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The ArtStarts Artist Directory

Artist Directory

 

ArtStarts maintains an Artist Directory of talented artists who offer performances, workshops, and/or classroom residencies specifically tailored for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12. The Directory features over 90 artists who have experience working with young people and are available for in-person or virtual offerings for schools across BC. 

PLEASE NOTE: The 2024-25 Booking Request form is now available for a portion of our artists. The remainder will come on line by June 30th.

On this page you’ll find:

  • Artist Directory: click on each artist profile to find more information. 
  • Important links including Booking Forms (below and top right side of page)
  • FAQs for artists and educators (bottom of page)

For educators, the Directory is a resource that helps educators find artists. ArtStarts provides students access to artistic experiences that are relevant, representative, and integrated into their learning through the Artist Directory. Please note, artist fees do not reflect GST or $45 ArtStarts booking fee. If you are interested in booking a classroom residency, please contact the artist directly. Grants are available to fund the residency.

For artists, the Directory can act as a helpful self-promotion tool for artists interested in working in schools and with young people! New intakes to the Artist Directory happen annually each Fall.

Browse the full directory of artists below or filter based on your search criteria.

Important Links (also found on top right of page)

Book an artist for your school 24-25



Booking Request Form (2024-2025 School Year)

Book artists to tour 1 or more schools in your district

Block Booking Request Form (2024-2025 School Year)

Difficulty accessing Booking Forms?

Email your request to [email protected]

How To Videos

1) How To Navigate the Artist Directory
2) How To Find the Booking Request Form
3) How To Locate an Artist's Booking Fee

Get in Touch

Heather Campbell
Co-Director, Admin
[email protected]

Dana Lopez
Coordinator, Booking & Touring
[email protected]


