By signing up for an account, you can manage all of the applications you create and maintain Profiles for your performers. All it takes is an email address and a password on the Sign Up page to start applying immediately!

First thing: check your spam/junk folders. If the email can’t be found, attempt another Password Reset but double check your email address is typed correctly. If that still doesn’t do the trick, emails from us may be blocked by your mail server. The easiest thing is to then contact us and we’ll be happy to help!

Password reset links will expire or can become invalid. Any older than 30 minutes have expired so simply request a new one. Make sure you follow the most recently emailed link, though, since new requests invalidate any earlier ones.

Still having trouble? Contact us and we’ll get you sorted out.

The Partner Conferences section has the full list of conferences and links to their profiles for further information. Those whose submissions are open to the public will be indicated with a big green ‘Apply Now’ button. Others may be by invitation and display ‘Invite-Only’ instead. Those not yet accepting applications will be shown as ‘Opening Soon’. Each conference has a deadline for submissions and some have an Early Bird Discount deadline.

The Applicant is the person submitting the application and the main point of contact for conference organizers. This could be the performer or it could be a representative applying on behalf of the performer. The details saved in your account will pre-populate the Contacts area of each application.

Keep in mind that changes made to your Applicant Details in the Account Settings section won’t alter the those details in any applications you’ve created. If you need to change the info in an active application, go to its Contacts Task to make the same edits.

Performer Profiles are real time-savers. In your account, you’ll need to create a Performer Profile for each performer wishing to apply. This can be an individual artist or a group as a whole (band, troupe, company, etc.). The basic details for one performer or a roster of performers can be saved to help speed up the application process, especially for those who create multiple applications.

If you’re applying for more than one conference, a portion of the application form will be pre-populated with your saved profile info. The info copied into the application is editable so you can make on-the-fly changes. This is useful if need to tailor the info to a particular conference, yet edits in an application won’t affect your account’s saved profiles.

After signing up for an account, you’ll need to create a Performer Profile and add your Applicant Details. Once that’s done, you can click ‘Create Application’ on your performer’s profile card or in the top menu. Alternatively, you can start the process by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button for a listing in the Partner Conferences section or a partner conference’s profile page.

In Create Application with a performer and a conference selected, you’ll be prompted to review the conference’s criteria and agree to the terms. Applicants who already have an application will be prompted to choose between making a new application or use a previously completed application as a template. Choosing the template option will recall data and files from the application of your choice.

From there you’ll be taken to Your Tasks page where you get things rolling by working on the application’s six main tasks. Within each task, you can save a draft of your progress or mark the task as ‘Done’. These tasks ask you to provide information, one of which gives you payment options for your application fees, while a couple of tasks will require some file uploads. The site is mobile-friendly but we recommend uploading files from a desktop or laptop computer since most types of files won’t be available on your mobile device.

Before organizers close submissions, you’ll always be able to return and make further edits to your tasks. Your application will be considered finished once all of your Tasks are marked ‘Done’ and payment has been received.

The Manage Applications section gives a complete overview of your applications in progress and those you’ve finished. Use the sorting tools to find particular types of apps or to fine-tune your results.

The ‘Tasks’ button for each In Progress or Finished applications will jump to the Your Tasks page or you can click a specific task after toggling the ‘More Info’ area. It will also reveal additional details about your application such as its ID and relevant dates, plus the Cancel Application option.

Once an organizer closes its submissions, any Finished applications you have will move into the Received Applications list where you can view the text data associated with that application.

Any applications that weren’t finished before the close of submissions will be moved to your Expired Applications list.

Once you’ve created an application, you do all the heavy-lifting from the Your Tasks page where 6 separate tasks need to be completed. You access this page by clicking the Tasks button next to your application or jump to a specific task by clicking ‘More Info’ to reveal the list of tasks.

Each task will indicate its status plus your progress is tracked by the bar at top of the Your Tasks page and Manage Applications section. You can edit these tasks up until organizers close submissions. At that point, your application will appear on your Manage Applications page under Received Applications.

You can apply for any conference available to you by following the same process you used for your first application. However, as you complete applications you can use those as templates when creating new ones. This saves a lot of time since the data and files associated with the previous application are recalled. You’d simply need to review all of the info, provide any additional criteria the new conference requires of you, submit payment for your fee and you’re done.

