About

Participating in International Delegations

CAPACOA, through its leadership in dynamic cultural diplomacy, has established itself in the strategic role of export accelerator. CAPACOA strives to define market values, shapes projects with common goals, and brings shared resources to the table. 

The result is tactical relationships that create new collaborative opportunities, expand arts and culture careers, and mitigate shared risk models for export ready artists and live performance companies. 

Global opportunity remains an abstract concept without progressive planning, animated by trust and experience.


Delegations led by the International Market Development Committee come together in a number of different ways:

Collaborations with International Partners

CAPACOA partners with international organizations like festivals and events; regional networks; arts producers; government agencies; associations; and industry events like arts conferences. These organizations extend invitations to their stakeholders to host and meet with delegations of Canadian arts professionals. 

The host organization defines the profile of the participant they are looking for. Profiles can include language, artistic discipline, context of work, festival versus seasonal programming, organization history, financial strength, capacity to book international work with an established track record, and operational footprint.

Host organizations often come to CAPACOA with a list of delegates and criteria that represent their organizational priorities. They may have existing relationships with whom they are interested in working. CAPACOA collaborates in association with the host organization, to develop a delegate list that fulfills the host requirements and ideally reflects the breadth and rich diversity of Canada’s performing arts community. 

The final decision remains with the host organization to extend the individual invitations.

In some cases, participants are able to join delegations by assuming their own costs.

 

Curation of a delegation on behalf of a funding agency

CAPACOA is often engaged by a funder to assemble a delegation for a cultural trade mission as a component of a funder’s cultural diplomacy efforts.

Based on the funder’s requirements, CAPACOA issues a national call for expressions of interest. CAPACOA then convenes an independent national jury of arts and culture professionals, assesses submissions according to the criteria, and selects delegates. Jurors are not eligible to submit an application for the delegation they are adjudicating.

 

CAPACOA initiated delegations

With the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Creative Export program or Global Affairs’ GOA program, CAPACOA assembles delegations to explore emerging international platforms, markets or festivals that represent potential for CAPACOA’s national membership.

CAPACOA convenes an independent national jury of arts and culture professionals, assesses submissions according to the criteria, and selects delegates. Jurors are not eligible to submit an application for the delegation they are adjudicating.

Once delegates are selected, CAPACOA coordinates and manages trip logistics. 

  • To be eligible for inclusion in any CAPACOA delegation, participants must be CAPACOA members in good standing. Applicants must also have the capacity to underwrite their own expenses.