Open Call for Native Performing Artists:
Western Arts Alliance Native Launchpad Program
Western Arts Alliance (WAA) is pleased to open a call for the inaugural cohort of the Native Launchpad Program. This program will provide Indigenous artists with tools and resources needed to further their careers and introduce them to the world of arts presenting and management. It is for professional Indigenous artists who are interested in touring yet have little experience working with presenters and need guidance and assistance to break into the touring market. The Native Launchpad will help create opportunity and sustainability for individual Native artists and groups through financial support, professional development opportunities, strategic promotions and networking.
Native Launchpad participants will receive:
- A total cash award of $17,000: $10,000 for the first year, $5,000 for the second year and $2,000 for the third year to help get participants tour ready
- Western Arts Alliance membership for three years
- Complimentary registration and travel support to the WAA annual conference for three years
- Professional development opportunities during the conference and through WAA’s webinars and other professional development opportunities
- Promotional benefits including marketing banners for the
conference, feature coverage in the program, introduction at the Juried Showcase
- Native Launchpad Artist Profile in Western Ways e-newsletter and AIPP Resource Center
- Three years of mentorship/coaching from an Indigenous performing arts veteran, selected for the ability to advance your touring and career goals
- APAP Artists Membership for three years plus travel support to attend the APAP|NYC conference for the first two years. As part of the above strategy to help artists build and strengthen connections with national networks, WAA will partner with APAP to offer reduced conference registration rate, in addition to creating educational and opportunities during the conference
The total estimated value of each Native Launchpad award is $40,000 over the three-year cycle of the cohort. Recipients of this award will be asked to commit to engage in all elements of the Native Launchpad award for the duration of the three years. Participants will be eligible to seek additional funding through WAA’s Advancing Indigenous Performance Program’s travel and touring funds during the three years of the award.
Qualified applicants will be professional performing artists who intend on touring and self-identify as belonging to a Native American Nation, Alaskan Native Corporation, Native Hawaiian or who identify as an Indigenous person from the US Territories of American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The program is open to any
performing arts discipline that is suitable for touring and artists that are working in contemporary or traditional frameworks are encouraged to apply. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of Indigenous performing arts professionals.
The application will require:
- A least one video work sample
- An artist’s statement
- A statement of Native identity
- A statement of touring goals and objectives
- A letter of
recommendation from an individual or organization that has presented or produced you in the last three years
- A standard application form with room for additional supporting information that might assist the selection panel with evaluating your application
Click here to submit an application. Applications close June 13, 5:00 pm PST.
Notification of awards will be made by June 30, 2018.
Please see the application FAQ for additional information. For application support and questions please contact WAA’s interim Launchpad Program Manager, Andre Bouchard.
Press contact:
Tim Wilson, Executive Director, Western Arts Alliance
TWilson@westarts.org, 503-274-4729