GLOBAL PERFORMING ARTS CONFERENCE
Donald Harrison performs at Town Hall during APAP|NYC 2024
(Adam Kissick/APAP)
WELCOME
We’re thrilled to invite you to New York City for the premier gathering of performing arts professionals in the presenting, booking, and touring industry and the members conference for the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP).
Connect with artists, agents, managers, producers, presenters and more. There's a reason you'll find 3,000+ professionals from all disciplines and genres and from all over the world here.
There are as many ways to APAP as there are attendees. A mix of meetings, professional development, showcases, and networking events, APAP|NYC offers the opportunities, connections, and information you need to thrive in your work.
APAP continues to strive toward a more accessible and inclusive conference. ASL interpretation, closed captioning, reserved wheelchair areas in sessions, gender-inclusive bathrooms, quiet rooms and wellness spaces, and a special artist registration rate are just a few examples.
Commerce and community remain at the heart of the conference, with more connective possibilities to support your creativity and productivity. Together, we inspire each other, experience world-class performance, engage with visionaries, learn from experts, and build lifelong, collaborative networks.
APAP will be better if YOU are in the room, at the table, and sharing your experiences. APAP is a membership organization, so join APAP first, and then register for the conference.
We can’t wait to welcome you in January!
John Cameron Mitchell speaking with Ben Cameron at the Closing Plenary of APAP|NYC 2024 (Adam Kissick/APAP)
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Below is a day-by-day schedule of our pre-conference and conference events, including networking, learning sessions, and EXPO Hours. 1000+ showcases also happen at APAP|NYC. You can access those listings once you register for conference.
At APAP|NYC 2025, you will find professional development sessions focused on three areas that highlight the ways the performing arts industry is changing: 1) Audience Evolutions; 2) Advocating for Ourselves, Our Organizations, and the Field; and 3) Shifts in Practice, whether in Programming, Business, Operations, Leadership, Art, or Management.
From plenaries, sessions and roundtables, dive deep into learning from experts, share, and make sense of shifts with colleagues, and discover inspiration to tackle your work anew.
All programming and scheduling subject to change.
Attendees engage in a session at APAP|NYC 2024 (Adam Kissick/APAP)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10
FIND YOuR PEOPLE AND
Connect with ColleagueS
PRE-CONFERENCE
FORUMS, AFFINITY GROUPS, AND MORE
(open to the public, RSVP required)
Join discussions of common interest. Affinity Groups are meant only for those who identify with the group.
9:00-10:30 a.m. Forums:
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Classical Music Forum
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With It and For It Circus Forum, hosted by the American Circus Alliance
9:00-11:00 a.m. Forums:
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Dance Forum
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Youth and Family Programming Forum
9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Special Event:
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Wavelengths: Global Music Conference
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Affinity Groups:
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Agents and Managers Affinity Group
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Artists Affinity Group
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College and University Presenters Affinity Group
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Independent/Venue-less Presenters Affinity Group
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Municipal Presenters Affinity Group
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Outdoor and Festival Presenters Affinity Group
12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Affinity Group and Meeting:
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Women of Color in the Arts (WOCA) Meeting
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LGBTQIA+ Professionals Affinity Group
3:00-4:30 p.m. Affinity Groups:
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Venues and Operations Affinity Group
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Marketing and Communications Professionals Affinity Group
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Development Professionals Affinity Group, Part 1
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Community Engagement Professionals Affinity Group
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10
GET ORIENTED, INSPIRED, AND READY FOR THE DAYS AHEAD
CONFERENCE
CONFERENCE OPENING DAY EVENTS
(conference registrants only, registration required)
1:30-2:45 p.m.
APAP|NYC 2025 Orientation
APAP|NYC 2025 Orientation is a networking session for everyone! Whether this is your first-time at conference, or you've attended the conference before, this year's orientation is for all registered conference attendees. We will review what's new and how to make the most of conference. We are excited to welcome you!
3:00-4:30 p.m.
UP NEXT! Artist Pitch Session
Discover 18 exciting new works under development or ready to tour. Learn about the artists here.
5:00-6:30 p.m.
Opening Plenary
The official kick-off to the APAP|NYC conference, the opening plenary promises to inspire and invigorate. Join us for this warm welcome from APAP leaders, Conference Co-Chairs, and special guests.
