Whether it is ballet, a theatrical show, or any of its other forms, performing arts is significant not just for individuals but also for society.
Performing arts teach us how to express ourselves. One of the core ingredients of what makes us human is our desire to express our beliefs, culture, and emotions. This desire for expression teaches us so much about ourselves. We can also utilize the performing arts to understand the workings of society and educate ourselves about the world we live in.
Furthermore, performing arts also attract tourism and help the economy grow.
Today, an organization provides support and development for the performing arts industry, the Association of Performing Arts Professionals or APAP. We will learn more about them here.
What Is The Association Of Performing Arts Professionals?
APAP is one of the biggest international conferences that started in the 1950s, bringing together artists and presenters from the United States and around the world.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., this organization runs various programs to help professionals in the performing arts industry.
For instance, resource programs have been created to connect and network all their members and provide them with the information they need, and funding programs to financially support and sustain the works and projects of these members.
APAP is known chiefly for the APAP Conference that takes place every January. It has been running for 60 years all over New York City. Over five intense days, this Conference gathers presenters and artists, as well as many other professionals in the industry, to witness showcases, debates, talks, and forums so they can share information, meet, and work on their next seasons and tours.
What Is It For Members Of APAP?
APAP is open to those who want to become a member of this amazing organization. APAP members will be given access to exclusive benefits that will connect you with industry experts and peers, keeping you informed and helping you succeed.
The organization will connect you to peers via ongoing networking and affinity groups, online tools, and monthly members-only check-ins.
It also can help you grow by providing funding opportunities and professional development, as well as the APAP Live Performance Calendar and the APAP Job Bank.
They will also keep you informed about their programs and services through their bi-weekly membership newsletter, timely advocacy alerts, and urgent field updates, among many others.
Plus, becoming a member at APAP gives you access to the community of performing arts professionals through the annual Conference and year-round opportunities.
Once you become a member, you will join the 1,600 organizational and individual members at APAP which has also been serving over 5,000 performing arts professionals every year today.
Some Of The Programs At APAP
Here are some of the programs at APAP.
1. APAP|NYC
The association organizes APAP|NYC, a yearly members-only conference in New York City every January.
During the 60th anniversary of the Conference in 2017, there were over 1,000 artist showcase performances featured, and more than 3,680 arts professionals from all 50 states and 36 countries attended.
APAP|NYC also showcases a wide range of performing arts events and festivals at the Big Apple, and in the upcoming edition, it is expected that more surprises and treats will be coming your way.
2. Professional Development
Through these professional development programs and resources, APAP is able to help artists, agents, managers, presenters, and producers to gain the knowledge, strategies, and skills they need to make the arts a vibrant, valuable, and sustainable part of daily life.
The organization provides year-round resources for professional development and networking, as well as access to the membership database, monthly webinars, and fellowship programs.
The annual Conference in New York City also champions personal development, as there are artist pitch sessions, pre-conference seminars, individual consultations, and plenary events with featured guest speakers.
3. Leadership And Career Advancement Programs
Since 2002 until today, APAP has been conducting the Emerging Leadership Institute, an annual two-day intensive seminar for the cohort of 20 to 30 emerging leaders at APAP|NYC.
And since 2015, it also holds the Leadership Fellows Program, a 20-month-long program designed for mid-career professionals.
Since 2012, APAP has also been holding a monthly professional development webinar series for arts professionals and free for all APAP members. These online seminars present discussions led by experts, innovators, and creative leaders in the arts industry.
There is also the Young Performers Career Advanced which has been taking place at APAP|NYC since 1996. It is a series of intensive seminars to support classical musicians in their careers’ formative stages by offering opportunities to meet and work with established agents, presenters, managers, and artists.
In the past, from 2009 to 2013, two cohorts of 10 to 15 mid-career programs researched the mission and vision and the “Connecting to Your Community.” They produced the online interactive toolkit, still part of APAP’s leadership program.
4. Grant Programs
Aside from the programs you learned about, APAP offers various grant programs exclusively for its members to provide financial support, recognizing outstanding and innovative practices.
Building Bridges is part of these grant programs, which has been happening since 2013. This is a program that supports campus-based presenters interested in building interdisciplinary cross-campus and community collaborations that expand knowledge and the understanding of Muslim societies.
Since 2008, a program called the Cultural Exchange Fund has assisted United States-based presenting professionals and artists in forging partnerships and collaborations with global colleagues to experience the arts from around the world in its cultural context.
Secure Membership APAP Login
Now is the time to become an APAP member, especially since the APAP|NYC+ 2023 registration is open and waiting for new members to join. Those who sign up between August 1st to October 26th, 2022, can get a discount on the conference registration.
You can join as a new member via their website or by filling out the new membership application form and sending this form via email.
Logging in as a member at APAP is secure. Read all of APAP’s member types and categories to ensure you buy a membership that suits your needs and those of your organization. You must also agree to the Membership Terms of Agreement. For inquiries, you may email APAP at info@apap365.org.
Become A Member Today
Suppose you are passionate about the performing arts, a performing arts professional, involved in the industry, or you want to show your support for this field. In that case, we recommend that you become a member of APAP. You can get several membership benefits and perks, and APAP offers a very secure login. They are waiting for you.
As they say at APAP, “The arts are essential. Arts workers are essential.”
Cheers to the performing arts industry!
