KCAIC

TOPEKA – To help promote Kansas-based performing artists, The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission (KCAIC) maintains an approved Touring Roster of Kansas-based touring companies and artists. The roster enables those looking to book performers to identify acts available for bookings. The KCAIC is now accepting applications for inclusion on the roster.

“If you are an artist, becoming a Kansas Touring Performer helps you to be found by presenters and allows you to be considered for increased grant amounts in both the KCAIC AIP-Visiting Artist program and the Mid-America Arts Alliance Regional Touring Program,” said Peter Jasso, Director of the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission.

In this program, the artist or artist’s management sets the fee and negotiates the booking. To be eligible for inclusion, applicants:

• Can come from any artistic discipline (including, but not limited to: music, theater, dance, visual arts, literary, comedy, graphic novels, film, podcasting, etc.).
• Should be either a Kansas-based nonprofit, individual artist, university, or unincorporated/for-profit group providing arts performances and experiences.
• Must have a history of touring and maintain a reasonable fee range.
• Are required to perform outside their community regularly.
• Must offer single performances or exhibitions as well as complementary services that may include workshops, master classes, lecture-demonstrations, arts education components, residencies, or short performances.

The fact that an artist is approved to the roster does not imply or guarantee that the artist will receive bookings in the coming year.

The deadline for consideration this round is Sept. 29, 2017. The review panel will convene in early October. There may be an additional opportunity in the Spring based on interest. The current roster can be viewed here: http://www.kansascommerce.gov/705/KS-Roster.

All applications must be submitted via an online form: https://kansascaic.submittable.com. Current Touring Roster artists do not need to reapply each year although they are subject to re-evaluation upon request.
Applicants will provide the following information:

• Biographical information
• Brief description of the artist’s programs
• Contact information including website
• Program fees

Support Materials may include:

• Performances/Programs: Panelists will limit their review to 3-5 minute segments. Video of a staged performance or public program offering is preferred to a video production.
• Marketing: brochure; sample program; sample news release; reviews; artist/presenter contract
• Reviews, previous presenters, audience, and noteworthy individuals (cite source)
• Resume(s) of artists/touring manager (2 pages maximum per person)
• Letters of Recommendation (3 maximum)

Applications will be evaluated on the following:

• Artistic Quality: Artistic merit of the applicant and quality of services. This is the primary consideration for inclusion in the roster.
• Capability and Experience: Evidence of experience and reliability. Ability of applicant for effective implementation, management, and promotion of programs.
• Impact: Ability of applicant to impact teaching and learning in, about and through the arts and/or innovative integration of an arts discipline into non-arts curriculum or content areas. The quality of complementary activities will be considered.

The performance fee indicates the cost of presenting a program an average distance from the artist’s home area and includes transportation and lodging, unless otherwise noted. Factors affecting the performance fee include: number and type of performances at a specific location; size and type of audience expected; actual distance traveled; block booking arrangements; and equipment required. All fees listed are negotiable and subject to change.

KCAIC does not serve as a booking agent for artists listed, nor does a listing guarantee employment. The most successful artists use this as a tool to help promote themselves to potential booking agents. Eligible organizations may request funding from KCAIC through the AIP-Visiting Artists program to present artists on this roster to their community for an increased grant amount. Roster artists are also eligible for an increased grant amount through the Mid-America Arts Alliance Regional Touring Program.

About KCAIC: The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission (KCAIC), a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce, is focused on the creative industries sector of the Kansas economy. The Commission is dedicated to measuring, promoting, supporting and expanding the creative industries to grow the state’s economy and create creative industry-related jobs. For more on the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission go to KansasCommerce.gov/caic.