 |
 |
 |
|
Home | Resources > Newsletter | Synergy - January 13, 2006
|
||
 |
Synergy, the electronic newsletter A word from the Executive Director This Just In: Urgent Action Required! We have just been informed that the Vancouver Parks Board intends to put a motion forward at its Monday January 16, 2006 board meeting that will eliminate the Culture and Recreation Committee. If we are to prevent this from happening there must be a strong showing from the arts community at the meeting. You can get your name on the speakers list by calling the Parks Board office at 604-257-8400, or by sending an email to pbcomment@vancouver.ca. You must register to speak by Monday at 12 noon. If you can't show up in person make sure you send an e-mail expressing your desire to see the Culture and Recreation Committee reinstated. The meeting will be held this Monday, January 16 at the Parks Board office at 2099 Beach Avenue, and begins at 7 PM. The motion only recommends the formation of two committees: planning and finance. Previously there was also a culture and recreation committee. For background information, click here. Click here to read the motion on the meeting agenda." We have certainly been putting our new Director of Communications through her paces over the past two weeks. The fate of the funding increase to the Canada Council has been foremost on our minds during the federal election and the story has been unfolding hour by hour. The news today that all four major parties will honour the doubling of funding to the Canada Council for the Arts is an illustration of the power of advocacy. The Alliance has been working on this issue on your behalf through the Canadian Arts Coalition. Visit the Vote Arts 2006 website and send an e-mail to your candidates expressing your support for the increase. We have also been working on the provincial front to secure an increased investment in the BC Arts Council in the 2006/2007budget. Some Alliance members have been meeting with their MLA’s to encourage them to advocate for such an increase. If you are interested in setting up a meeting with your MLA please let me know; I can provide you with some written materials to leave behind with your MLA. The Alliance is also sitting on a committee that is advising the B.C. Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Arts on an Arts Summit that will take place sometime in the next six months. We will keep you updated as we know more. I hope the New Year finds each of you renewed and excited about the year to come and don’t forget to vote! Respectfully, Heather Redfern 604.681.3535 ext. 209 A word from the Editor At 60.9%, voter turnout at the 2004 federal general election was the lowest its been since 1896. I was thinking about this as I sat in the audience of the PuSh Festival satellite performance, Thom Pain, listening to the pre-performance talk. Here, I thought, was a house packed full of attentive patrons. Do they know how little arts and culture have been mentioned during the federal election campaign? Have they looked into which of their candidates stand behind federal support for the sector? And the critical question: will they vote? I further wondered if the arts could affect voter turnout if, at every cultural performance until the election on January 23, the friendly folks giving the intro talks took advantage of their captive audience and reminded them to vote and consider the arts when doing so. Those wanting more information could be directed to the campaign analysis and monitoring being undertaken on the Vote Arts 2006, Alliance and Canadian Conference for the Arts websites. Could we then strengthen the collective voice for our sector and make a difference when Canada goes to the polls in ten days? After all the opposite of apathy is action. In this issue: 1. Add your voice to the federal election campaign 2. Canadian Arts Coalition lauds all-party commitment to Canada Council 3. Federal party stands on arts and culture 4. January an opportune time to meet with your MLA 5. Vancouver council discontinues cultural presentations 6. Update on efforts to save Joy Kogawa's childhood home 7. January deadlines approaching for 2010 Olympics legacy programs 8. VANOC recruits creative team for Canadian showcase at closing ceremonies for the 2006 Olympics 9. CBC requests for proposals for community space 10. Membership services: Did you know? 11. Andis Celms memorial 12. Industry News 13. Calls 14. Member News 15. Kudos 16. Media Spin 17. Calendar 18. End Quote Editor: Laurie Guy 1. Add your voice to the federal election campaign Ten days remain in the federal election campaign, and so far arts and cultural issues have received little mention in the campaigns of the major parties. The time is right to make your voice heard. Visit the Vote Arts 2006 website to find out how to take action during these last days of campaigning and please consider calling, emailing, visiting and questioning your local candidates. Ask candidates where they stand on arts and cultural investment at the federal level and reinforce your support for doubling the budget of the Canada Council for the Arts over the next three years. Also visit the Alliance’s website at and the Canadian Conference of the Arts site for more information on the federal election front. 