North American Taiko Conference

The North American Taiko Conference (NATC) is a biennial event hosted by the Taiko Community Alliance (TCA). Started in 1997, the conference was first held in Los Angeles, hosted by the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC), with the mission of supporting the growth of taiko in North America. Since then NATC has become a central element of the taiko community – a regular gathering of taiko community leaders, players, and supporters from around the world. The conference features workshops and discussion sessions for players of all levels, and public performances featuring a wide variety of taiko groups.

NATC and NATC-R

In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the scheduled 2021 NATC was cancelled and it was untenable to begin planning for a 2023 NATC at the time. As part of adapting programming during and after the pandemic, the TCA developed a new strategic framework to return to annual conferences, with a plan to alternate between the existing NATC structure and a regional format called NATC-R. In 2023, the first NATC-R was held in Hilo, Hawaiʻi and another NATC-R is planned for Seattle, Washington in 2024. The next full NATC is planned for 2025 and will subsequently be held every other year (odd years). NATC-R events are not bound by a specific timeline, though the TCA seeks to produce at least one conference annually.

Groups that are interested in hosting either NATC or a NATC-R are encouraged to get in touch or to fill out the Host City Interest Form, immediately below. More information about the programs and a FAQ section can be found further below.

What’s a NATC-R?

NATC-R is a relatively new sub-program of NATC that supports the art of taiko and empowers local communities by bringing the benefits of taiko gatherings to their backyard. While geographic region is a common paradigm, local communities are self-described and a committee is formed in consultation with the TCA following the request for proposal (RFP) process. The TCA may suggest brining in additional representation based on the stated goals of the local organizers or to increase project feasibility. When a committee is formed after consultation, the TCA continues to work and organize with the local committee to plan and execute the event. Through this program, TCA fully produces the event, allowing the potential for financial risk mitigation and programming assistance that may be outside the scope of independently organizing.

In many cases, applying for NATC-R may be motivated by wanting to have a taiko conference close to home, which may allow increased participation to those who otherwise may be prevented from traveling to the larger NATC, however it is also a way for regions to seek to build stronger local relationships, spotlight performers and instructors from their region, and showcase their region’s taiko history and culture to others. Because NATC-R are formed through bottom-up consolation, the boundaries of the “region” are not strictly defined, and do not necessarily have to be geographical, though access to drums and physical spaces inherently involves local organizing. NATC-R instances will generally define their own goals, or do so in consolation with the TCA. As such, they do not necessarily use the 10 regions (the ones with animal mascots) as defined in other TCA Programming.

North American Taiko Conference (NATC)

  • Broad goal of advancing the art of taiko in North America

  • Seeks as many participants as possible; priority registration to TCA members

  • Workshop leaders apply through an open application

  • At least some performance options through open application (Taiko Ten)

North American Taiko Conference, Regional (NATC-R)

  • Goals determined by host committee and can be specific to certain communities

  • May be limited in attendance size; priority registration to members of region

  • Variable workshop leader hiring process depending on local vision

  • Variable performance structures based on local vision

Though the NATC-R Program focuses on supporting regionally-specific goals, local host groups are essential to hosting the larger NATC. Though NATC has more standardized guidelines in how it is produced, it is still a great opportunity for local groups to show the world the vibrant taiko communities in and around the host city. Local committees are still the main drivers for organizing NATC. If you are uncertain if you and the groups in your area are interested in hosting an NATC or NATC-R, please get in touch through one of the buttons above.

FAQ

(Q) What is the relationship between NATC and NATC-R?

(A) NATC-R is a subprogram of the TCA’s broader conference programming (collectively “NATC”). The NATC dates back to 1997 and is a long-standing gathering in the North American taiko community. NATC-R was developed in strategic planning during the COVID-19 pandemic as another format that the conference could take and was first launched in 2023. Both manifestations share the same project tools, management team, design assets, and overhead. Moving past the disruption from the pandemic, larger NATC conferences will be held every other year on odd-numbered years. NATC-R programs are not on a predetermined schedule, but will be the focus of even-numbered years. These two different manifestations that the conference can take allow it to support the needs of taiko communities on different scales, but are aligned in their general mission in empowering taiko players and thoughtfully advancing taiko arts, history, and culture in North America and beyond.

(Q) What should we do if we are uncertain if we want to host a NATC or NATC-R?

(A) The Host City Interest Form is a single-point entry to either version of the conference. The TCA will consult with applicants to decide which format would work best. You may also reach out to us with questions before filling out the Host City Interest Form.

(Q) Since the NATC-R format allows submitters to define their own goals and regions, can it be used to produce anything a submitter wants?

(A) Generally, NATC-R iterations still need to be conferences that involve gatherings of individuals for the purposes of learning, sharing, teaching, performing, or creating taiko music. It is possible for the boundaries of the project to extend beyond a single weekend and in digital and in-person formats, but it should involve the gathering as a main component. For a NATC-R project to be selected, the TCA must feel that it is feasible both financially and materially before moving forward and that its goals are in alignment with the NATC program and the TCA. Typically, much of this planning is worked out in the consultation process. For projects that do not quite fit the conference format, submitters might consider the TCA Grants program or Fiscal Sponsorship.