Festival Levels of Support

Artists or groups are encouraged to apply to USAAF within one of the following three levels of support: Member Event, Showcase Event, and Focus Event. Featured Events and the annual visual arts exhibition are proactively selected through internal APICC processes.

Member Event:

For artists, groups, or organizations who primarily (or only) need promotional assistance. Ideal for mid-career or established artists and organizations.

Member Participant benefits:

Your event will be featured in the USAAF printed calendar (sent to over 4,000 people in the Bay Area) and online calendar.
Receive APICC publicity support in the form of e-newsletter marketing, a general festival press release, event announcement posts, and social media marketing via APICC’s channels.
Your program will be featured on APICC’s website, including image, program description, link to ticketing and link to artist website.
Access to professional development workshops that cover a range of topics such as Budget/Budget Tracking, Integrated Marketing, Taxes for Artists, Grant Writing, Curating, and more.
Access to artist networking opportunities and special APICC programs.

Please Note: Participants in the Member category may present anywhere in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Artists applying for this level ideally would have previously participated in USAAF as lead producing artist(s). There are no artists fees, venue rental, or any kind of monetary support associated with this level.

Showcase Event:

Ideal for first-time producing artists who would like to gain and practice skills in programming an evening length event centering the work of the lead producing artist(s). The event will showcase artists curated from an open call designed by the lead producing artist within their vision/theme/concept. APICC will provide hands-on consultation and training to lead producing artists in the process of planning and programming their event.

Example events:

A concert headlined by lead producing artist, featuring short sets by 3 other local bands.
A literary salon celebrating the book release of a lead producing artist, with readings by 4 other writers.
An exhibition featuring a series of 12 new photographs by a lead artist collaborative or production group, and featuring 2-4 pieces by 2 visual artists curated within the theme of the lead artist/producer’s work.
A film screening of a new short documentary by the lead producing artist, with 3 additional film shorts curated within the theme of the lead artist’s work.

Showcase Participant benefits:

Member benefits, plus...
$1000 in lead producing artist fees
$2000 in artists fees (Up to $500 for each showcase artist, not to be used as producing artist fees)
$850 in venue rental fees and assistance with booking one of the San Francisco Cultural Centers (SOMArts Cultural Center, African American Art & Culture Complex, or Bayview Opera House) as chosen with the Artistic Director.
$500 for event technical staff such as lighting technician or stage manager.
$250 for video/photo documentation of proposed event/program. (Upon request, APICC will also assist in hiring videographer and/or photographers.)
APICC will provide box office support for ticketed events

Please Note: Participants in the Showcase category must present their event at an official San Francisco Cultural Center (e.g. SOMArts Cultural Center, African American Art & Culture Complex, or Bayview Opera House.) Participants must also plan to do an open call for artists, performers, etc. in December/January. APICC will assist with booking the venue, the call for artists, and producing the program.

Focus Event:

Ideal for experienced producing artists, groups, and organizations who want to produce an evening length event featuring the work of an individual or group/collective of artists.

Example events:

An event featuring the work of a single artist or performer.
A literary salon hosted by a collective of writers, featuring their work.
A dance performance presented by a choreographer with a new piece featuring a 4 person ensemble.
An evening stand up show featuring three comedians
A visual arts exhibition by a collective creating a full gallery show of their collaborative work.

Focus Participant benefits:

Member benefits, plus...
$1800 in artists fees.
$850 in venue rental fees.
$500 for event technical staff such as lighting technician or stage manager.
$250 for video/photo documentation of proposed event/program. (Upon request, APICC will also assist in hiring videographer and/or photographers.)
APICC will provide box office support for ticketed events

Please Note: Participants in the Focus category must present their event in the City and County of San Francisco. Artists applying for this level ideally would have previously participated in USAAF as lead producing artist(s).

**Money received from APICC can only be used to reimburse artistic programming fees.**

ELIGIBILITY

In order to be eligible to participate in USAAF:

Pacific Islander and/or Asian American artists must be centralized within the artistic creation process, and constitute a majority of participating artists.
Lead producing artist(s) must be based in the Bay Area (if outside Bay Area, contact Artistic Director Melanie Elvena to assess participation).
Lead producing artist(s) must be over 18, but artists participating in the program can be all ages.
Lead producing artist(s) must demonstrate the ability to produce their own event (i.e., including managing and executing all production, creative, technical, promotional, etc. responsibilities).
Events must occur in May through mid-June, 2020.
Agree to attend APICC’s professional development workshops, e.g. Cultural Preservation/Archiving, Budget/Budget Tracking, Integrated Marketing, Taxes for Artists, Grant Writing, Curatorial Practices, Public Relations (it is highly recommended that you attend all workshops).
Be able to meet all marketing and artistic deadlines.
Be a legal resident of the United States (if you are not a legal US resident, contact Artistic Director Melanie Elvena to assess participation).
Artists applying as a Member Event or Focus Event ideally would have previously participated in USAAF as lead producing artist(s).

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