ArtsMarket 2021 will take place in person in downtown Durham, NC and will feature up to 30 juried showcase performances and a tabletop marketplace, allowing agents and artists to meet one-on-one with presenters throughout the three days. Health and safety are our top priority, and we will strictly adhere to all state and local guidelines that are in place at the time of the conference.

Presenter attendees come from all parts of North Carolina and the southeastern region and represent a wide variety of arts organizations and venues, including small concert associations, colleges and universities, mid- and large-size performing arts centers, and everything in between. Many of them look to ArtsMarket to book a significant part of their future seasons.

Juried showcases take place at the historic Carolina Theatre of Durham and are 15 minutes in length. They are a key feature of ArtsMarket, providing selected artists and ensembles with an excellent opportunity to demonstrate their work in a professional setting to talent buyers. ArtsMarket showcases are scheduled not to overlap with any other conference activities, so all delegates have the opportunity to attend all performances. In addition to the showcase performances, networking opportunities are abundant in the marketplace and at other scheduled conference activities.

Performing artists of ALL disciplines are encouraged to apply for a showcase (music, dance, theatre, children’s/educational, magic, comedy, variety, etc.). We are committed to presenting a wide range of performances, though the final slate of artists depends on the number, type, and quality of applications received.

This year, showcase applicants also have the option to be considered for a virtual Spotlight if they are not selected to showcase. Virtual Spotlights are short, self-produced videos that will be shown at various points during the conference. See more info under Showcase Criteria.

We do not facilitate independent showcases at ArtsMarket.

Showcase artists will be featured in 15-minute showcases on stage in Fletcher Hall at the Carolina Theatre of Durham (www.carolinatheatre.org). To respect the work of all showcase artists, we strictly adhere to time limits. No more than 5 minutes will be allowed for setup and change-over.

ArtsMarket will provide the following to showcase artists:

Sound – A full FOH and monitor sound system will be provided for showcasing artists. This will include FOH and monitor consoles with operators, monitor wedges, microphones, and cabling. This will be set up and operated in a “Festival Style”.

Lighting – A general static wash will be available. This will be preset and cannot be modified for showcases. If you have any special lighting needs such as black lights, blackouts, etc., please indicate these in your application.

Backline – A standard main stage backline package will be provided, including: an acoustic drum kit, electric piano, synthesizer, two guitar amplifiers, and a bass amplifier/cabinet. This equipment is provided as a convenience to the artists and to assist in keeping showcases running smoothly and on time. Use of artist-provided drum kits will not be allowed. Showcases utilizing the drum kit will have a maximum of 15 minutes prior to their showcase to adjust the drums off-stage during other showcases. Specific models of equipment to be offered will be finalized and included in the contract/technical specification sent to presenting performers.

Piano – A tuned 6’ or 7’ grand piano will be available for use during main stage showcases.

Sound Check – Performers must be available three hours prior to the beginning of their showcase to run a brief sound check/stage setup and to review final needs with the technical staff and stage manager. Each sound check will be limited to a maximum of 15 minutes. All showcasing artists will be notified in advance of their load-in/sound check schedule.

Dressing Rooms – Facility dressing rooms will be provided for showcasing artists.

The ArtsMarket Technical Director will work closely with showcase artists to best meet their needs, but certain modifications may be necessary due to time constraints and production flow. Only technical staff provided by ArtsMarket may operate equipment during the juried showcases, unless otherwise agreed upon in advance.

Showcase artists will be selected through a panel process governed by the North Carolina Arts Council. Panels are composed of experienced presenters, artists, and other arts professionals from across the state who represent diverse communities, genres, and expertise. Showcases are highly competitive and sought after.

Artistic quality, professional touring capability, and quality of media and promotional materials are primary factors determining the selection of showcase artists. Beyond these essential ingredients, the selection panel will take into consideration the following criteria to curate the overall showcase program:

• Diversity of art forms

• Racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity

• Range of fees to accommodate presenters of varying budgets and venue sizes

• Mix of North Carolina and out-of-state performers

• Mix of artist representation and management (usually no more than two artists represented by a single agency/manager will be recommended to perform)

Artists should be prepared to showcase the performance that was stated in the application. Any changes to configuration must be proposed for consideration by ArtsMarket staff as early as possible prior to the conference.

NEW THIS YEAR: Should your application not be selected for a full showcase, it can be considered for a shorter, virtual “Spotlight” video to be shown during the conference. Spotlight artists will be chosen based on the selection committee’s review of showcase applications and, if invited, will be asked to submit a self-produced video not exceeding 5 minutes (you do not have to submit that video as part of this application). Spotlight videos should include an introduction or personal message and performance footage that best showcases your work--think of it as a virtual pitch to presenters. There is no additional fee for Spotlight artists, other than the application fee. To be considered for a Spotlight video, check the Yes box under "Alternate Performance" in the Showcase Info Task. If you are unable to attend the conference and wish to ONLY apply for a Spotlight video, please indicate that in the Touring Info Task when asked.

Complete applications must be submitted and the non-refundable application fee paid by 12:00am on Tuesday, June 15th, 2021. All applicants will be notified of their status in late July or August.

Applications to showcase at the ArtsMarket 2021 conference will be accepted until 12:00am on June 15, 2021. Late applications will not be accepted, and incomplete applications will not be considered. All applicants must pay a non-refundable fee of $30 per application, which is required by credit card at time of submission.

If selected, showcase artists must:

• Pay a $100 production fee (in addition to the application fee).

• Be available on Monday, November 8, Tuesday, November 9, and/or Wednesday, November 10 to perform in Durham, NC. Showcase times are assigned by conference management, based on performance technical needs. Special requests will be considered but accommodation is not guaranteed.

• Register for the conference or be represented at the conference by an agent or manager. Registration will open during the summer and full details will be posted at www.ncpresenters.org as well as emailed to artists and their representatives.

• Complete and return the showcase contract and technical production form by the deadline indicated on the notification.

ArtsMarket does not facilitate independent showcases. Independent showcases are prohibited from being arranged or scheduled at any time concurrent with official conference activities, and are not permitted in any space on the Carolina Theatre, Durham Marriott or Durham Convention Center premises at any time during the three days of the conference.

Membership in North Carolina Presenters Consortium is not required to attend, showcase, or otherwise participate in ArtsMarket.

ArtsMarket reserves the right to use showcasing artists’ submitted images and content for the promotion of North Carolina Presenters Consortium and the ArtsMarket conference.

This application does not represent a commitment by ArtsMarket, North Carolina Presenters Consortium, or the North Carolina Arts Council to provide a showcase.

The North Carolina Presenters Consortium assumes no responsibility for costs associated with showcasing, including travel and accommodations.