---

---

Building the network

The Plan
Touring helps performing artists build audiences, get exposure, and make connections with presenters and producers. But not many IBPOC artists / companies / works are able to tour in Canada.

To change that, the wind in the leaves collective is working with presenters/ project partners to set up a touring network designed specifically to support multidisciplinary IBPOC artists and those who work with them.

Benefits of an IBPOC Touring Network:

• Enabling participating presenter partners across Canada to collaborate on staging, promoting and sharing resources.
• Providing touring artists with strong support and a clearly defined touring route.

The Partners
We worked with established artist-presenters across Canada who are keenly interested in supporting IBPOC and allied multi-disciplinary performing artists and experienced in presenting and/or producing works by and/or for IBPOC performing artists.

Founding partner organizations:
Canadian Stage (Toronto, ON)
DecidedlyJazz Calgary, AB)
Westben Centre for Connection & Creativity through Music (Campbellford, ON)
Atlantic Ballet (Moncton, NB)
Sampradaya Dance Creations (Mississauga, ON)
Citadel + Compagnie (Toronto, ON),
Canadian Dance Assembly

Current partner venues:
Citadel + Compagnie (Toronto, ON)
The Registry Theatre (Kitchener, ON)
Guelph Dance (Guelph, ON)
Westben Centre for Connection & Creativity through Music (Campbellford, ON)
… and we’re currently discussing opportunities with other interested venues – stay tuned!

The Accomplishments:

Feasibility Study
The wind in the leaves collective commissioned an in-depth feasibility study for the creation of an IBPOC Touring Network.
Click here to access or download the full report.

“This network has the potential to tip the scale.” (Survey response)
“I think [the network] would be an amazing resource for presenters to find and support new talent.” (Interviewed presenter)

National Conferences in 2023 and 2024
The collective has convened two national conferences: In May 2023, the topic was feasibility and requirements, and in October 2024, the topic was practicalities of touring. In 2024, the event was co-presented with FALL FOR DANCE NORTH, which meant that not only national but international presenters attending the conference and exciting conversations happening!

Toronto, May 29-30, 2023:
2023 Conference Program Brochure
2023 showcased artists

Toronto, October 4-5, 2024:
2024 Conference Program Brochure
2024 showcased artists

The events included the following:

• Keynotes by experienced IBPOC artists and presenters
• Research reports on feasibility and on implementation (vison, goals, measures of success, overcoming challenges, expanding audiences, revenue generation ideas)
• Artist showcase: Video presentation of touring-ready works by multidisciplinary IBPOC artist or allies working with IBPOC artists
• Panels on
  – Being touring-ready
  – Resources and Generating Revenue to Support Touring
  – Presenters/Producers/Arts Services Organizations Perspectives

Touring Pilot (February/March 2025)

Based on the insights and learnings of the two conferences and reports, a touring pilot IBPOC Artists’ Network Tour: From Words to Action 2025 (Ontario only) was initiated in early 2025. Six groups of performers whose work was chosen to be showcased IBPOC Touring Network Conference were able to perform double bills in @westben in Campbellford, @guelphdance in Guelph, @registrytheatre in Kitchener and @citadelcie_ in Toronto (February-March, 2025) – they were excited about this opportunity and about the reception they received.
And that was just the beginning – stay tuned!

Videos
You can view the full video showcases from the conference here: