Block Booking: The Cornerstone of the OSAC Model

Block booking is the key component of the OSAC model. Most performers will consider lowering their per/performance fees if a number of performances can be grouped into a tour of consecutive dates. It is to the arts councils' advantage to consider this and to see which performers other arts councils may be booking when choosing their programming. However, the stature of the performer will dictate the "starting fee" for the reductions. The expectation that higher profile performers will reduce their fees considerably because of a large tour is unrealistic.

In order to facilitate the block booking process, compilations of performers that arts councils want to book are circulated to arts councils immediately following Showcase and prior to the booking deadline of November 30.

The Performing Arts Exchange, held annually at Showcase, is an important vehicle for arts councils to ensure that large tours occur, thus resulting in lower performer fees.

OSAC negotiates a fee with the performer and charges them a 5% finder's fee to a maximum per performance amount of $150.00 plus GST. 

It is important to understand that block booking requires all members to accept performances may occur on any day of the week. Day preferences are taken into consideration but cannot be guaranteed based on the calendar availability and reasonable routing practices. OSAC aims to keep performer drives under 3 hours per day whenever possible and works to give performers 5 performances a week