MAX Artist Showcases
Sept 15 - 18, 2025
The BAIRD CENTER MILWAUKEE, WI
The BAIRD CENTER MILWAUKEE, WI
The Midwest Arts XPO has a robust schedule of over 250 artist showcases including Dance, Theatre, Music and more! Presenters will have an opportunity to see live performances and learn more about artists who are available for touring in the Midwest.
2025 SHOWCASES
MONDAY - WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15-17, 2025
7:30 P.M. | THE BAIRD CENTER, 2ND FLOOR
The Dance Showcase will take place Tuesday, Sept. 16 from 7:30-11:30 p.m. on the 4th floor of the Baird Center.
Performances for Young Audiences (PYA) Symposium & Showcase
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025
The Baird Center, 4th floor
PYA Panel Discussion Symposium | 8:30-10:30 a.m. and PYA Showcase | 10 a.m. – NOON
The MAX Youth & Family Programming Symposium features a panel discussion on critical issues in the field, thematically specific small group conversations, networking with colleagues and a curated showcase. Topics include artistic programming, commissioning new works, marketing to schools and families, and supporting artists in new and innovative ways. Session Leaders are to be announced.
The 90-minute, curated Performances for Young Audiences (PYA) Showcase will consist of six 12-minute showcases and five 3-minute artist pitches during the transition between showcases. The showcase will be curated by a panel of seasoned performing arts industry professionals who have extensive experience in working with youth and family programming.
PYA FAQs
Wednesday, Sept. 17 | 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (noon). The PYA Showcase will be immediately after the PYA Symposium 8:30-10:15 a.m.
The Baird Center, 4th floor
There are no application fees. If selected for a PYA showcase, the showcase fee is $1,000. If selected, the artist pitch fee is $200.
The performance area is approximately 40’w x 20’d x 16’h. There will be a video screen to accommodate multi-media presentations.
Tech/load in time will start at 7:00 a.m.
For more information or questions, please email Showcase@midwestartsxpo.org
Showcase FAQS
Yes! The Midwest Arts XPO (MAX) will offer more than 250 artist showcases over the course of the four-day event. Showcases will be produced by an impressive group of experienced showcase room producers who will be selected from a pool of qualified applicants. Showcase producers will be selected and approved by the Heartland Performing Arts, Inc. Board of Directors.
No. Not at this time.
There are NO official juried showcases. All showcases are produced by independent producers.
If you would like to apply to be a MAX Showcase Room Producer, please fill out the online application above by Wednesday, April 23, 2025. If you have questions, please email Showcase@midwestartsxpo.org
To express your interest in receiving information about showcasing at MAX, please fill out the online “Artist Showcase Inquiry Form” above. We will email the showcase information to you once Showcase Room Producers have been confirmed.
Yes, there is a fee to showcase. Showcasing fees are set by the Showcase Room Producer. The cost of a showcase slot will vary based on the length of the showcase and the technical equipment supplied in the room. Please work directly with the Showcase Room Producer on fees and payment.
To be included on the conference website and APP, showcasing artists must purchase and complete the Showcase Listing by Friday, August 15, 2025. To be included in the Conference APP only, the Showcase Listing deadline is Friday, August 22, 2025.