Manitoba Showcase features 15 artist showcases, visual arts, literary arts, workshops, discussion groups, banquet, keynote speaker, contact room, late night networking and lots of fun! It's a weekend of entertainment, inspiration and the ultimate place to connect with artists, presenters, industry professionals, colleagues and friends.

Artists perform for a live audience of arts presenters seeking to book acts to tour to their communities. They meet and mingle with presenters and distribute promotional material in the Contact Room. Manitoba Arts Network coordinates block booked tours and performances throughout the province based on interest generated at the Showcase event. Additionally, many Showcase artists have found that they receive up to four years of on-going bookings based on a single slot at our Showcase.

Manitoba Arts Network will be responsible for technical production at Showcase. There will be a mandatory sound check scheduled for the day of your showcase.

Artists and/or their representatives will attend to a designated exhibit table in the Contact Room at scheduled times following Showcases.

Manitoba Arts Network engages an established member network and growing number of presenters (buyers) who attend Showcase and participate in subsequent booking meetings with Manitoba Arts Network to confirm artists and form block booked tours that benefit all -artists/audience/and presenters.

Manitoba Arts Network's Performing Arts Coordinator acts as the direct liason between artists, representatives and presenters - from Showcase to tour show dates. Artists/representatives must submit touring fees with application, subject to review prior to Showcase. Artists' Fee Schedule will be distributed to delegates at Manitoba Showcase (and afterwards to members who do not attend the Showcase event). Artists/representatives must agree to work collaboratively with Manitoba Arts Network and are asked not to negotiate bookings and fees directly with buyers at any time before, during or after Showcase.

Artists must be tour ready and open for bookings in Manitoba for the 2016-2017 season . Performing artists of all disciplines and genres are encouraged to apply. (ie. music, dance, theatre, musical theatre, magic, comedy, etc.)

Deadline to apply is May 3, 2015. Incomplete, late, or unpaid submissions will not be considered. No refunds will be issued. Successful applicants will be notified in June and will be given a deadline to respond and confirm their participation.

Supporting materials with links to Audio/video samples must accompany your application. We strongly advise that you provide two samples, representative of the show you wish to tour, one may be produced, and one showing engagement with a live audience. The jury includes Manitoba arts programmers familiar with their audience base, and it is in your very best interest to be selective in what you submit. Please provide start and stop points to indicate your best footage, or create a 5 minute custom video to provide a cross section of your work.

Your showcase application must reflect the performance that you wish to Showcase and tour.

HOW ARE ARTISTS SELECTED TO PERFORM IN SHOWCASE? A jury comprised of community presenters from different regions of Manitoba and industry representatives review all applications, and select 15 applicants to perform at Manitoba Showcase. The jury’s’ selection is based upon audience engagement ability, show suitability and entertainment value, in addition to the following criteria : Artistic Merit Marketability *Fee Structure

*When pricing your show; include travel costs to/from Manitoba in your single show fee; a lower price per show should be entered for multiple bookings. Do not include accommodations in your show fee. Manitoba presenters provide one night hotel. Budget for meals,rental car and gas/mileage. while on the road. Performance fees in Manitoba tend to range from $1,000 to $3,500 per show depending on number performers, profile, experience, etc. (While some shows book for higher fees, there are relatively few communities in rural and northern Manitoba able to afford those bookings on a regular basis). It is understood that your fees per show should be reduced for block-booked tours. It may be to a performer’s advantage to include options for show types (solo, duo, and band). This may allow more flexibility in terms of providing options for presenters to meet their audience needs.

WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP IF I AM SELECTED TO PERFORM IN SHOWCASE? If your application to showcase is successful, you will be required to present a 15 minute show followed by a 5 minute Q & A at one of three performance times at the Showcase event (Friday evening, Saturday afternoon, or Saturday evening). Your application and actual showcase performance must be indicative of the show you are prepared to tour.

All performers will be responsible for their own travel and accommodation for Manitoba Showcase. Selected Showcase acts will be required to register for Manitoba Showcase 2015 and remit applicable conference fees. Artists and/or their representatives must attend to a designated exhibit table in the Contact Room at scheduled times during the Conference. Performers agree that promotional materials submitted in the Showcase Application may be used for promotional purposes. Artists/Agents agree to allow photo and video to be taken at Manitoba Showcase 2015 and used for promotional purposes. Tours and performance engagements in Manitoba resulting from this event will be coordinated and booked by the Performing Arts Program Coordinator of Manitoba Arts Network, in collaboration with artists/agents, for the 2016-2017 touring season. Artists/Agents will be required to honour a contract with Manitoba Arts Network in this regard. Artists agree to inform Manitoba Arts Network of any changes in contact or booking information, representation, or of any situation which renders them unable to fulfull their Showcase or touring engagements.