction items simple for you, please visit the following live link:
http://bctouring.org/forms/auction-form.html

Showcase Schedules – and fabulous line-up at Pacific Contact can be found at:
http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/showcase-schedules

Real-Time – Conversations Saturday, March 31^st,  9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
No fooling around. Back by popular demand the Real-Time conversations are becoming a mainstay of Pacific Contact. These 15 simultaneous conversations over 1.5 hours repeated in short ½ hour increments are a great way to share expertise on a variety of subjects.

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 At A Glance for regular updates at
http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact/pacific-contact-2012-schedule

2012 Arts On Tour Directory is launched!

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. There’s still time to be included. Go to http://www.artsontour.com/

BCTC Membership Renewal for 2012

For those who have renewed membership or 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 and online registration 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

MEMBER & INDUSTRY NEWS

New Performing Arts Co-ordinator at OSAC – BCTC welcomes Skip Taylor as the new performing arts co-ordinator for The Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC). Skip has been involved in the music industry in Alberta and Saskatchewan for over 20 years including HMV and for many years was the Saskatchewan Sales and Promotion Representative for Universal Music Canada. Skip also has been an long time advocate for Saskatchewan, and Canadian, artists including serving on the volunteer board for SaskMusic and being part of their education and mentorship program. Skip can be reached at (306) 586- 1253 or skip@osac.sk.ca.

Recent Reports from Hills Strategies – Cultural facilities / infrastructure. Canadians’ participation in arts, culture and heritage and Arts Attendance and Participation
http://www.HillStrategies.com
http://www.ArtsResearchMonitor.com

Showcase Applications Available

Apply to Perform at the 2012 Western Arts Alliance Juried Showcase – Western Arts Alliance (WAA) is accepting applications from performing artists, companies, or their agents for its Juried Showcase Program now through April 2, 2012. The Juried Showcase is a core component of the 2012 WAA Annual Conference – the largest booking conference in the West – and will take place on September 6 at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Denver, Colorado. The NCPA houses two beautiful venues perfect for showcasing all genres of performance: proscenium stage Gates Concert Hall will highlight theatre, amplified music and dance; while Hamilton Recital Hall is a chamber musician’s dream – complete with a Steinway concert grand and pipe organ.You do not need to be a member to apply!Download the Application/Learn More: http://bit.ly/12WAAJuriedShowcaseAppFAQ. Application Deadline: April 2, 2012. Application Fee: $65 | Showcase Fee: $635. Contact WAA: www.westarts.org | 503-274-4729

I WANT TO SHOWCASE – Contact East, Ontario Contact, and Alberta Showcase present an easier way for performing artists to apply for showcases. Through this joint showcase application, you now have the opportunity to apply for one or more conferences online. Yes, all in one place and online.  http://iwanttoshowcase.ca/

Arts Northwest – The online Juried Showcase application is now open at www.artsnw.org. Apply today for consideration as a showcase artist or ensemble for the 32nd Annual Northwest Booking Conference in Boise, Idaho, October 15-18, 2012

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Pacific Contact 2012, March 30 – April 1 – Register Now! – Online registration, showcase line-up, schedules and other conference information is now available.  Regular rates apply until February 29^th.  Don’t delay, register today!

Pre-Conference Professional Development Day – Thursday, March 29th

Is Sustainability Sustainable? A live Teleconference workshop with  Alan Brown of WolfBrown facilitated by Jerry Yoshitomi. 

Why are some arts groups able to persevere – and even thrive – when they are chronically “under-capitalized” and perpetually on the brink of extinction? On the other hand, why are well-established, large institutions with sizable endowments filing for bankruptcy? What, besides strong finances, does sustainability require? Is it possible that financial security actually deters sustainability?

In a thought provoking, all-in participatory workshop, you’ll assess current conditions, discuss new methods, and begin drafting your Sustainability Work plan.  To encourage teamwork within an organization, the registration fee provides for two people from an organization to attend for one fee.  Face to face work sessions, inspired by live online presentations.

Join colleagues for a full day of professional development and networking. Details and registration.

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 At A Glance for regular updates.

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 9th 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. Full details and online booking.

Advertising and Sponsorship
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 Advertising and Sponsorship.

2012 Arts On Tour Directory is launched!

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.  There’s still time to be included.  Go to 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 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 our membership page.

