About VNS
Ontario Presents will be hosting the 3rd annual free Virtual Networking Series (VNS) this Fall that provides opportunities for performing arts professionals (presenters, artist/collectives, and agents/managers) to engage, gather online, and find programming for upcoming seasons through agent pitches, artist showcases, and other networking opportunities.
Artist Showcases (October 7 — 9, 2025)
Artist Showcases (online, virtual) provide an occasion for artists/collectives from all regions of Canada and the US to have their work viewed. Forty (40) performing artists have been chosen by a jury to showcase their performances online to a wide range of Ontario-based venue programmers. Each showcase will feature 5-minute pre-recorded video presentations from artists that span the genres of theatre, dance, music, circus, young audience, and variety.
View the Digital Handout (link coming soon)
This handout includes an artist line-up for each showcase date and more information.
Register Here (link coming soon)
The deadline to register is October 3, 2025.
Agent Pitches (September 15 — 26, 2025)
Agent Pitch sessions are an opportunity for agents to pitch works suitable to Ontario Presents’ various members and partner presenting networks. Agents customize their pitches to reflect the individual networks’ venue capabilities, audience, and community requirements.
Questions and Support
If you have questions about the registration process, to be connected with an artist/collective, agent and/or presenter, or require accessibility accommodations, contact Noor Khan at noor [at] ontariopresents.ca (noor[at]ontariopresents[dot]ca) and cc info [at] ontariopresents.ca (info[at]ontariopresents[dot]ca).
VNS Showcase Archive
Click to view past VNS Showcases.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage, The Ontario Arts Council, and the Canada Council for the Arts.
FAQs
- How does the jury make their decisions on who is selected to participate in the VNS Showcase?
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Juries rank applicants in four categories; 1) artistic excellence, 2) audience impact, 3) feasibility, as well as 4) equity & diversity. Strong videos and clear tech riders help communicate your project’s potential. Educational materials are encouraged, especially for the Young Audience category.
- Are there any resources for artist/collectives and agents while they’re creating their VNS showcase assets?
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The VNS Resources for artist/collectives folder includes pitch guides, past digital handouts and artist/collective videos. You are required to review these before submitting your VNS assets. Our team is here if you have questions or need support with your video or materials!
- Do artist/collectives and agents/managers have to be present during the showcase presentations?
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While we encourage artist/collectives and agents to attend to interact with presenters (e.g. by answering questions in the chat) and to support other artists, online presence is not mandatory for artist/collectives or agents.
- How long is each showcase presentation?
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40 artist/collectives are selected to showcase. Each selected artist/collectives prepare a 5-minute pitch video. These videos are professionally curated into 3 separate presentations (two multidisciplinary at 90 minutes and one young audience at 60 minutes) to share virtually on October 7, 8, 9, 2025.
- Can presenters register for multiple days?
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Presenters are encouraged to register for as many showcases as possible since each day will feature a different group of artists.
- Will showcase presentations be available online after the virtual show dates?
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Recordings will be available for on-demand viewing on the VNS Archive (link coming soon) webpage after the event.
- Will there be an opportunity for presenters, artist/collectives and agents/managers to engage?
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Artists, presenters, agents/managers can engage via the Zoom Chat function during each session. Ontario Presents will facilitate further connections after the showcases in the form of scheduled one-on-one meetings. The annual Spring Retreat is another in-person gathering for engagement.
- I’m a presenter, agent/manager or artist, and I’ve attended the showcase—now what?
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The VNS Digital Handout (link coming soon) includes contact information and showcase summaries for each artist/collective. For more information on how to connect, please visit the OP Resources webpage (under construction from now until October).