Balancing Act’s Level UP! Initiative supports performing arts organizations, companies, collectives, festivals, residency programs and project-based initiatives as they explore the creation of policies and practices that support parents, caregivers and care needs.
The Level UP! program offers financial support, consultation, and evaluation as partners explore the implementation of supportive measures for parents and caregivers.
Through the Level UP! initiative, organizations and collectives create resources and templates to be shared with the performing arts sector at large, supporting a culture shift toward increased access for artists and arts workers with caring responsibilities.
Our application period for the 2023-24 season has ended. We are no longer accepting applications. Applicants will be notified of the results by June 20, 2023.
Strategy Consultant: Jeanne LeSage, LeSage Arts Management
Project Evaluation: Meredith Davis and Rebecca Thomas Kahn, Good Roots Consulting
To learn more about our past Level UP! Strategy Partners click HERE.
2022-23 Level UP! Partners and Pilot Strategies:
Pathways to Agreement
Supporting the caregiving needs of artists/arts workers through policy and the contracting process: For example: creating care policies, wrap-around supports, onboarding processes, needs assessments.
Care Solutions
Initiatives to directly support caregiver needs: For example, on-site care, infrastructure for touring, care room, childcare/caregiver fund, childcare for auditions, concurrent/integrated programming.
Flexible Working Models
Alternative models for production schedules and administrative positions. Other examples: job sharing and long term planning.
![]() ![]() | Downstage Theatre: Piloting a seven hour day, five day work week for rehearsals of The F Word. |
![]() ![]() | Presentation House: Piloting a flexible, shared-work model for hands-on, site-specific roles. |
Compassion Fund
Including a fund in production/operating budgets to support a range of care needs; for example: personal support, travel, and childcare and other needs as requested.
Models for Presenters
Support for artists and companies: For example, welcome package/resource guide, care room, touring infrastructure, childcare at events/openings
![]() ![]() | Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts: “Welcome to the Oakville Centre”; development of a welcome package that helps support touring artists’ care needs while working in our community. |
Level UP! National Roundtable Series, in partnership with PACT
Co-presented with the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT), these roundtables are a series of public ‘working conversations’ between invited guests and our partner companies who are piloting workplace strategies to support parents and caregivers.
Level UP! National Roundtable Series, in partnership with PACT
Co-presented with the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT), these roundtables are a series of public ‘working conversations’ between invited guests and our partner companies who are piloting workplace strategies to support parents and caregivers.
February 23, 2023: Season Planning with Production Leadership with Means of Production and Nightwood Theatre (online). Register HERE
March 6, 2023: Creating a Framework of Care with Neworld Theatre (in-person in Vancouver). Register HERE
The Level UP! Program is guided by Balancing Act’s Steering Committee.
Learn more: Balancing Act’s Steering Committee.
Balancing Act is a proud TAPA COMMUNITY PARTNER.