Job Postings

As a service to BCTC members you can list your job postings on our site. Check out new listings at Job Opportunities.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Showcase Applications Available

 Contact East, Ontario Contact, and Alberta Showcase present an easier way for performing artists to apply for showcases. Through this joint showcase application, you now have the opportunity to apply for one or more conferences online. Yes, all in one place and online.  iwanttoshowcase.ca 

Arts Northwest – The online Juried Showcase application is now open at www.artsnw.org. Apply today for consideration as a showcase artist or ensemble for the 32nd Annual Northwest Booking Conference in Boise, Idaho, October 15-18, 2012.

Seasons Greetings!

On behalf of BCTC Board and staff  we wish you all a peaceful and joyful time during the holiday season. Congratulations on your accomplishments in 2011. We wish you all the best for 2012.

BCTC Office Holiday Hours

The BC Touring Council office will be closed from Thursday, December 22nd reopening on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012.

Pacific Contact 2012

Registration Before December 16^th and enter to win 3 nights at the conference hotel!
Early Bird registration is available online. Register now and  you will also be entered in a draw for 3 free nights at the conference hotel the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown. Registration Info.

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 5th 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 visit online booking.

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 Advertising and Sponsorships can be found online.

Showcase Schedules
Congratulations and thanks to all those who applied to showcase. Line up and schedules  for  2012 showcases at Pacific Contact is now complete and can be found on the BCTC website. Check out the great line-up of music, dance, theatre, variety and family showcases scheduled for Pacific Contact.

2011 ArtsOnTour Directory

Don’t be left out. Register online now for 2012

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 the membership page.

Jobs

Check the BCTC website for new job postings.

Thanks To Our Donors,Sponsors and Funding Partners

• The ACT Maple Ridge Arts Centre & Theatre
• ArtSpring
• Ballet Jörgen Canada
• Bulkley Valley Concert Association
• Caline Artists International
• Capilano Performing Arts Theatre
• Centennial Theatre
• Chan Centre For The Performing Arts
• CITT/ICTS
• Cowichan Theatre
• Darren Bond – Outburst Performance
• Evergreen Cultural Centre
• Harrison Festival
• John McLachlan – Full Bleed Arts Marketing
• Kay Meek Centre
• Lakes District Arts Council
• Made In BC–Dance on Tour
• Max Cameron Theatre
• North Peace Cultural Centre
• The Port Theatre
• The Royal and MacPherson Theatres Society,
• Shadbolt Centre For The Arts
• Shadbolt Centre for the Arts
• Surrey Arts Centre
• Telus Employee Community Fund & Darren Bond
• Ticketpro
• Vancouver Civic Theatres
• Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre

2012 Pacific Contact Registration Online – Apply Now and WIN!
BCTC Membership Now Due
Donate Now Campaign
Arts On Tour Directory Registration Begins
BCTC Fall Updates
Job Postings
Members News
Industry News 

Pacific Contact 2012, March 30-April 1

Register Online before December 16^th and Win 3 Nights Accommodation at the Conference Hotel- Hilton Vancouver Metrotown (More info)

Showcase Line-Up
Check out the great line-up of artists showcasing at PC 2012

Advertising & Sponsorships
Get a head start and reserve your spots in the official guide

Support BCTC and help us make 2012 Pacific Contact a great event by taking advantage of a sponsorship opportunity

BCTC 2012 Membership Now Due

Thanks to all who have renewed their BCTC membership. Member benefits include directory listings, discounts on programs 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 visit our Membership page.

Donate Now
There are a number of ways that you can help us. Membership is of course most important and we hope you will renew your membership for 2012-13. There is also Early Bird registration to Pacific Contact and with that, sponsorship and advertising opportunities (see above). We ask that you and/or your organization consider bringing an additional delegate to Pacific Contact and/or take out a sponsorship or advertisement for the conference.

There is one final way that you can contribute and that is by making a personal donation to BCTC. Consider making a special donation ($50, $100 or more) to help offset some year-end costs that were incurred due to funding cuts and what are rising costs in a difficult economy. Through Pacific Contact and our other networking services, BCTC ensures that you can continue to connect easily and effectively. Your support not only helps BCTC but it helps you do your work better. Personal donations are tax deductable and BCTC will issue official tax receipts for any donations at $50 or more.

2012 Arts On Tour Directory – Check out 2012 Showcase Applicants added to Arts On Tour. Arts On Tour is a member service for agents/managers, artistic companies and artist members. This web directory is a resource for presenters looking to book artists for their seasons, series and festivals. Register for the 2012 directory online at www.artsontour.com.