2. Canadian Arts Coalition lauds all-party commitment to increasing Canada Council funding (Toronto) – The Canadian Arts Coalition, the largest consortium of artists and arts organizations ever assembled in Canada, commends the Bloc Québecois, the Conservative Party of Canada, the Liberal Party of Canada and the New Democratic Party on their collective commitment to increase funding to the arts through the Canada Council for the Arts. The Coalition, made up of artists, arts executives and business leaders from across the country, is united for one purpose: to increase, by $5 dollars per Canadian, funding to the arts delivered through the Canada Council. "In November, the federal government recognized the importance of the arts in the lives of Canadians by making the announcement that it would invest $306 million in the Canada Council for the Arts – bringing its annual allocation to more than $300 million,” notes Coalition spokesperson, Micheline McKay, Executive Director of Opera.ca, one of the many organizations supporting the Coalition. “We are pleased to say that all four major political parties appear committed to bring about this increase in funding if elected to government on 23 January.” “While the arts are only now gaining momentum as an issue in this election campaign, this commitment to increased resources for artists and arts organizations is highly significant,” adds Anne-Marie Jean, Executive Director, Culture Montréal. The Coalition based its support on the platforms of the Bloc, Liberals and NDP, as well as a statement made yesterday to Radio Canada by Conservative culture critic, Bev Oda, (MP, Durham). “We are pleased that the major political parties have heard and understood our arguments for more arts funding,” concludes Ms. Jean, “All Canadians will be richer for this investment. It will mean more educational opportunities for our children and greater access to the arts, as well as a higher international profile for Canada and an increased contribution from the arts sector to the Canadian economy.” 3. Federal party stands on arts and culture To read the various party platforms on the arts please follow the links listed below. Liberal Party platforms on arts and culture http://www.allianceforarts.com/advocacy/Liberalplatform.pdf http://www.allianceforarts.com/advocacy/LiberalTeamBCplatform.pdf?p=124 Liberal Party response to the Canadian Conference of the Arts http://www.ccarts.ca/en/2005ElectionNews1/documents/LiberalDec2105Response.pdf?p=124 Liberal Party response to the Canadian Arts Coalition http://www.allianceforarts.com/advocacy/Canadian_Arts_Coalition_en.pdf?p=124 Conservative Party response to Canadian Arts Coalition http://www.allianceforarts.com/advocacy/conservativepartyresponse.pdf?p=124 Conservative Party Response to Canadian Conference of the Arts http://www.ccarts.ca/en/2005ElectionNews1/documents/conservative_response.pdf New Democratic Party platform on arts and culture http://www.allianceforarts.com/advocacy/NDPplatform.pdf New Democratic Party response to the Canadian Conference of the Arts http://www.ccarts.ca/en/2005ElectionNews1/documents/Reponse_ndp.pdf Bloc Quebecois response to the Canadian Conference of the Arts http://www.ccarts.ca/en/2005ElectionNews1/documents/Reponses_bloc.pdf Bloc Quebecois response to the Canadian Arts Coalition http://www.allianceforarts.com/advocacy/BlocresponsetoCAC.pdf 4. January an opportune time to meet with your MLA Lobbying efforts at the provincial level were rewarded following the many submissions from arts supporters to the finance committee as part of its pre-budget consultations. The Alliance was pleased that the arts had significant placing in the final report issued by the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services and one of the 21 recommendations is: “The government consider increasing funding for arts programs and cultural infrastructure.” Now is the time to follow up on this success as MLA’s are in their home ridings throughout the month of January. Please contact your MLA to set up a meeting to discuss the importance of the arts to you and your community. The Alliance will be happy to provide you with a package of support materials for