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Opening Reception
Welcome to APAP|NYC 2025! Reunite with friends and colleagues and meet new ones, from near and far, as we toast the coming year and affirm the power of the performing arts.
PLUS! Showcases all-day and all-night throughout the conference. Learn more about showcases. Showcase listings available in November to registrants only.
Mandy Gonzalez at APAP|NYC 2024 Opening Plenary
(Adam Kissick/APAP)
Attendees capture moments in a session at APAP|NYC 2024 (Adam Kissick/APAP)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 11
Strategize for the future AND DISCOVER NEW ARTISTS
CONFERENCE DAY 2 EVENTS
(conference registrants only, registration required)
8:00-9:00 a.m.
Info Sessions, Networking, and Consortia Meetings
9:00-9:50 a.m. Learning Session:
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Investing in Strategic Advocacy: How Arts Organizations, Lobbyists, and Communities Are Partnering to Win Big
9:00-10:30 a.m. Learning Sessions:
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Navigating the Changes in Live Audiences
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True Collaboration and Inclusion: The Promise and Practice of Distributed Leadership in Arts Organizations
10:00-10:50 a.m. Learning Session:
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Advocating Post-Election: What You Need to Know Now
11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Plenary Session: This is Strategy: Make Better Plans. A Conversation with Seth Godin
In this fireside chat, entrepreneur, writer, and educator Seth Godin, one of the world’s most influential business thinkers and bestselling author of This is Marketing, shares tools and insights from his new book This is Strategy that will transform the conversations you have with your colleagues about strategy. Book signing to follow.
12:30-1:45 p.m. Affinity Group:
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Asian Arts Professionals Affinity Group
1:30-6:00 p.m. EXPO open!
2:00-3:30 p.m.
Works-In-Progress Pitch Session
This artist pitch session featuring pre-selected projects not yet ready to tour. Explore and initiate partnerships to develop new work! RSVP here.
3:00-4:15 p.m. Affinity Groups:
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Black Arts Professionals Affinity Group
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Latinx Arts Professionals Affinity Group
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Indigenous and Native Arts Professionals Affinity Group
4:00-5:30 p.m.
Discovery Roundtables: Just SEW (Socially Engaged Work)
Join artist and presenters making and supporting work rooted in community, activism and/or social practice: Connect and collaborate!
5:30-7:00 p.m. Affinity Group:
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35 and Under Arts Professionals Affinity Group
6:00-7:00 p.m. Learning Session:
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International Cultural Exchange: Opportunities, Updates and Networking
6:00-7:00 p.m. EXPO After Hours (Booths need not be staffed.)
SPOTLIGHT: THE EXPO
THE WORLD's LEADING PERFORMING
ARTS MarketPLACE
The APAP|NYC EXPO opens on Saturday, January 11 and runs through Monday, January 13. (conference registrants only, registration required).
300+ booths in the APAP|NYC EXPO Commons bring the industry together to book seasons and tours, develop new creative collaborations, and get business done face-to-face. This is the world’s largest marketplace for the performing arts and the center of the APAP|NYC action!
ALL EXPO Hours:
SATURDAY, January 11: 1:30-6:00 p.m.
Plus, EXPO After Hours: Bonus Time from 6:00-7:00 p.m. (EXPO is open, but booths are not required to be staffed.)
SUNDAY, January 12: 1:30-6:00 p.m.
Plus, EXPO After Hours: Bonus Time from 6:00-7:00 p.m. (EXPO is open, but booths are not required to be staffed.)
MONDAY, January 13: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-6:00 p.m.
(From 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 3:00-4:30 p.m., EXPO is open, but booths are not required to be staffed.)
Interested in exhibiting? Booths are selling out quickly, so don’t lose your spot. Indicate your interest when you register.
Want to know who’s exhibiting? Check out the list here.
Interested in exhibiting? Learn more.
Conducting business in the EXPO at APAP|NYC 2024
(Christy Kissick/APAP)
Urban Bush Women showcase at APAP|NYC 2024 (Adam Kissick/APAP)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 12
LEARNING TOGETHER ABOUT NEW APPROACHEs TO THE ARTS, Business and well-being
CONFERENCE DAY 3 EVENTS
(conference registrants only, registration required)
9:00-10:30 a.m. Learning Sessions:
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The Art of Succession Planning
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Making Artistic Cents: How to Sell Tickets - Collaborative Marketing and Community Engagement
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Immersive Programming : It's for You. It's for Everyone. And It's the Future.
