Manitoba Arts Network is the only organization that organizes performing arts and visual art showcases and coordinates tours in rural Manitoba. An average touring season coordinated by MAN yields 10-15 tours and 50-60 performances in member communities across Manitoba — resulting in up to $190,000 in artist fees throughout the year.

Our members don’t book all their exhibitions or performances through our Booking Programs, so showcasing performing artists can receive future bookings beyond the blocked booking touring season. The rural Manitoba touring market is valued at an estimated $300,000 per year.

Showcase events are an opportunity for artists to offer a 10 - 15 minute sample of their show to a dedicated audience of presenters and buyers. These events also offer a Contact Room (trade show or exhibit hall), where artists set up booths, make new connections and have discussions with the presenters. It is often in the Contact Room where business deals begin.

For theatre and dance groups for whom showcasing is financially prohibitive, digital showcasing will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Besides being an opportunity to showcase, the conference also features seminars, workshops, visual art exhibitions, one on one meetings, and networking events, all focused towards connecting artists, agents, industry professionals, and arts presenters. It's a weekend of entertainment, inspiration and the ultimate place to connect with artists, presenters, industry professionals, colleagues and friends.

The Manitoba Arts Network (MAN) will be responsible for technical production at Showcase and covers the following showcasing expenses: stage facilities, sound system, basic lighting, technician, stage manager and crew.

Performers must accept the technical stage equipment supplied by MAN; if a performer requires anything else it is the financial responsibility of the performer.

There will be a mandatory sound check scheduled for the day of your showcase.

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

The Manitoba Arts Network's Performing Arts Coordinator acts as the direct liaison between artists, representatives and presenters - from Showcase to tour show dates.

Artists/representatives must submit touring fees with application, subject to review and negotiation prior to Showcase. An Artists' Fee Schedule will be distributed to delegates at Manitoba Showcase and available on our online artist directory.

Artists/representatives must agree to work collaboratively with the 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 show bookings in Manitoba for the 2024-2025 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 April 28, 2023. 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. Note that there is a 2 year waiting period for Artists that have previously Showcases with MAN. That means you can apply again the third year after last having Showcased with MAN. We recommend that there is a minimum of four years between showcasing for a performer.

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 reviews all applications, and selects 15 applicants to perform at Manitoba Showcase. The jury’s selection is based upon a rating of each application in four categories:

1. Artistic Merit
2. Marketability and booking potential
3. Engagement with Audience
4. Fee Structure*

*Your single show fee should be your highest price and then lower incrementally as the number of shows you could be booked for increases. Therefore your 8+ show price should be your lowest show price.

When pricing your show: include travel costs to/from Manitoba in your single show fee. Do not include the cost of accommodations in your show fee as Manitoba presenters will provide one night hotel in addition. Budget for meals, rental car and gas/mileage while on the road. Average 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 may be to a performer’s advantage to include options for show types such as solo, duo, band, school shows and workshops. 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 performance 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 will be touring.

Self-Identifying in Support of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (optional): Manitoba Arts Network is committed to ensuring equity, inclusivity, and representation in our sector. We especially encourage applications from artists who identify as Indigenous, Black, or People of Colour, artists with disabilities, Deaf artists, as well as artists from the LGBTQ2S+ community to apply, and will be placing emphasis on representation from these communities in our selection process.

Selected Showcase acts will be required to sign a showcasing agreement with the Manitoba Arts Network, register for Manitoba Showcase 2023 and remit applicable conference fees ($250) which includes one Contact Room table.

All performers will be responsible for their own travel and accommodation to attend Manitoba Showcase.

Artists and/or their representatives must attend a designated exhibit table in the Contact Room three times throughout the weekend following each Showcase. If Artists are attending other Showcase events scheduled on the same weekend special allowances can be granted to excuse them from attending all three contact rooms. However it is in their best interest to attend as much as the conference as possible for opportunities for informally network with the delegates. Although business is often done in the contact rooms, networking throughout the conference can play a large role in turning your tour from 3-4 shows to 7-8 shows. Delegates remember the artists that spend the extra effort attending the workshops and seminars, connect with the delegates and stay for the entire conference.

Performers agree that promotional materials submitted in the Showcase application will be used by the Manitoba Arts Network for promotional purposes which includes but are not limited to Manitoba Showcase and any subsequent performances booked in Manitoba.

Artists/Agents agree to allow photo and video to be taken at Manitoba Showcase and used for promotional purposes including and not limited to our website, social media and print materials.

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. 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 fulfil their Showcase or touring engagements.