The Montana Performing Arts Consortium (MPAC) will hold its next Annual Showcase and Conference on October 10-12, 2025 at the Mansfield Center for Performing Arts in Great Fall Montana. MPAC is now accepting showcase applications and performing artists of all genres are encouraged to apply. Conference registration for all attendees will be available in April, 2025. More information is available here.
MPAC’s Annual Showcase and Conference is a 3-day event that gathers over 100 performing arts professionals to plan performances, network, learn, and develop lasting relationships that extend into communities around the state. Each year, the event is attended by artists, agents, arts advocacy organizations, and presenting organizations from throughout Montana. About 18-20 presenters typically attend, hailing from communities large and small—from Sidney to Libby and Eureka to Gardiner. In October 2024, attending organizations included the Alberta Bair Theater (Billings), The Motherlode Theater (Butte), and the Walchholz College Center (Kalispell). MPAC's annual conference features juried showcase performances by 17 performers from throughout the continent, a trade-show style exhibit hall, networking events, and professional development workshops.
The showcases are the main event of the conference as they give artists the opportunity to promote their programs to a large number of Montana presenters. Likewise, the showcases give presenters the chance to sample a wide variety of live performances to consider booking for future concerts and live events. The conference also facilitates a block-booking meeting to help presenters work together and coordinate tour dates, saving time and money for both venues and performers.
Artists interested in touring Montana are encouraged to apply for a showcase performance or register for a booth in the exhibit hall. The showcases are juried by a panel of both presenters and artists (or an artist agent). The panel chooses a diverse array of showcasing acts based on quality of work samples, promotional materials, outreach programs, and marketability in Montana communities. Beyond the 17 performers invited to showcase, the jury panel will also select five to seven additional artist groups to serve as alternates and give quick five-minute pitches in one of the conference sessions for presenters.
MPAC will host an informational Zoom webinar about the conference and application process on Tuesday, February 18, at 2:00pm Mountain Time. Interested artists and agents are welcome to sign up here.
Showcase applications will be accepted until April 25, 2025. An early-bird discount on the application fee is available until March 15, 2025. Montana-based artists also receive a special “local talent” discount on their showcase application. Visit the showcase page for all details on application fees, deadlines, registration requirements, and additional information.
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