11:00-12:30 a.m. Learning Sessions:
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ArtsRX: Aligning Arts and Public Health
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A New Collective Approach to Programming: Shared Risks and Rewards
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Labor Issues: Retention, Wages, and Rest
12:30-1:30 p.m. Learning Session:
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Strategies for Navigating the Current Visa Process
1:30-6:00 p.m. EXPO open!
2:30-4:00 p.m. Learning Sessions:
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The Art of Relationships
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The Access Guide to Presenting & Touring the Performing Arts
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The Road to Well-Being for Arts Organizations and Communities
3:30-4:45 p.m.: Affinity Group:
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MOMentum: Mothers in the Arts Affinity Group
4:00-5:00 p.m. Affinity Group:
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Community College Affinity Group
4:15-5:30 p.m. Learning Session:
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Beyond the Music: Building a Sustainable Career as an Independent Artist
5:00-6:00 p.m. Affinity Group:
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Small and Midsized Presenters Affinity Group
6:00-7:00 p.m. EXPO After Hours (Booths need not be staffed.)
MONDAY, JANUARY 13
CELEBRATING THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST STARS
CONFERENCE DAY 4 EVENTS
(conference registrants only, registration required)
8:30-9:30 a.m.
APAP Annual Member Meeting
Join us for the Annual APAP Member Meeting. Engage with other members and hear from APAP leadership on the latest updates, including the APAP Sustainability Plan.
9:30-10:00 a.m.
The APAP Honors Awards Breakfast Meet & Greet
Grab a bite and enjoy time with colleagues before The APAP Honors Awards ceremony begins.
10:00-11:30 a.m.
The APAP Honors Awards Ceremony
The APAP Honors Awards special event returns. Join colleagues from across the performing arts to celebrate those who have made an impact on the field and those who are shaping the future.
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. EXPO open!
11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Learning Session:
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Creating New Futures for Better Block Booking
1:30-3:00 p.m.
APAP's Mentor Exchange Live
Conversations with field leaders and alumni from APAP's Board of Directors, Leadership Fellows Program, Emerging Leaders Institute and Artist Institute.
1:30-6:00 p.m. EXPO open!
3:30-4:30 p.m. Learning Sessions:
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Adapting to Climate Change: Presenting and Touring in a New Environmental Reality
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Choreographing the Campus
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
YPCA Showcase and Reception
APAP’s Young Performers Career Advancement (YPCA) program supports classical musicians early in their careers. This performance takes place in Merkin Concert Hall. Free and open to the public. Learn more and RSVP.
Award of Merit Honoree Terence Blanchard and APAP Board Chair Renae Williams Niles at The 2024 APAP Honors (Adam Kissick/APAP)
Njioma Grevious performs at the 2024 Young Performers Career Advancement (YPCA) showcase at Carnegie Hall (Adam Kissick/APAP)
TUESDAY, JANUARY 14
END ON A HIGH NOTE
CONFERENCE CLOSING DAY EVENTS
(conference registrants only, registration required)
8:30-10:00 a.m.
Farewell Breakfast Meet & Greet
Connect with colleagues at this closing networking event.
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Closing Plenary Session
Join your colleagues and the APAP Team as we end on a high note with a lively conversation with a special guest.
SPOTLIGHT: SHOWCASES
Don’t miss 1000+ showcases happening in and around NYC!
Independently produced showcases light up the stages across the city, before, during, and after the conference. The brightest stars and the newest works of every discipline and genre from around the world are right here at APAP|NYC.
Experience showcases all day and all night, every day during the conference. Conference registrants can view Showcase Listings on our online platform, starting in November.
Want to highlight your showcase? Be sure to purchase a Showcase Listing through the conference registration portal.
Learn more about how to showcase and how to attend showcases here.
Pamyua Showcase at APAP|NYC 2024 (Adam Kissick/APAP)
TO REGISTER
APAP|NYC is the world's premier gathering of the performing arts presenting, booking and touring industry and the annual members conference of the Association of Performing Arts Professionals.
You must have a current APAP membership to register and to access the conference and the APAP|NYC online platform/app. If your membership expires on or before December 31, 2024, you must renew it to maintain access to key conference information and to attend the conference itself.
APAP|NYC 2024 Registration Desk (Christy Kissick/APAP)
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