 |
 |
 |
|
Home | Resources > Newsletter | Synergy - July 2007
|
||
|
Synergy July 2007 -- Volume 18 Number 5 IN THIS ISSUE: A word from the Executive Director1. VANOC outlines Cultural Olympiad plans 2. NDP MP introduces tax fairness motion for Canadian artists 3. Federal budget analysis from the Canadian Conference of the Arts 4. Two funding announcements from Canadian Heritage 5. Alliance boardroom rental expands to weekdays 6. Arts Now: Innovations and Catalyst program update 7. Abbotsford finalizes design of new cultural centre 8. Research and literature 9. In memoriam 10. Artist calls and opportunities 11. Member news 12. Media spin 13. Endquote A word from the Executive Director Dear Colleagues, Thanks to all who attended our AGM. Our Annual Report is available on our website (click here). As has already been announced, the SEARCH program will end at the end of this month. We hope to replace this very important service with another, similar, but even more appropriate and useful program. SEARCH staff and alumni are working on this but it will take some months to design a program and find appropriate funding support. We’ll keep you posted once we’re in a position to launch the successor to SEARCH. There are some financial challenges on the horizon. The Alliance is required to contribute $12,000 to our endowment each year to provide for the day in 2013 when we shall have to begin paying rent for the premises we now occupy as part of the City’s Amenity Bonusing Program. As I stated at the AGM, fundraising has never been easy for the Alliance: we are an advocacy/service organization, which makes it difficult for us to attract donors or sponsors; there is a limit to how much our members can be expected to pay to sustain our services; and, since we are not a producing organization, we have nothing to sell that will attract public investment. Thus, we are dependent on grants from the city and province (to whom, thanks), as well as membership fees and the small revenues we derive from existing services, such as workshops. These factors combine with the deficit incurred in fiscal 2006 to cause us some concern as we move into the second half of 2007. So, we’ll be calling upon all our members to help us address some of these issues by sharing ideas and some energy through participation in committees and working groups. As far as possible we want to develop sustainable revenue streams associated with our core activities and services rather than embark on new projects that may not be entirely appropriate to us, simply for the sake of making money. Please give me a call to volunteer, or suggest ideas. In the meantime, we continue to consult with the community through our roundtable series, which will be completed later this month. Following that we shall send out a digest of the discussions, and incorporate that thinking into our planning as we move forward. Issues we are following currently include: federal budget preparations (at this point the government is inviting public discussions only on reform of the taxation system); the provincial budget process (a steering committee recently met to prepare a campaign for increased funding to the BCAC); Minister Oda’s management of the $30-million allocated by the federal government to community festivals; rent increases on Granville Island; cultural planning at the GVRD; the Cultural Grants Review and development of the Facilities Priority Plan at Vancouver’s Office of Cultural Affairs; initiatives associated with the $300,000 allocated by Vancouver City Council to cultural tourism activities; and the development of plans for the Mayor’s Awards for 2007 through 2009 or 2008 through 2010. We’ll keep you informed of progress on all of these issues as they evolve. To those of you who are in the middle of a busy summer of activities, we wish you a very successful season. To those who are able to lay back a bit during the summer months, we wish you a well-earned (if brief) respite. With very best regards, Andrew Wilhelm-Boyles On June 12th staff of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) met with members of the arts community at the Vancouver Playhouse to present an outline of the Cultural Olympiad. At the event, the arts community learned the Cultural Olympiad will include a series of three festivals of popular and fine arts with performances and exhibitions by a spectrum of creators from across the country. At the core of the Cultural Olympiad are free and ticketed events in venues throughout the Greater Vancouver/Whistler corridor. Together with arts and cultural organizations, VANOC will co-produce, or co-present the events, exhibitions and installations. The Cultural Olympiad will begin in 2008 with a celebration running February 1 to March 21 and include an anticipated program of some 40 to 50 events comprising more than 100 performances and exhibitions. In 2009, an increased and expanded celebration will be held in the February 1 to March 21 period. In 2010, the Cultural Olympiad will reach its crescendo with the Olympic and Paralympic Arts Festival running from January 22 to March 21. Further details can be found on VANOC’s website at http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/CultureEducation/CulturalEvents Additionally, VANOC has released a summer newsletter. Please click here to read it. 2. NDP MP introduces tax fairness motion for Canadian artists Ontario NDP MP, Peggy Nash has introduced a motion in the federal House of Commons calling for tax fairness for Canadian artists. The motion, introduced in early June, proposes that Ottawa consider artists as independent contractors for income tax purposes; permit income averaging for artists' income and implement a tax credit for parents who enroll their children in arts programs. With income averaging, self-employed workers can average their income over a period of several years, thus paying taxes over more than one year. In the related NDP press release, Ms. Nash noted that in the years they do well, artists pay income tax at a high bracket meaning they have little opportunity to save for the lean times. Click here for a petition template related to the motion. 