Recorded Webinars
Navigating International Festivals, Performing Arts Markets, Seasons, and Touring Models
Learn how international performing arts are presented globally. This webinar explores the festival circuits, international seasons, and touring models that drive artist mobility and cultural exchange worldwide. Learn from Shoshana Polanco as she breaks down major festival structures (from prestigious events like Edinburgh and Avignon to emerging Latin American models), discusses touring route strategies by geography and language, and examines innovative approaches like climate-conscious programming and community-engaged residencies. Perfect for producers, agents, or touring artists looking to take their work abroad, and anyone seeking to understand the landscape of international cultural exchange and touring.
Download the slide deck: Festivals, Performing Arts Markets and More_Slide Deck.pdf
Support for this session is provided by the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation.
The Fly America Act for Artists Touring Internationally
If you’re an artist traveling internationally with the support of federal funds, your flights aren’t just about cost or convenience, you may need to follow the Fly America Act. Watch this short video for an educational review of this act, what it could mean for your tour, and possible exceptions.
This video is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. This video is not exhaustive. Be sure to check up to date government sources, review the requirements of the Fly America Act yourself, or consult with a professional.
Fly America Act Overview and Exceptions: https://www.gsa.gov/policy-regulations/policy/travel-management-policy-overview/fly-america-act
US Department of State Fly America Act Waiver Checklist: https://www.state.gov/fly-america-act-waiver-checklist
Educational Tips for Complying with the Fly America Act: https://www.midatlanticarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Tips-for-Complying-with-the-Fly-America-Act.pdf
Support for this session is provided by the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation.
Partnering with U.S. Embassies for International Touring Success
Learn about instigating and enhancing international touring through strategic partnerships with US Embassies and the Department of State with this educational webinar. Thomas Cavanagh, Executive Producer / Director, discussing the success of BANDALOOP with a 30-year history of international tours alongside a panel of experienced artists including Monika Herzig and Brent Birckhead. Hear about the “why” and “how” of diplomatic collaboration—from navigating complex funding ecosystems to fostering deep cultural exchange. Whether you are building an international tour from inception or integrating embassy support as an add-on to an existing tour, this discussion will offer a vital roadmap for utilizing diplomatic networks to support your work abroad. Download the Webinar Slide Deck: https://www.midatlanticarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Partnering-with-U.S.-Embassies-Final_reduced.pdf
Support for this session is provided by the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation.
Making the Most of Your Grant: Tax Tips for Artists
Are you an artist that won a grant award, but also received a 1099 from the grant organization? Watch this webinar to learn how receiving a grant as an individual—not under a nonprofit or fiscal sponsor—can impact your taxes, reporting obligations, and eligibility for public benefits. Dr. Elaine Grogan Luttrull of Minerva Financial Arts will break down essential financial concepts, offer potential ways to minimize your tax burden, and answer your questions so you can make informed decisions about applying for grant funding. Lessons shared are designed for USArtists International applicants that do not have non-profit status, but will also be broadly applicable to any individual artist receiving grant funds to support their creative work.
Support for this session is provided by the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation.
THIS INFORMATION IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS INFORMATION SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON FOR TAX, LEGAL, OR ACCOUNTING PURPOSES, OR TO AVOID PENALTIES UNDER SECTION 230. TAX LAWS ARE NUANCED AND SPECIFIC AND LEARNING ABOUT THESE TOPICS IN A GROUP SETTING IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR CONSULTING WITH A PROFESSIONAL WHO KNOWS THE DETAILS OF YOUR UNIQUE SITUATION.
Stories and Strategies for Touring Musicians
Curious about what it takes to tour internationally as a U.S.-based musician? Watch this sessions specifically for early- to mid-career artists looking to take their work abroad. We’ll kick things off with personal stories and lessons learned from Ben Melsky of Ensemble Dal Niente and Delbert Anderson of the Delbert Anderson Quartet. They’ll share how they first started touring internationally, the unexpected challenges they faced, and how performing abroad has shaped their work and visibility at home. Pull up a seat if you are a touring musician looking to take your work abroad.
Support for this session is provided by the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation.
Intro to International Contracts with Katherine McVicker
International performance contracts can often introduce artists to unfamiliar laws, currency issues, tax obligations, or logistical complexities. Join us for an informative webinar with international touring expert Katherine McVicker of Music Works International, alongside Deidre Levasseur and Kailey Zercher, as they break down the essentials of international contracting. This session will be tailored for musicians or music managers, but will include broadly applicable contract tips for entrepreneurial performing artists in other disciplines. The session will cover key contract elements including payment terms, cancellation clauses, visas, insurance, technical riders, and more.
Slides and Example Contract/Rider: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1j96YUMRrJHc2LeoU6FRiLC6LM_w7osY7?usp=sharing
THIS INFORMATION IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS INFORMATION SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON FOR TAX, LEGAL, OR ACCOUNTING PURPOSES, OR TO AVOID PENALTIES UNDER SECTION 230. TAX LAWS ARE NUANCED AND SPECIFIC AND LEARNING ABOUT THESE TOPICS IN A GROUP SETTING IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR CONSULTING WITH A PROFESSIONAL WHO KNOWS THE DETAILS OF YOUR UNIQUE SITUATION.
