AOC’s New Works Pitch Program

Transforming opera in Canada, focusing on whose stories get told.

A program for equity-seeking creatives, funded by Azrieli Foundation as part of a larger program called Centering Artists.

Expression of Interest deadline March 3, 2022.

Pour obtenir des informations en français, contactez j_klein@opera.ca

About this program:

AOC’s New Works Pitch program will select up to 5 artists or smaller companies / collectives who are developing a new work and help them level-up and supersize their impact through more money (commissioning partners), more resources (producing partners), or more presentations (presenting partners).

The program will include:

  1. $2500 towards creation of polished pitch and promotional materials for your project
  2. Professional advice and mentorship on bringing your project to its next phase of development – some mentorship and advice provided one on one, and some in a collaborative learning / cohort model (Market knowledge, Network development, Pitch coaching, and other advice as may be needed)
  3. An organized pitch session, providing access to key partners you may need to move your project forward

This program is juried by an IBPOCLGBTQ2+ jury with diverse artistic backgrounds and experiences, and will include workshops and other training opportunities offered by equity-seeking professionals.

Is this program for you?

  1. Are you an artist or company with a new artistic work in development in the fields of opera, music theatre, musical theatre, or other similar cultural forms (for example Indigenous Practice / Chinese opera / hip-hop theatre etc)?
  2. Are you at any point before scheduling a premiere performance of this work (from first thought to production)
  3. Are you an equity-seeking person, or a smaller organization led by equity-seeking people? (For a definition of Equity-Seeking, please see out FAQ)

Not sure if your idea is a great fit? Please apply anyway. We really want to hear from you and get to know what you’re up to. The Expression of Interest form is very short.

More Details:

  1. Who is leading this program? 
  2. What is the application process?
  3. When: timeline 
  4. Where will this project happen ? 
  5. Why is Association for Opera in Canada offering this program? 
  6. How do I apply ?
  7. FAQ

Expression of Interest Deadline March 3, 2022

This program is led by AOC’s General Manager Joel Klein (he/him flexible):

An arts development strategy specialist, Joel has worked extensively in opera, queer theatre, and dance administration and market development. Current General Manager of Association for Opera in Canada (AOC) and past Executive Director of Made in BC – Dance on Tour, Joel has also been an independent consultant since 2017. He retains a performance practice in solo and concert work, and as the drag chanteuse Maria Toilette.

You can learn more about Joel here.

Step 1: Expression of Interest: Due March 3

  • This is a very short form so that we get to know who you are and what your interest is in the program
  • A jury of equity-seeking peers from the music and opera sectors will review your brief expression of interest and task AOC with coming back to you with questions
  • If you have any access needs in completing this application, please email j_klein@opera.ca and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Step 2: AOC will get in touch with you for a quick chat.

Step 3: The Jury will meet one more time to discuss the projects now that the questions have been answered.

Notification will happen on or before March 15.

March 3, 2022 Hard Deadline, Expressions of Interest
March 15, 2022 Final Notifications, Program Start
May 28, 2022 Tentative Date, Pitch Session
June / July  / August          Mentorship and Coachings continue
Fall 2022 End of Pilot Year 1

 

All activities for Pilot year 1 are currently planned online.

This program directly responds to our current strategic plan Resilience Through Equity, Goal 3, Strategy 1.

The plan was the result of an extensive consultation where we heard from our members that:

  • For the sector to thrive, it needs to feature more diverse voices,
  • Larger companies and producers with resources want the Association’s help to find new work and new artists, and to experience new artistic perspectives.

We know how arts markets work and we are in a position to assist equity-seeking creatives.

Expression of Interest Deadline March 3, 2022

 

If your question isn’t covered here, please email General Manager Joel Klein (j_klein@opera.ca)

Real questions from real applicants!

  1. Q: How does AOC define Equity-Seeking? Canada council’s definition of Equity-seeking can be found at this link. For this program AOC defines this term as inclusive of IBPOCLGBTQ2+, Women and Deaf and Disabled folks, and are intentionally not exclusive beyond these groups. There is an opportunity in the expression of interest form for folks to describe how they define themselves.
  2. Q: Does the score need to be finished for a work to be eligible for this project? A: No, the score doesn’t need to be finished. It doesn’t even need to be started!
  3. Q: Is Azrieli Foundation choosing who gets into the program? A: No, and AOC staff are also not making this choice. We have brought in a totally independent jury.
  4. Q: Who is providing the core mentorship and how are you choosing who else will be hired to advise artists? A: Our General Manager Joel Klein is the core mentor – he works in pitching and market development for artists and works – primarily for Equity-Seeking artists and companies, and has done this work at a high professional level in dance, theatre, music and other disciplines since 2011. Any other mentors or advisors brought in will be chosen based on the needs of program participants.
  5. Q: Do I have to be a member of AOC to apply for this program? A: No, this program is not exclusive to members.

Predicted Questions:

  1. My project has music and storytelling as main elements, but isn’t ‘opera’ – is it eligible? Yes!
  2. My project is digital, is it eligible? A: Yes!
  3. I’m an early career / mid-career / established artist. Am I eligible? A: Yes!
  4. I’m representing a large opera company. Is this program a good fit? A: Probably not – but if you have a project you’re trying to move forward and would love the help of AOC, please let us know.
  5. What if I don’t get into the program? AOC is currently developing an online showcase / portal where we could centrally display every project that is brought forward. Exact timelines remain TBD, but we want to make sure that there is an opportunity for every project to be seen.
  7. I’m not sure if I’m equity-seeking. Should I apply? If you feel you represent an inequity-experiencing group and you would be a good fit for and benefit from this program, we encourage you to provide a thoughtful expression of interest.
  8. I’m not inequity-experiencing. Does AOC have a way for me to feature my work? AOC is currently taking this action to boost the signal of folks who have experienced systemic barriers in accessing resources and audiences, and who may represent audiences that have seen themselves less frequently onstage. All of our other channels remain open to all artists including
    1. Searchable Artist Member Directory
    2. Directory of Organization Members
    3. The Discover Opera in Canada Portal – Note – all events added to the Opera Event Calendar are shared with 700 industry subscribers in our weekly sector eNews.
    4. Online and in-person networking events (Announcements coming soon)
  9. How do I leave feedback regarding this program and / or process? You’re welcome to email j_klein@opera.ca, or to provide anonymous feedback at this link: https://airtable.com/shrf6pchs8PaUKFts