South Arts: Launchpad

South Arts has kicked off a pilot program to help expand opportunities for performing arts presenters and grow the performing arts field in its nine member states—Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Through its Launchpad initiative, the regional arts organization is providing mentorships and other professional development services to presenting organizations beginning or expanding in the South Arts region. It is offering a travel subsidy of up to $1,000 to enable Launchpad participants to attend its 2016 Performing Arts Exchange (PAE) in Orlando, Florida. Presenters in the pilot also may request up to $200 from South Arts to cover the annual dues of a statewide presenters’ network. In addition, presenting grants of up to $2,500 are available to presenters that are booking a PAE showcase artist or a South Arts showcase artist for the 2017-2018 season. The goals of the pilot are not only to encourage professional presenting practices but also to support a peer network of presenters and to build relationships between presenters and performers. To learn more, contact South Arts Director of Presenting & Touring Grants Nikki Estes.