Skip to main content

Ontario Presents Slow Touring Workshop Series

Ontario Presents is very excited to announce the next phase of its Slow Touring Project! This winter, it will host a virtual workshop series titled Transforming the Touring Sector: A Learning Series. The series will break down the basics of Slow Touring and share how you and your organization can transform your work to incorporate the values of sustainability, equity, and empathy in the face of our ‘new normal’.

Transforming the Touring Sector: A Learning Series will be held on Zoom once a month from October to March.
Register here.

Workshop schedule 

Radical Hospitality
Monday, Oct 28 – 10:00 am- Noon PT
How can presenters and their communities be the best hosts for artists and audiences – especially those with marginalized identities? How can visiting artists be good guests and connect with the places they visit?
Consider bringing anyone on your staff who does direct liaising with artists.

Creating an Empathetic Workplace
Monday, Nov 25 – 10:00 am- Noon PT
Many arts organizations are already experimenting with ways to support their staff and artists’ mental and physical well-being, from flexible working schedules to providing resources like food or childcare. We’ll discuss some of these concrete mechanisms to make our industry healthier and prevent burnout.
Great for both artists and leadership of arts organizations.

Arts Centers as Community Spaces
Monday, Jan 20, 2025 – 10:00 am- Noon PT
As community engagement continues to become a bigger part of presenters’ work and a way of increasing our impact, what strategies exist for genuinely opening your doors to a wider range of people and activities?
Consider bringing staff members that deal with audience and community engagement or education, as well as programming.

Sustainability in Touring & Presenting
Tuesday, Feb 18, 2025 – 10:00 am- Noon PT
Climate change is already impacting our sector as weather events lead to cancelled shows and challenges for artists on tour. How can we prepare for that future and lead the way in true sustainability? Hint: it not only involves reducing our footprint, but also understanding our connection to the land we’re on, and listening to Indigenous leadership.
Consider bringing any staff members who deal with the operations of our venue, as well as leadership.

The Value of Rest
Monday, Mar 17, 2025 – 10:00 am- Noon PT
Slow Touring is ultimately about resisting the “urgency” model that pervades our sector, making it unhealthy for most of us and particularly uninclusive for our disabled colleagues. Is it possible to reframe the way work to value rest, flexibility and slowness?
Great for both artists and leadership of arts organizations.