your information and to leave with your MLA. We need to tell our political representatives that we support a significantly increased investment in the BC Arts Council and in the province’s cultural infrastructure. Visit our Action Centre to send a letter requesting a meeting with your MLA. 5. Vancouver council discontinues cultural presentations The Cultural Presentations program at Vancouver City Council meetings was not renewed by City Council on December 16, 2005. Launched in 2003 and administered by the Alliance, the initiative showcased a paid arts performance at the beginning of each city council meeting which was broadcast on Shaw TV to over 40,000 people per week. The most recent contract with the Alliance expired on December 31, 2005 and the motion to cut the 2006 operating budget for the program in favour of “civic funding in support of the arts community…directed to initiatives that connect artists to the community, rather than to the provision of entertainment for City Councillors,” was passed 6-5. In an interview with the Vancouver Courier on the subject, Mayor Sam Sullivan said that although he “loved every performance… I don’t think it’s the way to showcase our great artists.” The funding for the program will be reallocated to increase general cultural grants. 6. Update on efforts to save Joy Kogawa's childhood home The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC) announced on January 12, 2006, that it has successfully negotiated an option to purchase the culturally-significant childhood home of Canadian author Joy Kogawa. Since launching the campaign in December, TLC has been negotiating with the owner to purchase the house so that it can be protected from re-development. Now that those negotiations have been successful, the only task remaining is to raise the funds needed to buy the property. TLC and the Save Kogawa House Committee have until March 30th to raise the $1.25 million required to complete the purchase of the house and property, fund required restorations, and establish an endowment to continue maintaining the property. Vancouver City Council has agreed to delay approval of a demolition permit only until March 30. Once protected, Kogawa House will be a used as a home for a writers-in-residence program, enabling a new generation of “writers of conscience” to be inspired both by the connection with Joy Kogawa’s literary legacy as well as by the historical significance of the house itself. The Alliance for Arts and Culture and other notable community and cultural groups such as the Save Kogawa House Committee, Vancouver Heritage Foundation, Heritage Vancouver, the Writer's Union of Canada and Federation of BC writers are part of the Save Kogawa House Committee calling for a halt to the planned demolition of the home in the Marpole neighbourhood. The home, in which Kogawa grew up in, is featured prominently in her 1983 novel, Obasan. Information on contributing to the campaign can be found at www.conservancy.bc.ca. 7. January deadlines approaching for 2010 Olympics legacy programs Two deadlines are approaching for applications for the Arts Now programs, Catalyst and Innovations. As part of 2010 Legacies Now, Arts Now exists to strengthen and enhance the creative capacity of individuals, organizations and communities throughout the province. Legacies Now exists to create sustainable legacies that will benefit all British Columbians as a result of hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The Catalyst Program provides investment for initiatives undertaken by arts, culture and heritage organizations, alone or in partnership, to build their organizational and/or artistic capacity. Initiatives must be outside of the normal course of the organization's operations and should be transformative for the organization or the partnership; address a clearly identified need of the organization or partnership; be sustainable and exhibit an ability for the results to be carried forward. The application deadline is January 16, 2006. More information can be found by clicking here. The Innovations Program provides investment for initiatives undertaken by arts, culture and heritage organizations and communities, alone or in partnership, to create new opportunities for people to engage in sustainable and transformative arts and cultural activities. Initiatives must be outside of the normal course of the organization's operations, or of the activities available already in a community, and should be transformative for the community being engaged; be shown to be innovative and/or new to the community; be sustainable and have a lasting impact on the community. The application deadline is January 31, 2006 and more information can be found by clicking here.