BCTC Fall Updates

BCTC Board, Members and Community Meeting, Sept 16-18, Nanaimo BC.
Thanks to Bruce Halliday and staff at the Port Theatre for hosting the BCTC fall meeting on their beautiful main stage and for making BCTC board and staff feel so welcomed in Nanaimo.  A lively Open Space session led by Sandra Thomson was attended by over 50 presenters, artists, agents, government funders, venue managers, support staff and BCTC board members who gathered to share their experiences.

Thanks to our special luncheon guests Stanley Hamilton, Chair of the BC Arts Council who along with BC Arts Council Vancouver Island members Ron Smith, Marilyn Timms and BC Arts Council staff Ingmarie Thunander brought greetings and shared in discussion and answered questions about the BC Arts Council to a very appreciative arts and community audience. Also a special thanks to Monica Christ, Senior Cultural Analyst, Department of CanadianOfficer for attending on this day and to Bob Kuhn, Manager of Recreation & Culture, City of Nanaimo for his presentation. To read more about the discussions you can download the notes.

Fall Conference Events & State of Touring Discussions
This fall BCTC Executive Director, Joanna Maratta travelled from Vancouver Island to Prince Edward Island to attend Contact East, Atlantic Canada’s showcase and booking conference and then on to the Ontario Council of Folk Festival Conference in Niagra Falls and then to Parry Sound for Ontario Contact. Highlights included great showcases, hospitality and networking opportunities. Thanks to Sue Urquart, Peter McDonald and Cheryl Ewing for allowing Joanna to participate. Look for Joanna’s musings about her travels and notes on the State of Touring discussions on the BCTC website in December.

Coordinated Online Block Booking (COBB) is alive and well.
COBB block booking tours out this fall include Matt Anderson, Jill Barber, Company Jump, Pavlo and more.  Block booking for 2012-13 are under way with a tour booked for David Myles and many more in the works. BCTC Artists and agent members who are looking to tour in BC in 2012-13 can contact BCTC with updates. Also, BC Presenters who are currently not on the system and who need training can contact Shannon Lythgoe, block-booking coordinator at bbook@bctouring.org

Job Postings – See the latest jobs posted to the BCTC website. To submit a posting please send to fyi@bctouring.org

Member News

After 18 years, Karen Birkedal, president of the Terrace, BC’s Concert Society is stepping down. “It’s been a wild ride but I need to move on,” she said, adding she’s likely the longest running president in the society’s 45 years. “18 years is a long time and I found someone willing to take it on.”  She knows she’s leaving the Concert Society in good hands with Lisa McLeod taking over. Lisa has been with the society for about two years. With this season underway, Karen is working with McLeod to plan next season. On behalf of the board, staff and members of BCTC we thank Karen for her years of service presenting in the North.

Congrats!

Ontario Contact 2011Awards
Presenter of the Year: Deb Slade
Emerging Agent of the Year: Erin Sparks, Andrew Kwan Artists Management
Artist of the Year: Chris McKhool & Sultans of String
Award of Excellence: Ted & Marion Outerbridge
www.ontariocontact.ca

CAPACOA Awards
Presenter of the Year: Phyllis Stenson, Harrison Festival of the Arts
Artist Manager/Agent of the year: Julien Paquin, Paquin Entertainment Group
Touring Artist of the Year: Julia Mackey, Jake’s Gift
2011 National Arts Centre Award for distinguished contribution to touring in the performing arts:  Ballet Jörgen Canada
www.capacoa.ca/en/conference/awards

Industry News

The Board of Directors of ArtsBC/Assembly of BC Arts Councils is very pleased to announce that Sheryl McGraw has been named as Executive Director.  Sheryl is well-known in the arts community in BC having worked as the manager for the Arts Sector Engagement for 2010 Legacies Now, as the Interim General Manager for the Creative City Network of Canada, as the Conference and Special Projects Coordinator for the BC Touring Council and as the Campaign Manager for the Vancouver East Culture Centre capital campaign. She has strong ties to arts service organizations in BC and has worked closely with the municipal, provincial and federal funders. She is well respected among her peers and brings a commitment to and strong belief in the goals of ArtsBC.  Congrats Sheryl!

