The ArtStarts 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:
  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

• I am an educator; how do I book a Performance or Workshop at my school?
  If you are wanting to book an artist for a Performance or Workshop for the 2023/24 school year, you can do so through our online Booking Request Form(s) linked at the top of this page.
• 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.
• I am an educator; how do I book a Classroom Residency at my school?
  Classroom residencies are not booked through ArtStarts. If you want to have an artist do a residency at your school, get in touch with the artist directly through the contact info on their artist listing. Once you talk about your idea for the classroom you may want to apply for an AIC grant to help pay for the residency. This is not a requirement, just another resource to help support artists in schools!
• 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

• 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.