8. VANOC recruits creative team for Canadian showcase during closing ceremonies of 2006 Olympics in Torino, Italy The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) has recruited talent from across Canada to join its ceremonies staff in creating and producing Vancouver 2010's participation in the Closing Ceremony of the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games, to be held on February 26, 2006 at Stadio Olimpico in Torino, Italy. VANOC's participation in the Closing Ceremony includes the traditional Olympic Flag handover and an eight minute entertainment segment. VANOC will use that opportunity to start to tell the story of Canada's Games in 2010 by featuring a combination of broad-based Canadian talent and uniquely Canadian themes that reflect the country from coast to coast to coast. The team from across Canada will create the concept for its segment in the Torino Closing Ceremony. The team includes: Robert Lepage, renowned playwright and director from Quebec; Jacques Lemay of Victoria, Artistic Director of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony; Lyn Heward of Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil; Jillian Keilley, director, from St. John's, Newfoundland; Sal Ferreras, Vancouver-based musician and composer; and Alan Clark, former head of Olympic properties for CBC. More information can be found in the VANOC news release. 9. CBC requests for proposals for community spaceOver the last two years, CBC Radio-Canada has been drafting a master plan for the redevelopment of property at 700 Hamilton Street. At the beginning of this process the CBC established a set of ‘Guiding Principles’ to assist the design team in the development of the master plan. One of these fundamental principles was that the plan must create a strong connection with the community and promote interaction with the public on an ongoing basis. The master plan for the redevelopment - now known as ‘Broadcast Station’ – incorporates residential, retail and CBC uses to create a new and dynamic urban environment on this full city block which is strategically located in the City’s ‘performing’ precinct. To further its community connection objective, as well as add to the dynamism and animation of the Broadcast Station theme, CBC has set aside two areas within the master plan for direct community use. The first of these areas is a space of approximately 8,500 square feet (the ‘Building’ space) located on the main floor of the existing building, and which will front onto a new landscaped courtyard stretching from the building to Hamilton Street. The second area is a 4,000 square foot studio (the ‘Studio’space) (c/w outdoor stage and power drops and dimmer board) which will include an outdoor stage fronting on the Hamilton Street Plaza. CBC is seeking proposals from interested parties as to the use and occupancy of these two spaces. If this proposal interests you, or the community group you represent, please respond to the RFP by January 20, 2006. Please keep in mind that the main focuses of providing this community space are to: a) offer a low cost venue for community/non-profit organization(s) b) create an atmosphere of public involvement with CBC Radio-Canada and animate the activities along Hamilton Street. c) find a use that would be enhance the dynamism of the Broadcast Station’ master plan. Further information can be found by clicking here. 10. Membership services: Did you know? Membership in the Alliance for Arts and Culture gives you the following advantages: • A strong voice on the municipal, provincial and federal advocacy front • Reduced fees for the Media E-Net service • Access to send notices to the membership through the E-Net • Inclusion in our online directory of members including a direct link to your website • The creation and maintenance of a web page in the Alliance online directory for members without an existing website • Free use of the Alliance boardroom once a month with reduced rental fees for additional days of boardroom use • Inclusion on the distribution list for our Synergy newsletter and the member’s only-Alliance News • Option to sell tickets through our Tickets Tonight service with no set up fees • Discount on training and professional development programs hosted by the Alliance • A discount on membership with Tourism Vancouver and partner with other organizations on tourism initiatives • A 20% discount on specialized accounting services for the arts with Quantum Accounting • Discounts on audio and web conferencing services • Group insurance benefit packages • Merchant card rates • Discounts on office supplies through Corporate Express • A 10% discount on all printing through Clubcard • Discounts on E-Commerce and E-Philanthrophy services
11. Andis Celms memorial