FACTOR Grants 101 – Tuesday, November 22nd 3:00-5:00pm – Music BC is continuing their series of 2011 in-house seminars hosted by Executive Director Bob D’Eith and FACTOR Regional Evaluation Coordinator Savannah Wellman, covering the fundamentals of applying for FACTOR grants (specifically the Juried Sound Recording and Demo Applications). They will be covering all the basic steps and necessities in order to hand in a well-crafted application, which can help improve your chances of receiving a grant from FACTOR. The seminar is free for Current Paid Music BC members, $25 for non-members who can get on the standby list and can attend if the seats are not all filled by members. Due to limited seating, priority will be given to those who are currently working on applications for the November 30th deadlines.  Those who are accepted will receive a confirmation email, RSVP’ing does not guarantee attendance. Attendees can feel free to bring any materials, such as Marketing Plans, that they are currently working on for feedback.

Date: Tuesday, November 22nd 3:00-5:00pm
Location: #530-23 West Pender St (Music BC office)
Free for Music BC Members, $25 for non-members
RSVP to: RSVP@MusicBC.org with “FACTOR Seminar” in the title

Board Changes at BC Arts Council
Barbara Adams, a Victoria arts advocate and retired school teacher for 33 years in Victoria, has been appointed to the BC Arts Council board. The provincial government also confirmed the re-appointment of four current members Jackson Davies (Vice-Chair), Merla Beckerman, Gordon Harris, and Lori Marchand.

The recent announcement of changes to the BC Arts Council board unfortunately results in the loss of a unique rural perspective from the BC Interior as Bill Usher, director of Kicking Horse Culture’s term was not renewed. BCTC would like to thank Bill for his time served on the BC Arts Council Board and for his commitment to rural arts programs in British Columbia. www.bcartscouncil.ca/about/councilmembers.htm

BCTC Membership Renewal, November 1

Current BCTC membership expires October 31st and we’re looking forward to a strong renewal of memberships for the new fiscal year beginning November 1^st. This year, in addition to your membership renewal, BCTC is asking for your additional support.  There are a number of ways you can help us. For more information about the donations campaign, please go to our Donation Page.

Your membership with BCTC has many benefits including discounts to Pacific Contact Professional Development, member communications, venue and presenter listings on the website, job postings, networking with your peers for advice and support and continued participation in the Coordinated Online Block Booking (COBB) program. We want to thank you for your ongoing support of the BC Touring Council. By supporting the BC Touring Council through membership you ensure a strong voice for professional performing arts touring in British Columbia. Now go ahead - take a few minutes to renew and donate.

Showcases Selected for 2012 Pacific Contact

Congratulations and thanks to all those who applied to showcase. Selection for 2012 showcases at Pacific Contact is now complete and the showcase list can be found here. Check out the great line-up of music, dance, theatre, variety and family showcases scheduled for Pacific Contact 2012, March 30 – April 1

Registration for Pacific Contact Online – Begins November 15

Preliminary Schedule and General conference information can be found on our Pacific Contact page.

Job Postings

To submit a posting please send to fyi@bctouring.org

Member News

Congratulations to Annick-Patricia and Elisabeth from Agence Station bleue, recipients of Contact East Award of Excellence for Artist Manager/Agent of the Year. Well done!

Industry News

On September 15, British Columbia lost a great impresario and arts advocate, David Y.H. Lui. David was a founding director of the BC Touring Council and well known as a producer responsible for bringing some of the world’s greatest productions and performers to the stages of Vancouver. To commemorate his life and work, local and national Canadian artists, performers and friends will gather at David Y.H. Lui – A Celebration, 2 pm Sunday, October 23 at the Vancouver Playhouse, to perform, to speak and to remember a man who changed the face of the arts in British Columbia.

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BC Touring Council Honoured With CITT Award

BC Touring Council Honoured With CITT Honorary Membership Award – Each year the Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology recognizes an individual or organization who, though not actively involved in the technical disciplines, but who by virtue of their position has contributed significantly to the development of technical disciplines within Canada.  This contribution can be seen through the recipient’s decision-making, influence, and philosophy within the community or by showing themselves to be a longstanding friend of the Institute.  Thanks  to CITT board, staff and members for recognizing BCTC. It is a wonderful honour.

BCTC Fall Plans, Dates and Deadlines – Welcome to another year!

