Tennessee Arts Commission presents artist showcase, conference at Renaissance Center

Release Date: 6/13/2006. Expired: 6/23/2006

The Tennessee Arts Commission’s Performing Arts Program will present Tennessee Stages. . . Tennessee Stars on Thursday, June 22, and Friday, June 23, at The Renaissance Center in Dickson. The two-day presenters conference will be devoted to providing technical assistance and multiple showcase opportunities in music, dance and theater for Tennessee presenters and performing artists.

The conference will provide a dual-track seminar schedule, and performance opportunities for professional Tennessee artists with an audience representing a large number of the state’s presenters. Networking opportunities and artist/presenter interaction will be further encouraged through the use of a resource room conference participants can share information about their organization, artists, or events.

“The commission held a presenters conference in 2004, and it was a huge success. In fact, it was so successful we felt like one day just wasn’t enough. This time around we have expanded the conference to two days, so there will be more time for networking and longer showcases for spotlighting Tennessee’s many talented performing artists,” says J. Noble, director of the commission’s Performing Arts Program.

Noble says approximately 30 performing artists will be selected to perform in high profile showcases during the event. “We have a lot of interest in those coveted showcase spots, so we will have a huge task in deciding who is included and who is not. We are working toward selecting talented performers who represent a variety of styles, creativity in their discipline, and originality.

Tickets for the performance showcases are available to the general public for $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7 for children under 13. The showcases begin at 7 p.m. June 22 and 9:20 a.m. June 23.

“We hope to give Tennessee presenters a sampling of the talent that is available to them, and provide performers an opportunity to gain much needed exposure.”

According to Noble, even if a performing artist is not selected for one of the showcases, there are still many options available and many benefits in attending.

Tennessee Stages. . . Tennessee Stars will include several workshops and seminars designed to meet the needs of both presenters and performers. Returning by popular demand, individual artists will have the opportunity to attend sessions facilitated by agent and author Jeri Goldstein. Her seminar topics will include: Marketing Your Act, The Art of Negotiating Fair Performance Deals, Niche Marketing, and Creating Additional Income Streams for Your Performing Career. Goldstein will also provide individual consultation for artists.

Presenters will be afforded the opportunity to confer with professionals in their field concerning topics of presenting agency management, contract negotiation, and block booking.

Perry Mixter, director of corporate and foundation relations at Appalachian State University, will offer sessions of interest to presenters. Mixter is the former director of the office of cultural affairs at Appalachian State and is a highly respected consultant for arts agencies. He previously served as executive director of the Winston-Salem Piedmont Triad Symphony and general manager of the University Opera at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Mixter will offer a session, Presenters 101, focusing on fundamentals and best practices of presenting. He will also facilitate a roundtable discussion about issues affecting Tennessee presenters.

Rich Boyd, executive director of the commission, says the conference opens doors for potential new collaborations between presenters and artists, and provides new performance opportunities that are accessible and cost effective.

“The conference is a way for the commission’s Performing Arts Program to assist Tennessee’s performing artists and presenters, and provide them with the tools and resources they need to be successful,” says Boyd.

For more information on Tennessee Stages . . . Tennessee Stars, contact J. Noble at (615)532-9801, or e-mail: . Information is also available on the Commission’s Web site: www.arts.state.tn.us/tnstagesinfo2006.htm.