Contact East Conference Creates Opportunities for Maine Presenters

The Contact East Conference is an annual event that takes place in the provinces of Atlantic Canada. This year it is taking place in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The event allows artists to showcase and presenting organizations to book artists for tours. There are also professional development workshops, networking opportunities, and peripheral arts event during the gathering.The 2010 Contact East conference also brought together participants from across Canada, Britain, and America for an international summit on the exchange of culture. The invited delegates discussed solutions for improving arts touring networks, communication structures and funding resources to support touring performances and other forms of cultural exchange. The Maine Arts Commission was represented by its performing arts associate Kerstin Gilg at the day-long meeting.

Delegates in 2010 summit on international exchange of culture

Full details of the summit will be made available when the meeting minutes are finalized. However, an agreement was reached between the Atlantic Presenters Association and New England Presenters and Arts Presenters of Northern New England in creating improved partnerships for block booking throughout the region. The Atlantic Presenters Association also extended the invitation to Maine artists to apply for next years Contact East showcases and encouraged Maine presenters to continue to attend.

Petunia & The Vipers open the 2010 Contact East showcases

The Contact East conference runs from September 23 - 26. More information about the outcomes will come soon and be made available through the Maine Arts Commission. So far, it has proven to be a very productive gathering.

There will be a meeting of Arts Presenters of Northern New England in Bethel Maine on November 10. The meeting will be hosted by the Mahoosuc Arts Council and is free and open to presenting organizations. Outcomes of the Contact East Conference will be presented at this meeting. Call 207/824.3575 for more information.