ABOUT PAD

PAD is made up of two initiatives: PAD Showcase, and PADX.

PAD Showcase provides virtual international showcase opportunities for U.S.-based performing artists who are ready to tour internationally. Artists/ensembles — who are selected for PAD Showcase via an open call for applications and subsequent panel review process — receive support from an expert video production team to create professionally produced live performance videos which are promoted and showcased to international markets via a virtual platform.

PADX focuses on expanding those international markets by identifying and forging new international partnerships. Funded by an International Trade Administration (ITA) Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) grant, PADX aims to develop export opportunities for U.S. performing artists, focusing on identifying production and touring opportunities in target markets of Australia, Colombia, and Germany — and beyond.

PAD is managed by WAA on behalf of the U.S. Regional Arts Organizations (RAOs).

PAD HISTORY

The Performing Arts Discovery (PAD) program was launched in 2015 by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to promote U.S. performing artists to international programmers, festival directors, and venue managers, thereby creating opportunities for American artists to perform overseas.

While the purpose of the program — introducing international presenters to U.S. performing artists and companies — has not changed, previous cycles of the PAD program were structured differently.

In pre-pandemic years, 2015 - 2019, PAD brought international programmers, festival directors, and venue managers to the Arts Midwest, Performing Arts Exchange, and Western Arts Alliance conferences to see the work of U.S. artists.

In 2021, to ensure the program’s continuation during COVID-19 and the limits on international travel, the structure of the program shifted to its current format, which invites artists/ensembles to apply to PAD and provides those selected with international virtual showcase opportunities.

In 2022, WAA received a $300,000 grant award from the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration’s (ITA) Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) to expand PAD’s reach into new target markets, focusing on Australia, Germany, and Colombia — countries with a demand for international work. As part of the ITA’s MDCP, PAD will once again seek to strengthen relationships and connections through in-person participation in market events.