For the touring and presenting field September really is the beginning of a new cycle for us all.  At BCTC it means a season full of meetings, travel, membership renewal, announcing showcase artists and preparing for Pacific Contact 2012. So in the spirit of renewal here’s a list of dates and deadlines:

• BCTC Regional Board & Members Meeting – Nanaimo, B.C. September 16
• BCTC Membership/Year-end donation Campaign  – September/October, 2011
• Showcase Selection Notification – By September 30th
• Pacific Contact preliminary schedule – October 15th
• ArtsOnTour – for 2012 Web Directory registration begins November 1
• Facility Managers Fall Meeting – November location TBA
• Pacific Contact 2012 Early Bird Registration – November 15
• 36th Annual Pacific Contact 2012 – March 30-April 1 – Vancouver (Burnaby)

BCTC Regional Board & Members Meeting – Nanaimo, B.C. September 16

BC Touring Council’s  annual regional board, member and community meeting will take place at The Port Theatre in Nanaimo on Friday, September 16^th, 2011. The BC Touring Council board commitment to host an annual face-to-face meeting in a regional community is in an effort to get to know our regional members and communities better and to give them the opportunity to discuss issues and experiences relevant to their region. Those from the Vancouver Island & Gulf Island region wishing to attend should RSVP to BCTC to Joanna Maratta at  fyi@bctouring.org no later than September 12^th.

2012 Membership Begins November 1

Support  BCTC,  your vital regional, national and international voice and network. Whether it’s online block booking for presenters, virtual meetings, webinars and association through the website and E-newsletters, by email, telephone and  in person at Pacific Contact and at regional meetings – BCTC remains strong because of your support.  This year in addition to membership renewal BCTC is reaching out to members, donors and sponsors asking you to add a little extra into our coffers to help continue the work we do. bctouring.org/about/membership

ArtsOnTour

ArtsOnTour is a comprehensive web artist and agency directory and booking tool. It is a member benefit of the BC Touring Council for artist and agents. Registration for the 2011 directory begins November 1st. Full details about ArtsOnTour can be found at www.artsontour.com.

Pacific Contact 2012

BC Touring Council’s annual trade show and booking conference for performing arts touring in British Columbia. Pacific Contact includes showcases, contact room (trade show area), workshops networking opportunities for artists and arts presenters and lots of fun! The preliminary schedule for Pacific Contact 2012 will be posted to the website in October. General information may be found at http://bctouring.org/pacific-contact

Venue & Presenter Website Listings

These are also a benefit of membership with the BC Touring Council. When renewing membership this fall be sure to update your contact and venue description information with us. See listings and descriptions at the following links: Presenters | Venues

Job Postings

Job Postings can be found on the BCTC website. Submit postings to the office by emailing fyi@bctouring.org

Fall Contact Events

See Helpful Links section on the BCTC website

Member & Industry News

Members

Welcome to all our newest artist members who recently applied to showcase. You can find them in our list of members.

Also welcome to Claude  Giroux who joins the Key Meek Centre as it’s new executive director.  Claude  was most recently the Executive Director of Events, Wood Buffalo in Fort McMurray Alberta and Kim Emsley-Leik as the new managing director of the Tidemark Theatre in Campbell River.

Congrats to Paul Gravett, past chair of BCTC who is the new executive director of the Vancouver Recital Society and to Brenda Leadlay, in her new post as Artistic Director of Magnetic North Theatre Festival.

Jamie Grant steps down as General Manager of Centre In The Square – to become the executive director and CEO of the Long Center in Austin, Texas.  As a long-time presenter in Ontario, Jamie is also recognized for his leadership in the national arts community.  Congrats Jamie. You will be missed by your colleagues in the presenting and touring sector.

Industry News

BC Arts Sustainability Semesters

ArtsBC, with support from CanadianHeritage and the BC Arts Council present the BC Arts Sustainability Semesters, a goal-oriented program designed to increase the capacity of BC’s non-profit arts and cultural organizations. The purpose is to help organizations make progress toward increasing their economic sustainability and viability.

The Sustainability Semesters involves six face-to-face regional sessions that will be presented in BC starting in September 2011 to April 2012. Each Semester includes a one and half day face-to-face learning event led by a team of experts with specialized knowledge in the field of non-profit arts and culture.

In addition to being a learning event, participants will establish new goals and begin to develop plans that will contribute to their organization’s overall sustainability. Following the face-to-face sessions, the content team will provide ongoing support through webinars, one-on-one coaching, an on-line forum, resources and follow-up conference calls.

