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The conference will consist of informational sessions about touring in Atlantic Canada and New England. Invited speakers will discuss visa issues and cultural policy on both sides of the border. There will be artist showcases and networking opportunities for artists and presenting organizations. The schedule is posted at the bottom of this page.

The OVER THE EDGE presenters conference is designed to accomplish three objectives:

• Create the time and space for directors of presenting organizations to meet, build partnerships and share information about booking practices and cross border exchanges.

• Provide a platform to bring arts and culture into business and trade conversations which in turn will allow cultural organizations to work with the various private organizations and governmental entities who are devoted to improving cross-border relations.

• Expand the national conversation involving artist work visas and artist travel. There are several national organizations interested in supporting legislation to reform the artist work visa process, as well as cabinet level discussions on the federal level for such improvements.

Discounted room rates for conference attendees can be found at the Hilton Garden Inn (207-262-0099). The discount code is 'APC' (Atlantic Presenters Conference). Please reserve your room by July 30.

The conference is collaboration between the Atlantic Presenters Association, the Collins Center for the Arts, the Maine Arts Commission and the New England Foundation for the Arts. These organizations are working together to find solutions and create initiatives that will improve cross border cultural exchanges for the arts.

The Atlantic Presenters Association (APA) - The regional arts presenter’s organization for the four Atlantic Provinces: Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. It is a leader in the presentation of the performing arts and promotes the development of performing arts touring in the Atlantic region. The APA’s mission is to enable our members to enhance, promote, and facilitate diverse, quality live performances, and to provide an exchange of best practices and ideas.

Collins Center for the Arts - A premier arts destination of Maine. Part of the University of Maine at Orono campus and home of the Hutchins Concert Hall and the Hudson Museum. This multi-use space can accommodate 1,435 people and hosts a wide variety of events, presenting classical and contemporary music, dance, theater, comedy, ceremonies, and lectures.

The Maine Arts Commission - The arts agency for the state of Maine, dedicated to expanding the state's cultural resources encouraging freedom of artistic expression for the well being of the arts.

New England Foundation for the Arts - NEFA’s mission is to creatively support the movement of people, ideas, and resources in the arts within New England and beyond, make vital connections between artists and communities, and build the strength, knowledge, and leadership of the region's creative sector. Each program and project that is brought to life at NEFA is created with the underlying goal of building a stronger and more dynamic infrastructure for the arts.

Artist visa issues. Building formal and informal networks to encourage cultural exchange is one thing, getting artists across the border is another. A central issue relating to cultural exchange is the difficulties around navigating the visa process. Issues relating to money, time and freedom can make things difficult for artists wishing to perform in another country. The visa process can be expensive, which often makes it economically problematic. A visa approval process can be lengthy, which creates difficulties in planning and booking tours. When an artist visa gets approved it is for specific activity(s), there is no flexibility within it to capitalize on spontaneous opportunities.

There are currently several initiatives designed to reform the artist visa process and several organizations championing the cause. The OVER THE EDGE presenters conference is looking to lend support to intelligent visa reform and encourage international cultural exchanges of all kinds.

A petition for improvements to cross border cultural exchanges is being sponsored by performer, teacher and businessman Ed Pearlman. It will be presented to Maines members of Congress to bring attention to this issue. To find out more you can visit http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/cefta/.

Additional Resources

Artists from Abroad - A national organization dedicated to improving the process of obtaining nonimmigrant visas and the better understanding of tax regulations to presenting artists from abroad.
Association of Performing Arts Presenters - Is a national service and advocacy organization with nearly 2,000 members worldwide dedicated to bringing artists and audiences together.
Americans for the Arts - The nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. They have an Issue Brief about improving the visa process.
National Association of State Arts Agencies - One of NASAA's primary roles is to be an information hub for and about state arts agencies. NASAA monitors state arts agency trends and documents the scope and impact of state arts agency activities. They have an Issue Brief about the issue.

Arts Presenters of Northern New England (APNNE) - Established in 1978 to facilitate cooperation, block booking and resource sharing among rural presenters of the performing arts in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

New England Presenters - A non-profit, regional consortium serving its membership by facilitating block booking of tours by performing artists that reduce fees to individual presenters; commissioning new works in dance, music and mixed art forms that tour the New England region.

Portland Ovations - Since 1931, Portland Ovations has brought a dynamic season of exceptional performing artists to Portland, Maine, including classical music, jazz, opera, dance, theater, and Broadway.

Maine International Trade Center- Maine's one-stop shop for international business information and assistance, and for up-to-date news about changing world markets.