In the Soil is now accepting applications for its second annual multi-disciplinary arts festival set to take root in downtown St. Catharines from April 15 and 24, 2010. Artists from, or with a close connection to, the Niagara region are invited to apply for one of 60 showcasing opportunities in music, theatre, dance, film and visual arts.

New additions to the 2010 festival include a performing arts showcase opportunity for theatre and dance and a call for multimedia proposals for street-level installations in downtown St. Catharines.

In the Soil is also pleased to announce support from the Fresh Start Program to assist in bringing a local “Hot Ticket” artist to headline the Friday, April 23, 2010 main stage event at Centre for the Arts, Brock University together with three of the “jury’s top picks” from the festival. Fresh Start is made possible through funding from the Arts Presentation Canada Development Support Program offered by the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Deb Slade, Director of Brock University’s Centre for the Arts says, “We are looking forward to hosting the Hot Ticket showcase event on April 23. If last year was any indication, the selection of artists will be very difficult given the talent and caliber of artists in our region.”

The seed for In the Soil was planted by a partnership that will bring Brock University and downtown St. Catharines together to grow a home for the arts in Niagara. Partners include: Centre for the Arts, Brock University, the St. Catharines & Area Arts Council, Suitcase in Point Theatre Company, Pulse Niagara, the Niagara Artists Centre and Yummy Recordings. In 2009, 175 artists shared the fruits of their artistic offerings as part of a week of specially programmed events. This year, a jury composed of seasoned professionals will once again select artists to participate in the late spring harvest.

Applications are available for download at www.inthesoil.on.ca and will close on January 29, 2010.