2015 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
VANCOUVER, BC AUGUST 31 SEPTEMBER 3
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PICTURED Lunarfest at the PreOlympic Cultural Olympiad in February 2009, photo by Coast Mountain Photography, courtesy of Tourism Vancouver
WE WORK
We are in the business of transforming lives‌setting artists and audiences in concert for performances that inspire, uplift, entertain, and, now and then, provoke. It’s a privilege to do this work, but work it is, and Western Arts Alliance is here to lighten the load. WAA’s Annual Conference puts together the resources you need to learn new ideas, connect with peers, find redhot artists, and launch new works.
WE WORK shown in Manadrin.
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PICTURED A Hesquiaht (Nuu. chah.nulth) pole, The Four Seasons, carved by artist Tim Paul, photographed by Suzanne Rushton, courtesy of Tourism Vancouver
EXCHANGE
Vancouver will draw exhibitors and delegates from across the US, Canada, and around the Pacific Rim. With 180 exhibits representing thousands of artists, more than 100 performances, and a dozen networking events, we’re breaking down borders for an unprecedented opportunity to broaden your programming, foster partnership and collaboration, and promote exchange.
EXCHANGE shown in Klallam, a sub-language of Salish.
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PICTURED Ballet BC, White Act, choreographed by Fernando Hernando Magadan, courtesy of Ballet BC
REACH
Our professional development program is tailor-made to help you build insight, knowledge, and confidence in this rapidlychanging field. With topics including Indigenous performance, social media engagement, international taxation, and audience development, you’ll take away the resources and tools required to summit today’s challenges.
REACH shown in French.
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PICTURED Black Arm Band, dirtsong, photo by Sarah Walker, courtesy of the artist
TOGETHER
The world is getting smaller every day. The West is becoming far more ethnically diverse, and WAA is working to make our community more inclusive and successful. Now is the time to rekindle professional relationships and create new ones with friends and colleagues across the West and around the Pacific. We’re in this together. The Arts Unite Us.
TOGETHER shown in Matu Wangka, an Aboriginal language of northwest Australia.
THIS PAGE (clockwise from left) 2015 Annual Luncheon Artist Germรกn Lรณpez, photo by Nacho Gonzรกlez, courtesy of Cadenza Artists; 2015 Juried Showcase Artist 605 Collective, photo by David Cooper Photography, courtesy of the artist; 2015 Juried Showcase Artists Niyaz feat. Azam Ali, photo by Jarret Gibbons, courtesy of the artists; 2015 Juried Showcase Artists Afiara Quartet, photo by Daniel Ehrenworth, courtesy of Colbert Artist Management; 2015 Annual Luncheon Artist Malika Tirolien, courtesy of Cadenza Artists; 2015 Juried Showcase Artist Bria Skonberg, photo by Seth Cashman, courtesy of JWP Agency; 2015 Juried Showcase Artist evalyn parry in SPIN, photo by Jeremy Mimnagh, courtesy of The Collection Agency Entertainment; 2015 Juried Showcase Artists the WONDERHEADS, photo by DesignEgg, courtesy of the artist; 2015 Juried Showcase Artist Betty Bonifassi, photo by Gabryelle Cote, courtesy of Riot Artists.
“SPECTACULAR BY NATURE” For the first time in our nearly 50 year history, Western Arts Alliance (WAA) will venture beyond the US border for our annual conference. The city’s rich cultural background (43% of Metro Vancouver residents have an Asian background) has produced a spectrum of artistic expression, creative communities, and restaurant hot spots. Vancouver brings a new city, new markets, and new opportunities. With its thriving music scene, flourishing dance community, beautiful concert halls, vibrant First Nations heritage, and unique transpacific cultural connection, Vancouver is an arts powerhouse and is truly “Spectacular by nature!”
THE COMMONS The Commons—WAA’s combination meeting, event, and exhibit space—encourages discovery, conversation, and connection. The Commons features 180 exhibits this year, including breakout sessions and independent showcases all under one roof!
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Drawing on the region’s performing arts experts, we’ve assembled dozens of new speakers, workshops, panels, and roundtables. This year’s topics include welcoming new audiences, emergency preparedness, cross-border tax issues, contract negotiations, and more. The 2015 program also includes two pre-conference workshops. Sunday, August 30 INDIGENOUS PERFORMANCE SYMPOSIUM: A day-long international program that seeks to nurture connections among Indigenous artists and touring and presenting networks, advance Indigenous performance, and build pathways for the successful presentation of Indigenous works. Monday, August 31 SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT METRICS & ANALYTICS:
Learn how to measure, analyze, and convert your social media audience. Find influencers and taste-makers, expand digital platforms beyond Facebook and Twitter, and follow up with supporters offline!