Katherine McVicker is a well-established professional in the music industry. She has launched the European touring careers of several artists including Norah Jones, developing Jones’ European profile for 7 years. After three decades in the music industry, as an agent developing the touring careers of dozens of internationally renowned Jazz and world artists, Katherine founded boutique agency Music Works International (MWI) in 2014. Today, with agents based in Europe, the United States, and Latin America, MWI books over 600 performances annually worldwide and represents over 40 of the top Jazz, Americana, and world music artists performing today. During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, Katherine developed a course for musicians and those struggling to book shows. The aptly named Anyone Can Book a Gig is a self-managed online course that aims to give artists the no-fluff tools and strategies they need to successfully book shows at any stage of their careers. For more information on this course, you can visit http://anyonecanbookagig.com. Katherine is also active in the international cultural community as an organizer of Arts Connect Africa and Cultural Connections of Latin America (CCLA). Both networks share the mission of connecting cultural stakeholders for professional development and mentorship, creating and supporting educational initiatives, facilitating cultural exchange, and supporting economic development through the cultural arts. Katherine is available for artist consultation, interviews, appearances on the state of the industry, international touring, and artist development.
Stories and Strategies for International Dance Touring
Curious about what it takes to tour internationally as a U.S.-based dance artist? Join this interactive session designed specifically for early- to mid-career dance makers looking to take their work abroad. We’ll kick things off with personal stories and lessons learned from Gaspard Louis of Gaspard&Dancers (NC) and Ariel Grossman of Ariel Rivka Dance (NY), two companies that have recently made international touring a regular part of their work. They’ll share how they first started touring internationally, the unexpected challenges they faced, and how performing internationally has shaped their work and visibility at home. This chat will be followed by a Q&A and then attendees can join breakout rooms to network with other peers that are seeking to tour abroad.
Speakers:
Display caption
Image: Gaspard Louis. Credit: Courtesy of Gaspard Louis.
Gaspard Louis is the Founder and Artistic Director of Gaspard&Dancers (G&D). He received a BFA in Dance from Montclair State University and continued his dance studies on scholarship at Gus Giordano’s in Chicago and Nikolais/Louis Dance Lab in New York. Following his studies, he joined the New York based company called AllNations where he performed traditional dances from many parts of the world for US troupes across the globe. Subsequently, he performed and traveled worldwide with Pilobolus Dance Theater. He collaborated on the choreography of nine major dance works with the company and taught master dance classes both nationally and internationally. Gaspard received an MFA in Dance from the Hollins University/American Dance Festival Program and became the Director of ADF’s year-round creative movement outreach program which provides free dance classes to youth in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill community of North Carolina. His passion for dance has continued to lead him to work with local dancers and musicians. Additionally, Gaspard has been a guest teacher at Duke, Elon, and North Carolina Central Universities.
Display caption
Image: Ariel Rebecca (Rivka) Grossman. Credit: Whitney Browne.
Ariel Rebecca (Rivka) Grossman is a native New Yorker, who trained at LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and the Performing Arts and Joffrey Ballet School under Gerald Arpino. She earned a B.S. in Dance, with honors, and a Minor in Women’s Studies from Skidmore College, and a masters in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College. In 2008, she founded an all-female contemporary company, Ariel Rivka Dance. Ariel Grossman received a 2023 Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Ariel’s work has been presented worldwide, including BAM Fisher, NJPAC, The Place, London, England, Bryant Park, NYLA, Baruch Performing Arts Center, Martha Graham Studio Theater, NYU Tisch, Rutgers University, Roxbury Performing Arts Center, and in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Houston, Cleaveland, Florida, Oklahoma, Detroit, Memphis, Istanbul, TR, Paris, FR, Perigord, FR and Bari, IT, Portugal, France, Rwanda and the UK. Dance Lab NY, Konverjdans, Breathing Art Company, Ballet Vero Beach, and Skidmore College have commissioned choreography by Ariel in addition to Heritage and Harmony, which featured NYCB Principal Dancer Chun Wai Chan. Ariel is a past recipient of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (New) Moves Fellowship, DanceNYC, Dance New Jersey, and Jersey City Dance Artist Relief Fund by Nimbus, with support from the New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund. ARD is an awardee of Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, The Charles & Joan Gross Family Foundation, Jersey City Council of the Arts, and New Jersey State Council on the Arts and more.
U.S. Taxes on Income Earned Abroad
Whether you’re winning prizes or awards, participating in residencies, or earning income from gigs outside the U.S., there are important tax rules to keep in mind. In this session, we’ll cover:
- General tax rules that apply to non-U.S. income
- Tax treaty provisions that may benefit you
- Foreign tax credits and how they reduce your income tax
- Key records to maintain for your taxes
Bring your questions and stories—there will be plenty of time for both.
Display caption
Image: Dr. Elaine Grogan Lutrell. Credit. Courtesy of Dr. Elaine Grogan Lutrell.
Speaker: Dr. Elaine Grogan Luttrull (she/her) is the founder of Minerva Financial Arts, a company devoted to building financial literacy and empowerment in creative individuals through education and coaching. Her workshops and presentations have been featured nationally by a long list of arts funders and advocates.
Elaine has experience in both academic and industry settings, and she is a collector of letters and certifications. She holds a doctorate in instructional design leadership, plus active licenses as a Certified Public Accountant with a Personal Financial Specialist designation. She is also an Accredited Financial Counselor and completed a graduate certificate in Financial Therapy.
Elaine is the author of Arts & Numbers (Agate, B2 2013), she contributes regularly to industry guides and research journals and has served on a variety of non-profit boards. She is based in Dublin, Ohio (Kaskaskia and Hopewell indigenous and cultural lands).