For more information about the project, visit the website. Registration is FREE

Value of Presenting study: Presenters’ Survey to be launched soon

This will be the largest and most exhaustive survey in the history of presenting in Canada! 

This research project conducted by CAPACOA on behalf of all presenting networks has progressed quickly over the summer: a comprehensive literature review, a historical overview of presenting and a summary of interviews with presenters are published on the CAPACOA website The survey will first be sent out by personal email invitation from EKOS Research to 1200 presenters who have already been identified by presenting networks and stakeholders. A generic invitation will then be sent for those who aren’t on the list yet. As needed, additional surveys will also be conducted by phone in order to ensure that our sample is representative of the field as a whole..We ask all presenters to treat this survey as the most important request of the year and to take the time (15-25 minutes) to complete it to best of your knowledge; and to forward the generic survey invitation to any presenter (specialised, occasional, for profit, etc.) in your community who may not be a member of a network.

Together, with everyone’s contribution, we can build the most comprehensive view of the sector ever, for our own benefit, and for the benefit of our funders, who require accurate data to justify funding renewal and increase.

Community Gaming Grant Review

On July 11, Premier Christy Clark  appointed Skip Triplett to lead the Community Gaming Grant Review to create a sustainable funding system for non-profits and charitable organizations. The review will help the province create a granting process that is equitable, sustainable, transparent and helps create financial certainty for community groups. Skip Triplett’s formal report will be submitted to the British Columbia government by Oct. 31, 2011.

BCTC encourages all members and stakeholders to participate.  Written submissions – deadline  Friday, September 16, 2011 www.communitygaminggrantreview.gov.bc.ca/ www.communitygaminggrantreview.gov.bc.ca/blog/

The 8th biennial Dance In Vancouver: November 23-27, 2011

This biennial event has been steadily establishing itself since 1997 as a chance for presenters from across North America and around the world to view the eclectic contemporary dance of Canada’s West Coast, and to sample a distinctive artistic milieu. www.thedancecentre.ca

Making A Scene

12^th Annual Conference for the BC Theatre Community November 4 & 5 www.gvpta.ca/conference

Music BC

Check out their news, deadlines for music industry grants and more www.musicbc.org

Hills Strategies Research – Creative (smaller) cities

A focus on the presence and impacts of culture in cities, especially smaller municipalities, based on a number of discussion papers, presentations and other resources that explore aspects of creative cities. Bigger thinking for smaller cities: How arts and culture can tackle economic, social and democratic engagement challenges in smaller cities www.ArtsResearchMonitor.com/arm_details.php?armUID=1172

Culture Days – September 30 – October 2 – What Are You Doing?

Individual artists, diverse cultural groups, organizations, municipalities, and festivals old and new, small and large are coming together in the pan-Canadian volunteer movement known as Culture Days to catalyze and inspire greater public participation in arts and culture. Culture Days is open to all communities and individuals who believe in the importance of arts and culture in Canadian life.

How the movement works: This is an open call for all individuals, groups and municipalities to join the movement and offer a free interactive arts or cultural activity during Culture Days in your region. Everyone is encouraged to get involved There is no fee to register. If you have a free participatory or interactive arts or cultural activity to offer to the public during the Culture Days weekend (September 30, October 1 & 2, 2011) – be it new or something you already have planned. www.culturedays.ca

Pacific Contact 2012 Showcase Applications – Deadline June 30th
Community Presenters Assistance (CPA) – Deadline June 30th
Member News
Industry/Sector News

Showcase Application for the 36th Pacific Contact March 30 – April 1, 2012 is now online. Get your online application to us by days’ end on June 30^th and send support materials post-marked on that day to apply.

Community Presenters Assistance

Community Presenters Assistance Application forms are ready for download for the 2011-2012 season (for performances happening between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012. CPA is a program of the BC Arts Council and is administered by the BC Touring Council.

Member News

Paquin Entertainment – Support The Sheepdogs in their quest to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone!

Industry/Sector News

Ontario Council of Folk Festival News – showcase, conference news, upcoming grant deadlines and more.

Culture Days – What are you planning?

Fall Contact Events – Check out the many Canadian and US Contact Events in the Helpful Links section on the BCTC website.

Registration to CITT Rendez-vous 2011 Annual Conference and Trade Show– August 9-14, 2011 in Victoria BC is now available. Please see full details.