In tribute to Andis Celms, who died suddenly this past December 1, 2005 at his home in Vancouver at the age of 67, a group of friends has joined with the National Arts Centre in Ottawa to host a party in celebration of the life and times of one of Canada’s foremost men of the theatre. The Last Great Andis Celms “Shop Party” will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2006 in the scenic carpentry shop at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Live music will be provided by The Sneezy Waters Band and ascots (or good facsimile) will be the required dress code. Please RSVP by January 26, 2006 to andiscelmsebration@hotmail.com. 12. Industry News In Greater Vancouver... Blues to books project A fundraising project started in September 2005 by Burnaby, B.C. Artists and Recreation Leader Diane Moran for Hurricane Katrina relief has expanded to include the adoption of a school in Louisiana. Moran founded the Canada Cares relief campaign aimed at adopting and rebuilding a school affected by the aftermath of the Hurricane. Through contacts with the Louisiana State Library and media accounts of post-Katrina, Moran observed and defined the need for the restoration of schools such as St. Bernard Parish in Louisiana. The resulting project, called O’ Canada B.C. To Bernard Book project will not only restore educational materials, but will connect hundreds of students, two schools, and two communities through a Pen Pal program. For more information contact Diane Moran at moraninthemoon@shaw.ca or phone 604.525.1417. On the national front… ACTRA puts culture on the election agenda ACTRA's performers called on politicians at a news conference January 11 let Canadians know where they stand on Canada's cultural future. Among those members of ACTRA taking part in a Toronto press conference were Wendy Crewson, Richard Hardacre, Dan Lett, Miriam McDonald, Colin Mochrie, Cara Pifko, Karl Pruner, Fiona Reid, Wayne Robson, Sonja Smits, Julie Stewart, and R.H. Thomson. These well-known Canadian actors are determined to raise the alarm during this election about the threat to Canada's cultural sovereignty. Read the full release. Take One Magazine suspends publication Canada's magazine industry has lost another national publication. A mere three months after the collapse of Saturday Night, Take One Magazine, the national film magazine since 1992, has announced that it has suspended publication. Despite the magazine's being run as a not-for-profit organization, founding publisher and editor Wyndham Wise says Take One had run into cash-flow problems that were becoming too difficult to contend with. Launched at the 1992 Toronto International Film Festival, Take One's name was lifted from an earlier national Canadian film magazine, one that had been launched in 1966 but ceased publication after a few years. 13. Calls 2006 Vancity Award Vancity is accepting letters of intent for the 2006 Vancity Award. The Award invests $1 million each year in a community project sponsored by a non-profit organization that supports the social, environmental or economic well-being of our community. The deadline for letters is 5 p.m. January 17, 2006. More information. Vancouver Public Library Writer in Residence From August 14 to December 14, 2006, the Vancouver Public Library will be hosting a resident author. The aims of the residency are to foster greater appreciation for Canadian writing within the community, offer members of the community an opportunity to interact with the resident author, and to provide the space, time and resources for a Canadian author to write. The deadline for applications is January 20, 2006. More information. 2nd Annual BC Creative Achievement Awards The BC Creative Achievement Awards celebrates BC’s applied artists and designers working in jewelry, glass, wood, fibre, clay, and metal in such fields as, but not limited to, textiles, furniture, musical instrument making, weaving, ceramics, book binding, paper, fashion, and industrial design. Four awards of $5,000 each will be presented to emerging and established applied artists and designers. Individuals can be nominated for these awards or can submit their own work. The deadline is January 21, 2006. More information. National Film Board application for new documentary fund The NFB has issued a call for submissions to their new documentary fund. The new fund, announced in June 2005, will invest $800,000 in support of the production of theatrical documentaries. Under the fund, the NFB provides production funding for theatrical feature documentary co-productions, with The Documentary Channel guaranteeing broadcast of the film after its theatrical release. The co-venture seeks new, original projects that tell innovative stories and appeal to both Canadian and international audiences. The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2006. More information. 