So, if the same performer plans on applying to more than one conference we recommend fully completing your first application before you start another. That way you can use it as a template for new applications.

All of this data in your new application remains editable so you can tailor info on the fly if needed. A good example might be for a group that can tour as a quartet on the east coast but only as a trio when touring on the west coast. Their showcase and touring details could then reflect that for a west coast conference.

Yes! As of 2021, all application Tasks other than a submitted payment can be edited right up until organizers close submissions. At that point, though, your application is moved to Received Applications and your application is locked. You’d need to contact the organizer of the conference for any changes to be made on your behalf. You’ll find their profile and contact information in the Partner Conferences section or you can use the contact form to send them a message.

If the organizer hasn’t closed submissions, you’re able to edit information in any of your tasks other than a submitted payment. Once submissions are closed, please contact the specific conference for assistance. You’ll find their profile and contact information in the Partner Conferences section or you can use the contact form to send them a message.

No and no. At any time, you can edit a performer’s details in the Profiles section. That ensures any new applications use the correct info but it won’t change the details in any existing applications. Fear not, though! If you have an application on the go with a typo or incorrect name for the performer, simply go to its Contacts Task to make necessary edits.

If you started an application you don’t plan to finish, find it in the Manage Applications section and click its ‘More Info’ link to reveal the ‘Cancel’ button. You’ll be prompted to confirm the cancellation.

Keep in mind, even though you may have paid for the application you may not be eligible to receive a refund from the organizer. Be sure to carefully read their conference criteria and terms before applying.

If you cancel an application by mistake or wish to re-open it, conference organizers may restore it for you if you contact them directly. You can find their info in the Partner Conferences section or you can use the contact form to send the request.

If a conference is listed as ‘Invite-Only’, you may be able to receive an invitation by contacting the organizers directly. You can find their info in the Partner Conferences section or you can use the contact form to send the request.

Every conference has a deadline for its application submissions listed in the Partner Conferences section and on its profile page. Take note of the colour-coded deadlines.

A red deadline has passed but if you’re still keen to apply it’s recommended you contact a conference before applying. Even if they haven’t closed submissions, conference organizers may not approve late applications or refund any late application fees.

An orange deadline is nearing its closing date for submissions so get in there and apply before it’s too late! A green deadline still has more than a week left to go before closing.

Your application may not be reviewed if you miss a submission deadline. If you anticipate a problem with your application, it’s wise to contact the organizers to see whether accommodation is possible. You’ll find their profile and contact information in the Partner Conferences section or you can send them a message with our contact form.

Any application that hasn’t been finished prior to the cut-off for submissions will end up in your Expired Applications list in the Manage Applications section. Requests for extensions generally won’t be considered at this point unless the organizers feel the circumstances warrant a post-deadline submission. This is completely at their discretion.

Some conferences offer a discount for Early Bird applications. The discount’s deadline and amount appear below a conference’s regular application fee.

If you started an application prior to an Early Bird deadline but didn’t pay your application fee in time, it’s unlikely conference organizers will grant an extension.

However, mailing a check payment before the Early Bird deadline to a conference offering this option flags your payment as ‘Pending‘ until received. In this case, the Early Bird price will be honoured until your payment arrives. We strongly suggest you send check payments promptly and not keep organizers waiting.

For various reasons, certain conferences offer a reduced fee to applicants with performers whose home province/state matches that of the conference. This is referred to on the site as a Local Act Price and not all conferences offer this incentive. This pricing will be reflected at the payment stage for applicants meeting the criteria in their application form.

Some conferences offer a reduced fee to applicants who are members of their organization and will request identifying membership information on the application form. For applicants who supply valid membership details, the pricing will be reflected at the payment stage.

Please note that membership in a conference’s organization does not grant access to use this site as both are entirely separate services. Applicants must sign up for an account with I Want To Showcase itself.

You can access your payment options from the Payment task on the Your Tasks page or the Payment link available when you click ‘More Info’ below your application listing.

Payment methods differ from conference to conference but come in three flavours. Online payments are handled quickly and securely through PayPal or Authorize.net, allowing applicants to pay using their account or by major credit card. The third option is for check payments which must be received at the conference organizer’s offices by the specified deadline.

The status of your payment will be reflected in the Manage Applications section and on the Your Tasks page.

