PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPING ARTISTS
The Developing Artist Program (formerly known as the FMO Youth Program) offers a unique career development opportunity for emerging artists aged 18-25. Participants receive one-on-one mentorship from established artists, collaborate with peers, and enhance their industry knowledge and technical skills through workshops and master classes. They also become part of a welcoming community at Canada’s largest annual folk music industry gathering. Selected artists will have the chance to showcase their talents at the Folk Music Ontario Conference, happening each year.
Participants are chosen by external jurors based on interest, ability, and experience.
Past mentors include AHI, Kaia Kater, Quique Escamilla, YAO, Dayna Manning, Lynn Miles, Julian Taylor, Cécile Doo-Kingué, Leonard Sumner, Graydon James, The Good Lovelies, Bob Wiseman, and Brian Kobayakawa.
Notable alumni include Annie Sumi, John Muirhead, Missy Bauman, Tim Jackson, Joëlle Villeneuve, Campbell Woods, Housewife (formerly Moscow Apartment), Kaia Kater, Ariana Gillis, The Lifers, Nabi Loney (Ellevator), and Benjamin Dakota Rogers.
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2024 PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
Ben Vallée
Montréal, Quebec
Formerly Bule, singer-songwriter/pedal steel guitarist Ben Vallée has been a part of Montréal's limited underground roots music scene for nearly a decade. His earnest and honest songwriting spells life and its heartaches beneath the blanket of traditional country and western music.
2023 DEVELOPING ARTISTS PROGRAM
2022 PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
Mentors: Dayna Manning, Sophie Lukacs, Mikhail Laxton, Madeleine Roger
Artists: Emma Lamontagne, Zack Elliott, Marianne Keuleman, Lauryn Macfarlane, Bella Francis, Sofia Duhaime, George Crotty & Oisin Hannigan, Leah Holtom
Additional Information
How It Works
The Developing Artist (DAP) program features online networking, one-on-one mentorship, and learning sessions that take place over the months prior and after the FMO conference, with opportunities for one-on-one mentoring, workshops, showcasing, and further in-person networking at the conference. The program is open to residents of Canada between ages 18* and 25. *If you are under age 18 by the conference dates, you are welcome to apply for the program, however, if you are chosen, you will be required to have a parent/guardian accompany you to the conference as a registered delegate. Selected participants will be offered a complimentary registration to the FMO Conference, and will receive an honorarium for their participation. During the application process, eligible applicants will be able to apply for the Taylor Mitchell Bursary, which awards a $500 Bursary to a selected applicant.
Pre-Conference
In the weeks leading up to the conference, DAP participants will take part in workshops via Zoom, meeting other artists and learning directly from industry experts. These sessions will train artists in topics such as marketing, licensing, preparing a release, touring/shows and more. At least one session will be dedicated to Conference 101: networking, showcasing, and making the most of the event. It is required that participants attend both the pre-conference online activities as well as the in-person conference.
Conference
All participants in the Developing Artist Program will be invited to showcase at the Folk Music Ontario Conference. Using the skills learned in the pre-conference sessions, participants take part in all conference activities, as well as program-specific sessions such as: - Interacting in one-on-one meetings with assigned mentors participating in professional development activities - Video collaboration with mentor and other participants - DAP Song Circle / Jam Session - Performance Coaching / Developing a showcase performance - Performing a showcase - Networking events with industry professionals
FESTIVALS RETREAT
The Festivals' Retreat is a one-of-a-kind event, bringing together the executive, governance, management, and administration teams of folk festivals. Experts lead discussions on key topics related to festival execution, with a strong focus on peer-to-peer learning, networking, and sharing experiences.
All Folk Canada Festival Members are invited to join the Festivals' Retreat, taking place Spring 2025.
For more information about the 2025 Festivals' Retreat, please contact Executive Director Rosalyn Dennett.
Topics Covered at Previous Festivals Retreats
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Show Stoppers - Emergency Safety & Planning
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Embedding Diversity and Equity both Onstage & Backstage
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Municipal, Provincial, and Federal Opportunities for Grant Funding
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The Price is Right: Ticketing and Tiers / Funding & Fundraising Opportunities for Free Festivals
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Operational and Administrative Tools & Resources
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Exploring Board Governance Models
How Sessions are Run
The Festivals' Retreat is a professional development event for knowledge holders and seekers within the Canadian music festival industry. It offers an opportunity to share expertise and discuss the challenges and successes of managing festivals.
Each day features learning sessions tailored to the attendees' interests and skill sets. These sessions, whether peer-led or industry-led, spark conversations and inspire new ideas in a collaborative learning environment.
After each presentation, participants break into smaller groups for in-depth discussions and problem-solving exercises. These interactive sessions allow for a deeper understanding of specific issues, an opportunity to ask questions, and the exchange of solutions to common challenges.
At the retreat’s conclusion, Folk Canada staff prepare a summary document capturing key discussions, resources, and ideas generated. This document serves as both a reminder of the experience and a resource for continued learning and exploration.
DEVELOPING PRESENTERS
The DPP stream empowers individuals to hone their skills as festival organizers and presenters through a combination of training, mentorship, and hands-on learning.
The DPP stream is rooted in the Festivals' Retreat, where professionals engaged in the administration, management, execution, and governance of festivals gather to learn from and share with each other, and engage in networking activities designed to strengthen connections and encourage collaboration. The cohort gathers in advance of the Retreat for virtual sessions to learn about, from and with each other. A pre-Retreat preparatory session is an essential way that participants can take full advantage of the opportunity to connect with festival producers and create relationships that propel careers.
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Participants are paired with mentors, providing personalized guidance, feedback, and support throughout their journey. Mentors help participants refine their skills and overcome any challenges they may encounter in organizing festivals and events through regular consultations.
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Mentors are selected with their events in mind, as participants attend and learn through immersive job-shadowing experiences, gaining firsthand insights into the intricacies of event planning, execution, and management.
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The program culminates with an invitation to the Conference as part of the Presenters Program, providing a platform to discover new artists, and build networks, in addition to potential engagements at the Conference like presenting showcases.
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Pilot-edition mentors are from Calgary Folk Festival, Cultivate Festival, Hillside Festival, Ottawa Bluesfest/CityFolk, and Summerfolk.
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TAYLOR MITCHELL BURSARY
The Taylor Mitchell Bursary was established in 2010 by Emily Mitchell, in memory of her daughter, Canadian songwriter Taylor Mitchell. The bursary is to support one participant in the Performer Stream of the Developing Artist Program who might otherwise be prevented from taking part.
The bursary recipient receives up to $500 towards costs associated with attending the FMO conference and participating in the Performer Stream of the Developing Artist Program.
While the bursary will be dispersed prior to the conference to help offset costs, the award will be presented to the recipient live during the Ontario Folk Music Awards.
Eligibility Requirements
Must be nominated for the bursary by a teacher/community member/mentor, in light of the goals of the bursary program.
Must be selected as a participant of the Performer Stream of the Developing Artist Program. Participants will be given the option to apply for the bursary in their application.
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