14. Member News On the move… The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival new coordinates are: 402-873 Beatty Street, Vancouver, BC Canada V6B 2M6 Telephone: 604.605.8284/ Fax: 604.708.5661/ Email: norman@pushfestival.ca/ www.pushfestival.ca As of January 24, The Creative City Network of Canada's will be at Suite 408 – 402 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 1T6 15. Kudos Public art voted newsmaker of the year in Penticton Penticton’s notorious Frank the Baggage Handler statue was voted the community’s unofficial newsmaker of the year in the Penticton Herald’s annual readership poll. The public art was unveiled early in 2005 by Penticton artist Michael Hermesh and almost immediately, the naked, middle-aged man surrounded by his weathered suitcases garnered national attention. A not so favourable reaction from city hall resulted in a steel plate being placed over Frank’s genitals but the community uproar spread and Frank became the target of vandals while resting in his downtown location. After suffering much abuse including one particularly vehement attack where his penis was chopped off, Frank was removed from his traffic roundabout perch and sold to the Red Rooster Winery in nearby Naramata. The label for its 2004 Cabernet Franc, which won the People's Choice gold medal winner at the 10th annual B.C. Wine Label Awards, depicts the Baggage Handler standing amidst a snowy traffic roundabout. Mr. Hermesh was quoted as saying: “Really, when I sculpted him, I went out of my way to make him as non-controversial as possible,” he said. “There were all sorts of buttons I could have pushed, which I didn't. He was actually quite staid.” Mr. Hermesh said if nothing else, Frank put the issue of publicly funded art into the public spotlight. 16. Media Spin Election news can be viewed on our Campaign for Culture site.In Greater Vancouver… Perhaps it’s theatre sportsPublished in the January 6, 2006 edition of the Vancouver Sun In 2003, BC residents spent 67% more on live cultural & performing arts ($120 million) than on live sports events ($75 million). Source: BC Arts Council Annual Report 2004-2005. Arts Notes Published in the December 22-29, 2005 edition of the Georgia Straight By Janet Smith Curtain closes on council act: At 1:45 a.m. on December 16, at the end of a 12-hour meeting, after every citizen left city-council chambers, five NPA councillors and Mayor Sam Sullivan voted to axe the arts performances that happen before each meeting. Funding alert: The golden age of cultural support at city council may be dimming, according to one arts-involved Vision Vancouver councillor. Raymond Louie, the council liaison to the City Creative Task Force, told the Straight he fears the NPA majority does not value the arts community. Public art on hold: A $6.8-million bike-and-pedestrian corridor has had its public-art component removed—for now. On December 15, city council approved the detailed design of the corridor: the clause that removed public art from the plans earned a single sentence buried in the staff report.
Arts NotesPublished in the January 5-12, 2006 edition of the Georgia Straight By Colin Thomas Brokeback Byng: Flying in the face of the controversy that shut down a scheduled production of The Laramie Project at Elgin Park secondary school in Surrey last September, Vancouver’s Lord Byng secondary is mounting its own interpretation of the play. Rather than shying away from the subject matter, homophobia, the Byng administration is turning the piece into a school-wide, cross-curricular learning event. Read the full article. News from away… Have paint, will travel Published in the Nunatsiaq News on December 23, 2005 By John Thompson Beth McKenty dreams of every child in Nunavut armed with paint. That’s because the 74-year-old sees a change in kids who are angry, depressed or hopeless after they pick up a paintbrush and swirl together different mixtures of red, yellow and blue. Read the full article. Stressed workers enjoy art for heart's sake Visiting an art gallery may be the perfect antidote to stress, according to research. Analysis of 28 City high flyers who spent their lunch break viewing art found their stress levels fell by 45% after 40 minutes at the Guildhall art gallery in London. Read the full article. 17. Calendar Get out and vote! The federal election takes place on January 23, 2006. Find out how and where to vote at http://www.elections.ca. 18. Endquote“Art, not just being a confirmation of (existing ideas) — art actually being something that you don't understand and takes exploring to understand — I think that's what Frank was.” Penticton artist Michael Hermesh speaking about his controversial public statue: Frank the Baggage Handler. Our thanks The Alliance for Arts and Culture gratefully acknowledges the support from the following: City of Vancouver, the British Columbia Arts Council and the British Columbia Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch.
Comments? Send a message to: Alliance for Arts and Culture Suite 100 - 938 Howe Street Vancouver, BC V6Z 1N9 Phone: 604-681-3535 Fax: 604-681-7848 Email: info@allianceforarts.com Was this newsletter forwarded to you? You can subscribe to receive Synergy by filling out the form on our website: http://www.allianceforarts.com/resources/subscribe-to-synergy.html To unsubscribe, please visit: http://www.actionworks.ca/clientfiles/aac-synergy/unsubscribe.jsp You are receiving this email as a member service of the Alliance for Arts and Culture, or because you have submitted your email address to us to subscribe to Synergy. We do not rent, exchange, sell or give this email list to any other organization. Unless specifically stated, any part of this newsletter may be reproduced with appropriate credit given to the Alliance for Arts and Culture. If you have any questions about your privacy, please call 604-681-3535 or email privacy@allianceforarts.com.
Copyright © Alliance for Arts and Culture, 2005 |
|
 |
 |
|
