MPAC’s 2026 Artist Showcase & Conference will take place October 16–18, 2026, at the Helena Civic Center in Helena, Montana.

Each year, approximately 17–21 presenting organizations from communities across Montana attend the conference. Many presenters rely on the MPAC showcases to book a significant portion—or the entirety—of their upcoming performance seasons. In addition to presenters, the conference is attended by artists, artist representatives, agents, managers, and arts service organizations from across North America.

Juried Showcase Performances

The juried showcases are a primary promotional opportunity for artists seeking bookings with Montana presenters who may not attend large national or regional booking conferences.

• Showcase performances are 12 minutes in length
• Showcases take place on Saturday, October 17, 2026

Resource Room

Each showcase block is followed by a dedicated Resource Room session, providing structured time for presenters, artists, and artist representatives to connect, ask questions, and explore potential booking opportunities.

Turn-the-Tables

MPAC’s signature Turn-the-Tables event is held on Friday, the first day of the conference. Presenters are stationed at tables while artists and agents circulate to learn about venues, programming priorities, seasons, and community contexts.

Five for Five

Five for Five offers artists and agents the opportunity to deliver a five-minute pitch to presenters in a conference-room setting. The pitch may be a brief talk about programming offerings and it may include a short performance as long as the whole presentation does not exceed 5 minutes.

• A vocal microphone and simple PA are provided
• No additional sound or equipment is guaranteed
• All showcase applicants not selected for a juried performance will be considered for this session

Artist Jam Session

Following the showcases on Saturday night, all attendees are invited to MPAC’s informal and highly anticipated Artist Jam Session at a local venue.

• Basic sound and backline are provided
• Participation is strongly encouraged, as the Jam Session often leads to meaningful connections and booking interest

Performing artists of all genres and disciplines are encouraged to apply. Diversity of artistic voices, disciplines, and formats is a key priority for both the jury panel and the presenters who attend the conference.

Selected showcase artists will present a 12-minute performance on stage at the Helena Civic Center. A five-minute transition period will occur between acts for set changes. During this interval, the emcee will conduct a brief, informal onstage interview with the artist who has just performed.

All juried showcase performances will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

MPAC Will Provide the Following to Showcase Artists

Notification

Applicants will be notified of showcase selection results no later than May 29, 2026.

Sound

A full front-of-house and monitor sound system will be provided, including FOH and monitor consoles with operators, monitor wedges, microphones, and cabling.

Lighting

A general static wash will be provided. Lighting is preset and cannot be modified for individual showcases. If you require special lighting (e.g., black lights, blackouts), please indicate this in your application.

Backline

A standard main-stage backline package will be provided, which may include an acoustic drum kit, electric piano, synthesizer, two guitar amplifiers, and a bass amplifier/cabinet. This equipment is provided as a convenience and to help keep showcases running smoothly and on schedule.

Piano

A tuned concert grand piano (6’ or 9’) will be available for use during showcase performances.

Video

Projection equipment for video or slideshow content will be available. Showcasing artists must provide their own media source and playback device with an HDMI output.

Tech Time

Showcasing artists must be available on Friday, October 16, or Saturday, October 17, 2026, for a 30-minute technical rehearsal/sound check. Artists will be notified in advance of their assigned load-in and tech schedule.

Additional Details

The MPAC Stage Manager and Sound Engineer will work closely with showcasing artists to meet production needs; however, adjustments may be required due to time constraints and production flow. Only technical staff provided by MPAC may operate equipment during juried showcases unless otherwise approved in advance.

Other than professional sound, lighting, standard stage equipment, and the concert grand piano, MPAC will not provide or cover costs for specialized equipment or instruments required by the artist.

Showcase applications are open to performers of all genres and disciplines, including but not limited to music (traditional, contemporary, classical, jazz, hip hop, country, etc.), dance, theatre, comedy, magic, and variety acts.

Showcase artists are selected by a jury panel composed of presenters and artists or artist representatives who are not applying to showcase. Applicants submit work samples (audio and/or video) along with promotional materials. The panel selects a diverse slate of approximately 17 artists to showcase based on the following criteria:

• Quality of performance (audio/video work samples)
• Quality and relevance of outreach offerings
• Marketability within Montana communities
• Fee range
• Technical and touring compatibility

Application materials should reflect the specific configuration and program you intend to tour. Showcase performances must accurately represent the performance being offered for booking. Applicants should be comfortable touring Montana during the all seasons.

There are no restrictions on how often artists may apply to showcase; however, performance material should be new. Some artists choose to stagger the years they apply.

Artists and artist representatives are always welcome to register for and attend the conference, regardless of showcase status.

MPAC’s juried showcase is a highly competitive opportunity, and each year there are significantly more qualified applicants than available showcase slots. Artists not selected for a juried showcase may be invited to participate in MPAC’s “Five for Five” session and/or asked to serve as alternates in the event a showcase slot becomes available on short notice.

Showcase applications for MPAC’s October 2026 conference must be submitted by 11:55 PM (MT) on April 24, 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

All applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee of $50 per application, payable by credit card at the time of submission or by the application deadline. An early-bird rate of $40 is available through March 15, 2026. MPAC offers a discounted $30 application fee for Montana-based artists.

If Selected, the Following Is Required

• Be available to perform a 12-minute showcase on Saturday, October 17, 2026, and for a 30-minute tech rehearsal on Friday or Saturday as assigned. Showcase and tech times are determined by conference management; special requests will be considered but are not guaranteed.
• The showcasing artist or the representing agent/manager must hold an active MPAC membership. Click here for information about MPAC membership
• The showcasing artist or representing agent/manager must register for the conference. Artist and agent registration includes a booth with table and electrical power in the Resource Room. Registration will open in early April 2026. Booth registration is typically $170–$200 USD (final pricing will be posted on MPAC’s website).
• Complete and return all required showcase agreements and technical forms by the deadline indicated in the notification materials.

MPAC does not allow independent showcases at the annual conference.

MPAC reserves the right to use submitted images and promotional materials for the promotion of the conference and the Montana Performing Arts Consortium.

Submission of an application does not constitute a commitment by MPAC to offer a showcase.

MPAC assumes no responsibility for costs associated with showcasing, including travel, lodging, or meals.

The showcase application fee is non-refundable.