Artist Directory

Artist Directory

Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

• What are the different offering types?
  The ArtStarts Artist Directory now features three different offering types: 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. 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. 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.
  
• How do I know when a performance or workshop is confirmed?
  Once you have signed the contract for your performance or workshop the event is confirmed. Until the contract is signed the event date and times are subject to change.
• How do I know when a Classroom Residency is confirmed?
  Classroom Residencies are coordinated directly by you and the artist. You will know it is confirmed if you have received confirmation directly from the artist you have reached out to.
• How can I give feedback on a performance or workshop?
  The day of your event an automated email will be sent to you with a feedback form you can choose to fill out.
• How can I tell if an Offering is in person or virtual?
  If there is a fee listed under “virtual” then the program is offered virtually. If there are fees listed for any of the regions in BC, it means that the program is available to be booked in those regions for in person programming.
• There are so many great artists on the Directory! How should I pick the artists for my school?
  There is no one right artist for each school, all of the artists have different strengths and focus! You could select an artist/performance/workshop that relates to a topic in the school at the time. Or you could work with someone whose ideas about art in school you really connect with. Or think about a perspective or experience that you want students to learn about and select someone who meets that need! If you are unsure and want support please contact our Booking and Touring team.
• Do you book performances, workshops, or classroom residencies outside of schools?
  No, ArtStarts only books performances in BC K-12 Schools during school hours.
• If I want to work with one of these artists outside of schools, how do I go about contacting them?
  Some artists have their contact information on their listing. Other folks have their website, social media, or phone number as ways you can get in touch with them. If their contact information isn’t listed please email the ArtStarts team and we can put you in touch.

Information for Artists

• How 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 come to your school!
• 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.