Artist Directory

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3 Crows Productions

3 Crows Productions
Storytelling

Aché Brasil

Aché Brasil
Interdisciplinary

Aglika Ivantcheva

Aglika Ivantcheva
Interdisciplinary

Axé Capoeira

Axé Capoeira
Interdisciplinary

Bushido

Bushido
Music

CréaSon

CréaSon
Music

D.O. Gibson

D.O. Gibson
Interdisciplinary

Dan Siney

Dan Siney
Interdisciplinary

Della  Burford

Della Burford
Visual Arts

DinoCats

DinoCats
Music

FloWarrior

FloWarrior
Interdisciplinary

Gail Nyoka

Gail Nyoka
Storytelling

Greg Weir

Greg Weir
Music

Ira Pettle

Ira Pettle
Interdisciplinary

Isabelle Kirouac

Isabelle Kirouac
Interdisciplinary

Johnny MacRae

Johnny MacRae
Spoken Word

Kellie Haines Ventriloquist

Kellie Haines Ventriloquist
Interdisciplinary

Kiérah

Kiérah
Music

Kung Jaadee

Kung Jaadee
Storytelling

Kutapira

Kutapira
Music

Laura McGregor

Laura McGregor
Visual Arts

Leanna Carlson

Leanna Carlson
Visual Arts

Lee Edward Fodi

Lee Edward Fodi
Interdisciplinary

Lori Sherritt-Fleming

Lori Sherritt-Fleming
Interdisciplinary

Mark Hellman

Mark Hellman
Interdisciplinary

Metaphor

Metaphor
Music

Moon Jelly Arts Collective

Moon Jelly Arts Collective
Interdisciplinary

Nickie Lewis

Nickie Lewis
Visual Arts

ORIGINZ

ORIGINZ
Music

Phyllis Schwartz

Phyllis Schwartz
Visual Arts

Pico's Puppet Palace

Pico's Puppet Palace
Interdisciplinary

Professor Wow

Professor Wow
Interdisciplinary

Quinn Beasley

Quinn Beasley
Interdisciplinary

Rhoda Merkel

Rhoda Merkel
Storytelling

RupLoops

RupLoops
Music

Shayna Jones

Shayna Jones
Storytelling

Stephanie Morin-Robert

Stephanie Morin-Robert
Interdisciplinary

TapCo

TapCo
Dance

Wali Shah

Wali Shah
Storytelling

Zaffi Green

Zaffi Green
Theatre


Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

  • What are the different offering types?
    The ArtStarts Artist Directory now features three different offering types:
    1. Performance: A pre-established 30min-75min performance where students are participating as an audience that is booked through ArtStarts and can tour to multiple regions in the province of BC.
    2. Workshop: A pre-established engagement that involves students actively participating in the skill learning that can be a half to full day, to multiple days. It is booked through ArtStarts and can tour to multiple regions in the province of BC.
    3. Classroom Residency: A Classroom Residency is a longer engagement that is not booked through ArtStarts. Residencies can be as short as one week and as long as a full school year! Residencies are supported through our Artists in the Classroom grant. BC-based artists and educators work together to apply for an AIC Grant to support the residency in the school.
  • How are these performances, workshops, and classroom residencies connected to the BC Curriculum?
    All of the offerings from artists relate to the curriculum in various ways. Some of them teach concepts or share stories related to the Big Ideas or Content of the BC Curriculum. Others focus on the Core Competencies and teach communication, self regulation, etc. Some Performances and Workshops come with worksheets for teachers that are an extension of the event. All Classroom Residencies are tailored to meet specific curriculum areas that the school wants to focus on.
  • How does the ArtStarts booking service work?
    1. Select an Artist offering
    a. Browse the Artist Directory to discover over 90 artists representing a diverse cross section of artistic disciplines and topics.
    2. Submit an Online Booking Request or reach out to the artist directly
    a. If you are interested in a performance or workshop please fill out our Online Booking Request Form available at the top right of this web page. We’ll work with the artists you have selected to confirm their touring dates and available times.
    b. If you would like to collaborate with an artist for a Classroom residency you can find their contact information on their listing page. Please contact them directly to coordinate.
    3. Booking Confirmation
    a. You will receive an email from a “No Reply at ArtStarts” account with a proposed date and time for one or more of your requested artists with a link to a contract. Please follow the contract link and sign in order to confirm the event date and time.
    4. Invoicing
    a. You can expect to receive invoices in the month prior to the event if it was confirmed in time. There is also an additional $45 booking fee charge for all events booked through ArtStarts. Many districts make use of our district billing service. If you have any questions please reach out to our Booking and Touring team.
    5. Event Reminders
    a. Two week before the scheduled event an automated email is sent out connecting you with the artist so that you can confirm setup and tech requirements for the day.
  • Why is there a higher listing fee for performances and workshops?
    The difference in listing prices between Workshops/Performances and Classroom Residencies is the amount of work that ArtStarts does for those offerings. Workshops/Performances are booked and invoiced by ArtStarts. Classroom Residencies are not booked or invoiced by ArtStarts. Artists find and organize these residencies on their own. Often the residencies are funded through the Artists in the Classroom Grant which requires an application made by an artist and school.

Information for Educators

Information for Artists

  • I am an artist; why should I apply to be on the ArtsStarts Artist Directory?
    The ArtStarts Artist Directory is a listing of artists who are interested in and ready to work with young people in BC K-12 Schools. The Directory is a helpful self-promotion resource to connect you to educators and schools in the province. You can choose what kinds of work you will do in schools: tour the province with a performance, tour the province with a workshop, and/or collaborate with schools to create Classroom Residencies.
  • How and when can I join the Artist Directory?
    Artists can apply to join our Directory every August-October for the next school year. Artists are selected by an external panel of artists and educators who are familiar with the art world and ArtStarts programming based on their creative practice, approach to working with young people, and past experience. All artists on the Directory have experience working with young people and are ready to work in schools! Please sign up to our Artist newsletter for updates on the next intake of applications to the Artist Directory.
  • Is ArtStarts an agent for artists who are featured in the directory?
    No, Artstarts is not an agent. ArtStarts does not solicit bookings for artists, instead schools and school districts initiate bookings and ArtStarts organizes the scheduling of these events and the invoicing on behalf of the artists.
  • Are there any associated costs?
    There is an application fee as well as the costs of listings if your application is successful.

    Application fee: We offer a sliding scale of $25 to $75

    Listings fees:
    • Classroom Residencies* (up to 3) - $50
    • Performance/Workshop - 1 Offering - $250
    • Performances/Workshops - 2 Offerings - $450
    • Performances/Workshops - 3 Offerings - $600
    • Performances/Workshops - 4 Offerings - $750

    *If you do not have a Workshop/Performance you will be listed on the directory as offering Classroom Residencies.
  • What is the selection process for new artists on the directory?
    Once an application has been submitted, it will be peer assessed by an external jury of artists and educators, who will be referencing the application rubric. ArtStarts staff will review all applications prior to adjudication and any not meeting the eligibility criteria will not be brought forward to the jury for assessment.
  • What can I offer?
    1. Performance: A pre-established 30min-75min performance where students are participating as an audience that is booked through ArtStarts and can tour to multiple regions in the province of BC.
    2. Workshop: A pre-established engagement that involves students actively participating in the skill learning that can be a half to full day, to multiple days. It is booked through ArtStarts and can tour to multiple regions in the province of BC.
    3. Classroom Residency: A Classroom Residency is a longer engagement that is not booked through ArtStarts. Residencies can be as short as one week and as long as a full school year! Residencies are supported through our Artists in the Classroom grant. BC-based artists and educators work together to apply for an AIC Grant to support the residency in the school.
  • What does the Directory have to do with the Artists in the Classroom (AIC) grant?
    The Directory is a tool for educators to find artists to work with on applying for an AIC grant. Educators can use the directory to learn more about artists' creative practices, background, and interests in schools to find someone to collaborate with! The school and artist then work together to write the grant and plan the project. ArtStarts does not book Classroom Residencies in schools like we do for tours or workshops. The school and artist mutually agree on the dates and work directly to plan the residency.

    You can apply for an AIC grant to help pay for a classroom residency but you do not have to! You do not have to work with an artist on the ArtStarts Artist Directory to apply for the AIC grant. Any BC-based professional artist is eligible to be part of an AIC Project.
  • Do I have to be listed on the ArtStarts Artist Directory to apply for an Artists in the Classroom (AIC) grant?
    No! Any BC-Based professional artist can apply for the AIC grant. The Directory is more of a promotional tool for artists to advertise to educators.
  • Do I need to apply to Showcase to be on the ArtStarts Artist Directory?
    No! New artists are welcome to apply for Showcase but your acceptance on the Directory is not contingent on the success of a Showcase application. Please visit our Showcase webpage for more.