THIS PAGE Keynote Speaker Shane Koyczan, photo by Kaare Iverson Photography, courtesy of The Feldman Agency; Totem poles in Vancouver’s Stanley Park, photo by Al Harvey, courtesy of Tourism Vancouver; Vancouver Panoramic, photo by Clayton Perry, courtesy of Tourism Vancouver; Jay Dodge in Photog, a Boca del Lupo Production, photo by Stephen Drover, courtesy of Boca del Lupo. FACING PAGE English Bay Inukshuk, created by artisan Alvin Kanak from the North West Territories in 1987, photo by Andy Mons, courtesy of Tourism Vancouver; We created by artist Jaume Plensa, photo by Clayton Perry, courtesy of Tourism Vancouver.
THIS PAGE Vancouver Jazz Festival, photo by Dannielle Hayes, courtesy of Tourism Vancouver; Djuki Mala Chooky Dancers, photo by Sean Young, courtesy of the artist. FACING PAGE Jay Hiribayashi in Butoh at the Neworld Theatre, photo by Matt Reznek, courtesy of Fascinator Management; A-maze-ing Laughter by Yue Minjun, photo by Clayton Perry, courtesy of Tourism Vancouver.
PERFORMANCE & DISCOVERY Discovery is the engine that propels the conference. Juried Showcases, Independent Showcases, sponsored performances, artist keynotes, and Speed Leads, all reflect the breadth and depth of touring performance in the West.
INDEPENDENT SHOWCASES This year, experience the best acts that the West has to offer with showcases for World Music, Dance, Indigenous Performance, Theatre, and more! Throughout the week WAA will provide a shuttling circuit between showcases in the conference hotel and those offsite.
CONNECTIONS & NETWORKING Trusted relationships are essential to the success of every artist, agent, and presenter. And with a variety of hospitality events, dine-arounds, showcases, plenary sessions and roundtable conversations, every conference event becomes a chance to expand and revitalize your network.
HOSPITALITY WAA offers four hospitality events free with a full registration and two ticketed events you won’t want to miss! From the Opening Reception to the Annual Luncheon and Closing Night party—a private event at The Vancouver Rowing Club with stunning views of Coal Harbour and the Vancouver skyline—WAA’s generous hospitality events are a great way to relax, enjoy yourself with colleagues and clients, reconnect with old friends, and make new ones.
NEW COLLEAGUES, MENTORING, & 35BELOW Starting out can be overwhelming, that’s why WAA’s New Colleague, Mentoring, and 35Below programs have gone the extra mile to help you connect and succeed. Our New Colleague Program welcomes first-time attendees with pre-conference mentoring, an onsite orientation, and a conference mentor to build purposeful relationships. WAA’s 35Below program works to network, connect, and empower young professionals in the performing arts community.
THE CONFERENCE 411 2015 Western Arts Alliance Annual Conference, August 31 September 3 Early registration (now through July 20), $425 members/ $550 non-members Conference hotel: Westin Bayshore Hotel, rate $165 CAD + tax, 1-800-937-8461 Want to exhibit or register? Full details and registration information: www.westarts.org
THIS PAGE Electric Company Theatre and Kidd Pivot’s Betroffenheit, photo by Wendy D Photography, courtesy of Fascinator Management; Alex Rabens, The Windish Agency, enjoying the exhibit hall seating area, photo by The Photo Group; 2014 Launchpad Artists Tim Weed and Anne Marrie Scheffler pose for a photo in front of their booth, photo by The Photo Group; photo of composer/DJ Gabriel Prokofiev by Nathan Gallagher, courtesy of Sozo Artists, Inc. FACING PAGE Aburi Salmon Oshi Sushi from Miku Restaurant in Vancouver, courtesy of Tourism Vancouver; Sparkling lights at the PuSh Festival, photo by Riz Herbosa dG, courtesy of PuSh International Performing Arts Festival.
CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES Vancouver, Canada
PLEASE JOIN US IN THANKING OUR
GRANT SUPPORT:
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SPONSORS FACING PAGE The Museum of Anthropology’s Great Hall, courtesy of the Museum of Anthropology. THIS PAGE A packed house at UBC’s Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, photo by Tim Matheson, courtesy of the Chan Centre. BACK COVER Vancouver’s Coal Harbour neighborhood, photo by Albert Normandin, courtesy of Tourism Vancouver; The Banff Centre and Red Sky Performance in Backbone, photo by Don Lee, courtesy of Red Sky Performance.
2O15 ANNUAL CONFERENCE VANCOUVER, BC AUGUST 31 – SEPTEMBER 3
Early Bird Registration Ends July 20 715 SW MORRISON STREET, SUITE 600 PORTLAND, OREGON 97205 T 503-274-4729 F 503-274-4768
Design The Felt Hat