Artist Showcase & Conference
An Opportunity for Touring, Booking, and Meaningful Connection
October 16-18, 2026 in Helena, Montana
The MPAC Artist Showcase & Conference is an annual gathering designed to support performing arts touring and presenting in Montana. Each October, presenters, artists, and artist agents come together to build relationships, explore touring opportunities, and plan future seasons in a way that reflects Montana’s unique geography, scale, and communities.
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The conference is a cornerstone of MPAC’s work, providing a focused, in-person space for practical conversation, collaboration, and shared problem-solving. While it is an important moment on the calendar, it is also part of a larger, year-round ecosystem of connection and support.
2026 Conference Details
Juried Showcase
Application fee: $50.00 general, $30.00 MT-based artists
Applications open: February 1, 2026
Early-bird deadline: March 15, 2026 (Save $10.00!)
Final deadline: April 24, 2026
Selection notification: Late May
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Registration
Registration opens: April 1, 2026
Early-bird registration deadline: August 15, 2026
Registration closes: September 21, 2026
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Conference
Event Dates: October 16-18, 2026
Click here for the schedule.
Location: Helena Civic Center, 340 Neill Ave, Helena, MT 59601
Registration is open to current MPAC members. Click here for membership information.
Meeting Montana’s Unique Touring and Presenting Needs
Touring and presenting in Montana looks different than it does in larger or more densely populated regions. Long distances, small markets, volunteer-led organizations, and limited budgets all require thoughtful coordination.
The MPAC Artist Showcase & Conference exists to meet these realities head-on. By bringing the field together in one place, the conference helps:
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Make touring in Montana more efficient and sustainable for artists
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Support presenters in booking high-quality performances within their means
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Create shared understanding between presenters, artists, and agents
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Strengthen access to live performance in communities across the state
The conference is intentionally designed to prioritize relationship-building and collaboration over transactional booking.
Beyond the Conference
The impact of the Artist Showcase & Conference extends well beyond the event itself. Following the conference, presenters continue block-booking conversations and planning for upcoming seasons, often coordinating tours that make multiple performances possible across the state.
This post-conference work is supported through MPAC’s member portal, MPAC-hosted zoom meetings, and ongoing communication, helping ensure that ideas and connections formed during the conference translate into real opportunities for artists and communities.
Part of a Larger Touring Ecosystem
MPAC schedules its annual conference with awareness of the broader national and international performing arts booking calendar. Dates are selected to complement, rather than compete with, other major conferences, recognizing that artists and agents often participate in multiple convenings throughout the year.
The conference location rotates among Montana communities, reflecting MPAC’s statewide reach and commitment to sharing visibility and economic impact across regions. In 2026, the Artist Showcase & Conference will be held in Helena, Montana, marking the first time in decades the event has returned to the state capital.