SOUTH OF THE BORDER

While this resource focuses primarily on touring in Canada, this chapter will outline some of the resources available for touring in the U.S.  Touring seems an obvious response to the availability of the large U.S. marketplace, geographical proximity, and, for many of us a common language. However, the legal implications and customs and immigration regulations are extremely complex and challenging for a company wanting to perform in the U.S.  Obtaining expert professional advice or the guidance of a company that has had past practices in touring in the U.S. is essential when considering this marketplace. It is important to start dealing with the formalities at the earliest possible stage in your planning.

Starting Point

Ask yourself these questions before committing to building a tour for the U.S.:

• Do I know the marketplace, how to access it and secure an engagement? The United States is a highly competitive environment.  There are several regions to consider and a vast array of presenters, both large and small.
  
• Do I have enough lead-time and adequate financial resources to develop and carry out marketing strategies and to attend Contact and showcase events? 
  
• Do I have the financial resources to meet costs associated with touring in the U.S.? In order to tour in this region. you must budget for expenses related to working visas, ATA Carnet, passport renewal, withholding taxes and for paying your artists’ fees and per diems in U.S. currency.
  
• Do I have sufficient lead-time to research current regulations for touring in the U.S. and for the processing of government applications for working visas, etc.?

Types of U.S. Presenters / Marketplaces

The American market is highly competitive, and finding the best opportunities for your company will save you time and money. There are several Contact / showcase events in the U.S. Some serve specific regions of the country, or they may be structured according to size of organization. As in Canada, companies can apply to showcase their work at many of these Contact events. In addition, some marketplaces allow unsuccessful applicants for a showcase to give a brief talk on their company. Whether you showcase or simply have a booth, participation in these events is vital to networking with presenters. Meeting presenters in person is still considered the best and most effective booking practice in the U.S.

Be aware that there are “Big Fish” and “Little Fish” presenters. Attending a booking conference is expensive and time-consuming, so you have to find the one that will put you in touch with the largest pool of presenters who are likely to book your work.

In addition to the traditional types of presenters that we know in Canada, many presenters in the U.S. are university-based. This creates a bureaucracy that is unfamiliar to most Canadian artists. The involvement of several departments affects the process of securing the booking, negotiating the contract and processing the payment. As well, the expectations of university-based presenters are quite different from those in Canada, as their funding may be attached to providing community outreach programs. Thus, it is common for American presenters to request that the artist engage in residencies, present workshops and prepare study guides as part of the overall engagement.

Regulations

Research current regulations for Working Visas. Apply to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for exemption from Withholding Taxes. All members of your company will need valid Passports. You will need to make special arrangements for Cargo traveling with you. And you need to be aware of any Union Regulations at American venues.

Read more on the following topics:

• Working Visas 
• Withholding Taxes 
• Passports 
• Cargo 
• Union Regulations

Funding

You may be eligible for Federal and Provincial Funding in Canada to support touring in the U.S. Read more on Federal and Provincial Funding.

Information and Assistance

While on tour in the U.S., the Canadian Embassy and Consulates in most of the large cities are a key source of assistance to Canadians travelers. Check out www.voyage.gc.ca/ for more information.

Read more on Canadian Embassy and Consulates.