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ACTION PLAN

1. Visibility - Beginning September 1, 2020,  two “Artist Spotlights” per week will be launched across multiple social media platforms.  This content will feature artists and creatives showcasing their talents and educating the broader arts community about their experiences of fat-phobia in an effort to start a dialogue about the lack of positive plus-sized representation.  We are seeking submissions from artists who have established careers and those who are under-represented in their field.  This feature will be in two parts.

   • PART 1: A video or image produced by the featured artist which will exhibit their creativity, (ex. They will perform a role they would likely not be cast in because of their body metrics.)  These performances will include songs, monologues, dance, stand up comedy, visual arts, original writing etc.  

   • PART 2: An interview with the performer where we will have an open discussion of their personal experience with fat-phobia in their chosen field.  This interview will aim to educate and inform theatre companies and their audiences of how they can make safer spaces for their artists who live in bigger bodies.

2. These features will be advertised across multiple platforms including (but not limited to) Youtube, Instagram, Tik Tok and Facebook. We will use targeted direct marketing to ensure it is seen by the broader arts community, including producers and theatre companies and also their respective audiences. 

3. There will be a well-maintained website which will act as a categorized resource for theatre producers to draw from when seeking out plus-sized talent and creatives. This resource will include the performance video or portfolio, a biography and contact information for booking requests.  In addition, it will include information for artists about subsided healthcare and mental health/eating disorder resources, which can be accessed anonymously. 

4. A quarterly e-newsletter will be sent to theatre companies across Canada to ensure that this project has visibility. It will be available for public subscribers as well.

 

FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES

Where is this money going?  First and foremost, the goal is to compensate these performers for their talent and sharing their stories.  Secondly, a portion of the funds raised will be used to pay for direct marketing across social media platforms targeting theatre producers, theatre companies and their audiences in an effort to promote these artists and start a grassroots movement towards a more inclusive arts community.

 

OUR END GOAL

Through fundraising and arts grants we aim to provide a residency for plus-sized artists to create content highlighting their experiences and create original work that puts bigger bodies centre stage.  We would like to produce fat stories by fat people without making our experience the punchline (as is often seen in the media that currently exists).  We aim to elevate the voices of body positive writers, creatives and performers.

 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES 

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT: AUGUST 23, 2020 

INTERVIEW DATES: BEGINNING AUGUST 24 (SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF ARTISTS)

PROJECT LAUNCH: SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 

 

COMPENSATION STRUCTURE:  As this is a grassroots organization, the selected artists will be paid a small honourarium for their appearance, to be compensated retroactively when funds become available via fundraising or monetization on social media platforms.  The artists will also receive first consideration for our long-term goal of producing original content.  To compensate artists in the short-term, we will work to ensure that selected artists are well promoted across all platforms and in our newsletters.

 

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants are asked to submit either a video submission or a letter of intention (if submitting as a writer, visual artist or theatre artisan) demonstrating their excellence in a role that they would not necessarily be considered for based on their current body size, or another expression of their talents that they feel best showcases them.  These must be submitted in a landscape video format (songs, monologues, dance, etc.), images of visual art or sample of writing that can be displayed on social media.  Creativity is encouraged with submissions as it is an opportunity to best showcase yourself as an artist.  Applicants might be asked to make adjustments to their submission to make this a cohesive project and will have input on the final edit of the interview portion. If performing material that is not original, please include the title of the work and any relevant copyright information.

 

Please also include a biography (250 words max.) and a short cover letter stating why this project resonates with you or an experience of fat-phobia you may have had in your chosen discipline. As this will be a collaborative project, if required, we are happy to connect artists with industry professionals to assist with their submission. As this is a sensitive subject for many artists, we encourage artists to reach out before submitting for clarification of the requests or for resources and assistance.

 

EveryBODY on Stage candidates are adults (18+)  selected from across Canada in all areas of the arts (including but not limited to actors, dancers, musicians, directors, music directors, choreographers, stage managers, and visual artists.)  These opportunities are open to both Union and non-union members and as this is a body-positive space there are no physical requirements of applicants.  We would like to be sure to include all body types, so applicants are not required to currently live in a large body. We are actively seeking submissions from artists of all backgrounds, abilities, and ethnicities as we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion within this selection process. We especially encourage folks who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of colour, LGBTQIA2S+.  Please indicate if you self-identify as belonging to any of these priority groups. 

 

Please ensure that your submission package is received no later than August 23, 2020 at info@everybodyonstage.com with the subject line “ (Discipline) Submission - Your name - Home City.” 

(ex. ACTOR SUBMISSION - ALEX SMITH - TORONTO). 

 

DONATIONS TO FUND THIS PROJECT: 

gofundme/whatever