If your fee is unpaid, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be eligible for review by a conference jury. If you’re paying by check, make sure you’ve allowed enough time for it to be received by the deadline listed in the Partner Conferences section.

A letter of acceptance will be sent to all successful applicants via email. Those not successful will also receive a letter stating such. Should an accepted performer be unable to showcase, their position will be offered to one of the alternates established by a selection committee.

Showcases are generally 15–20 minutes long depending on the conference. Though, there are exceptions made by some conferences for dance, theatre or other specific performances. Some conferences also offer applicants the option to indicate their interest in being considered for shorter, low-tech selections in the form of Spotlights/Speed Pitches. We recommend reading a conference’s details on their profile page.

When reviewing applications for showcasing, the jury carefully considers the type of showcases being offered. It’s often not to a performer’s advantage to change their approach (i.e. a duo performing as a five-piece). It’s essential that these discussions take place with the conference a couple of months prior to the showcase. Please keep in mind that you should showcase what you plan or are able to tour.

The showcasing performer is responsible for all costs related to appearing including travel, accommodation, artist fees, etc. (please carefully read a conference’s profile as their information may vary). The Conferences will cover production costs within reason. If successful, it may also be necessary to pay for a representative to be present to represent you at the conference. Please check directly with the conference to be certain you’re aware of related costs. You’ll find their profile and contact information in the Partner Conferences section or you can use the contact form to send them a message.

The most important content will be outlined for you in advance on the Create Application page. The requirements for applications vary by conference but, in general, you’ll be requested to submit information about you and your production, plus a variety of files in 2 of the 6 six tasks. These are usually promotional files, technical files about your production, and media files for audio and video. Everything is detailed for you in the application in terms of file sizes, formats and any other special considerations. In rare cases, some conferences may also allow/request physical media formats.

Most applications require certain files from you and can’t be finished without them. If you’re missing a particular file, something similar or a dummy file can be submitted in its place as long as it meets the file type and size requirements. That said, while your application will be reviewed, the selection committee will note the missing or insufficient materials and it may impact their scoring of the application and ultimately its success.

If you’re missing a required material or some information, please inform the conference right away so they’re aware of the situation. You’ll find their profile and contact information in the Partner Conferences section or you can use the contact form to send them a message.

Yes, list the repertoire and, if applying to a Canadian conference, indicate anything that’s Canadian. It’s also a good idea to describe yourself as a performer and the reaction of audiences to your work to help both the jury and presenters better understand why they might wish to book you.

Regardless of how simple or elaborate your technical requirements might be, we ask that you submit at least one tech sheet file. For very simple requirements, all you need to do is outline those details in a brief text document or other accepted format and upload it with your application.

Juries understand that your video might not have high production quality. What they’re interested in seeing is how you relate to the audience. This may include how you introduce songs, how the audience responds to a piece, or the audience getting up and dancing! Also, it’s important that you send a video you feel would be most effective for the jury. Either include only the segment you wish the jury to view or indicate on the task form the in-point for watching your video. Otherwise, juries will likely start at the beginning and watch for only a couple of minutes, perhaps missing the best part!

Self-identification information is used by conference organizers to support equity, diversity and inclusion efforts. While every conference has distinct selection processes and criteria, self-identification information is typically disclosed to conference organizers’ staff and to the persons responsible for assessing the showcase applications.

Disclosure of self-identification information is entirely optional.

Self-identification information is not included in the Open Data Policy: it will not be disclosed as open data, even if you consent to the policy.

The Artsdata and Wikidata IDs are unique persistent identifiers assigned to each “entity” (for example, a performer or a presenting organization) described within each knowledge base. Persistent identifiers make it possible to unambiguously distinguish one performer entity from another with a similar name.

Each Artsdata and Wikidata ID has an associated URI (Uniform Resource Identifier), i.e. a permalink that resolves to the corresponding entity’s webpage. Thanks to these URIs, Artsdata and Wikidata IDs can be referenced in any data source and still point to the right performer entry. For example, presenters can incorporate performers’ Artsdata or Wikidata URIs into their own open event data. Then, Google can crawl these URIs and access all your performer profile information from I Want To Showcase (via Artsdata or Wikidata).

We’re here to help and answer your questions as best we can. For conference-related questions, you can send a conference inquiry using our handy contact form or find contacts and info in the Partner Conferences section. You can also get in touch about becoming a partner or other site-related inquiries via the contact form.