"It's a jungle out there! For eighteen years SWPAP has helped me navigate quicksand, crocodiles and the occasional tiger lying in wait. It is where I turn for information, advice and solace. The friends and colleagues I have met in SWPAP have made such a difference. It is both a network and a net (depending upon whether you find yourself climbing or falling) and I can't imagine this business without it. "
—Anne Black
Executive Director
MSC OPAS
Texas A&M University

About SWPAP

Southwest Performing Arts Presenters (SWPAP) is a consortium of presenting organizations in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Member organizations range from very small presenting groups in local communities to university and municipal presenters mounting full seasons of events including traditional and modern music, dance, theater, musical theater, opera, family presentations, children’s events, mime and Broadway shows. For the current SWPAP membership brochure, click here.

Our goal

We provide assistance to member organizations. To accomplish this, we share experiences, learn from one another, create a network for booking and arrange educational workshops which are open to all member organizations.

Networking

SWPAP meetings, and the lively discussions that go on through the organization's list serve, provide members with an opportunity to ask questions, seek advice and share experience and expertise with colleagues. There are member organizations of all sizes and histories, and it is a hallmark of SWPAP that members are willing and eager to assist their fellow presenters and share information.

When we meet

SWPAP meets three times a year:
—In September at the Arts Midwest Conference;
—January at the Association of Performing Arts Presenters booking conference in New York;
—In May for our annual educational workshop hosted by a SWPAP member.

Our governing board

The governing board of nine members is elected by the membership, plus one ex-officio representative from Mid-America Arts Alliance. A chair, vice-chair, a secretary and a treasurer are elected from the governing committee. All actions proposed by the governing board are brought to the membership for a vote. Currently serving on the governing board are:

Chair, Kass Prince, Irving Arts Center
Vice Chair, Lietza Brass, Austin Theatre Alliance
Secretary, Joe Ray, Allied Arts
Treasurer, Jim Clark, Lutcher Theater

Members at large:
Jenny Hamilton, New Orleans Ballet Association
Guy Couch, University of Central Arkansas
Maureen Patton, The Grand 1894 Opera House
Susan Thomae-Morphew, R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center
Bruce MacPherson, Charles W. Eisemann Center

Membership criteria

All members must be non-for-profit or tax exempt organizations and have the following responsibilities and privileges:

Active members
A. Must be a presenting organization (A presenting organization is defined as an organization that contracts, markets and accepts financial risks for an arts presentation that is not self-produced).
B. Must have at least one authorized person with decision-making power able to commit to a booking.
C. Must have an active professional presenting program.
D. Must abide by Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) Code of Conduct for presenting organizations.
E. Must be actively involved in the corporation.
F. Must pay annual dues as determined by the Governing Committee.
G. Shall be entitled to one vote on all matters brought before the membership. Only active members are entitled to vote.


Cost of membership

Membership fee is based on the amount of artist fees paid annually by the organization. The membership fee covers one year of membership.
$150,000 and over $ 200 dues
$50,000 to $149,999 $ 100 dues
Under $49,999 $ 75 dues


Sing me up!

You can join (or renew your membership) using SWPAP's online membership information form found here.