Soon, Winkler will play host to an event that will attract creative individuals of all types from across the province and even the country — over 150 of them.
The Manitoba Showcase 2025 is coming to the Pembina Valley from September 18-21.
Manitoba’s largest arts-based conference
Winkler Arts + Culture (WA+C) Executive Director Jered Hildebrand said the event is the province’s most extensive arts conference.
“It's a wonderful place for arts promoters such as myself, artists, performing artists, ... or agents that manage different acts,” he said.
“There's quite a variety, and [the conference] does a very good job of connecting with all the major art mediums and everyone involved with them to make sure there's something there for [everyone].”
Supporting artistry and small business
Hildebrand said that he attended last year’s conference in Brandon and was not disappointed.
In addition to art displays, the event also featured panels and workshops on topics such as securing funding for artists and arts organizations, including WA+C, which was particularly beneficial to Hildebrand.
“For me, it was great. There was a panel of businesses that were willing to tell me exactly how to sell sponsorship to them, but there are other things for artists [as well],” he said.
This year’s conference includes sessions on amplifying arts in libraries, legal advice for contracts and intellectual property, accessing funding, various networking opportunities, and more.
For the full schedule, click here.
Arts across Winkler
This is the second time that Winkler will host the Manitoba Showcase. It also came to the Pembina Valley in 2010.
Hildebrand said that connected events will take place at various places in the community, including Winkler Arts + Culture.
“We're not hosting everything at the gallery, but certainly the opening reception and there are a few networking events that will happen there, as well as a couple of exhibits that will be on display,” he says.
“The majority of the conference happens at the Days Inn, and then I believe the performing artists have some workshops that are being held in the Modern Friendship Centre, and the other location, of course, is [the P.W. Enns Centennial Concert Hall] for the showcases themselves.”
Related stories:
- Pembina Hills Arts Council unveils creative fall lineup of classes and events
- WA+C Welcomes fall with new programs and exhibits
The showcases, which feature three performances in two days on September 19th and 20th, will have a variety of components.
“You can come and listen to some amazing acts from across Canada, obviously with a special emphasis on Manitoba artists,” he said. “There's a variety.”
Hildebrand said that even if one doesn’t purchase a ticket for the conference, the showcases have separate tickets available at the P.W. Enns Centennial Concert Hall.
Each performance is $10.
Who is coming to Winkler?
Performers include Artists in Motion, an Ontario multidisciplinary, Black-led, Black-focused, and Black-serving dance company founded in 2008, the Juno-nominated duo Burnstick from Manitoba, and Duo Cordelia, a violinist-pianist group from Quebec, among others.
The eclectic mix of performers represents the spirit of the event.
“Showcase is something that is Canada-wide, but each province does their own,” said Hildebrand. “The local one always wants ... to emphasize the local talent that we have here, but the idea is that, of course, there are bands and other acts that want to tour across the country, so this is a great way for them just to test the waters, see what their response is here.”
Hildebrand added that promoters also attend the performances to scope out talent that the community responds to.
“Then later on in the year, we discuss as a group possible tour bookings between all of us to organize that and make it worth [performers’] while to come all the way out [again],” he said.
“It's a win-win for everyone.”
‘A well-oiled machine’
The executive director said that if anyone is interested in volunteering for the Manitoba Showcase, there are opportunities available.
In the end, the 4-day event is sure to enrich the community with diverse talents.
“The Manitoba Arts Network [is] just amazing at coordinating everything. They've done this for quite a while, so they've got a well-oiled machine,” said Hildebrand.
With files from Alexander Peters