3. Federal budget analysis from the Canadian Conference of the Arts
The Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) has published its annual in-depth analysis of the federal budget related to arts and culture issues. This document analyzes the budget presented on March 19, 2007, by looking at federal funding to the Department of Canadian Heritage (DCH), its agencies and crown corporations, from 2005-2006 to 2007-2008. This comparison is necessary because 2005-2006 expenditures are understated, while those for 2006-2007 are overstated, due to the fact that the Supplementary Estimates tabled by the previous government were not adopted before the last federal election. The analysis also looks into organizational and funding changes within the Department of Canadian Heritage, federal funding of key programs across the arts, heritage and cultural industries and other noteworthy developments affecting the sector. To access the analysis, click here. 4. Two funding announcements from Canadian Heritage New Media: The federal government has announced it will spend $29 million over the next two years to renew a program aimed at helping the development of Canadian digital media products. Canadian Heritage Minister, Bev Oda made the announcement at the beginning of June at a digital media conference in Banff, Alta. She said the Canada New Media Fund will continue to support the creation of Canadian digital interactive content in both official languages. Museum summer students: The federal Heritage Department has created a $5-million fund to help small and medium-sized museums across the country hire students for summer work. It will be distributed as part of the Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations program. The new funding, which will be administered by the Canadian Museums Association, is available to museums across Canada with annual operating budgets of less than $1 million. 5. Alliance boardroom rental availability expands to weekdays
As of August 1, 2007, the boardroom at the Alliance for Arts and Culture will be available for rent during office hours as well as in the evening, on weekends and holidays. The boardroom is currently available only after 5:30 pm on weekdays and all day on weekends and holidays. Following the conclusion of the last SEARCH session, it will be available throughout the day, seven days a week. The room holds 20 people conference style, 40 people theatre style and 150 for stand-up receptions. Renters are responsible for set up/take down of seating and room clean-up. Boardroom bookings are on a first-come, first-served basis and may be booked up to four months in advance. All renters must provide a credit card number upon booking in order to secure their boardroom rental dates. The credit card will only be charged to cover the cost of damages, if the rental agreement is forfeited or if the renter cancels their contract within seven days of their rental date. Alliance members are entitled to book the boardroom for FREE for up to four hours once per month (non-bankable) with additional bookings available for $10 per hour or any part of an hour +GST (minimum two hour booking). The cost for non-members is $100/half day (up to four hours) and $200/fullday (up to eight hours) + GST. For more information, please visit http://www.allianceforarts.com/about-us/prog-serv-boardroom.html 6. Arts Now: Innovations and Catalyst program update The review of the Arts Now Catalyst and Innovations programs is now complete and Arts Now has announced that both programs will continue. A number of revisions have been made to the program guidelines and application forms and new program categories have been introduced. Revised Catalyst and Innovations program guidelines and application forms can be found online at http://www.2010legaciesnow.com/255/ A copy of the full Catalyst and Innovations program review, completed by Alice Niwinski, will also be available online. 7. Abbotsford finalizes design of new cultural centre Abbotsford's Arts and Heritage Steering Committee has signed off on the final design for a new cultural centre. The design, prepared by architects Hughes Condon Marler, includes increased storage and archive space, improved visitor circulation and reconfigured exhibit space that allows for greater separation of the art and museum space. The Arts and Heritage Steering Committee is made up of community members and represents a cross section of arts and museum members. A sub-committee of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission, the group has made the majority of recommendations and fine-tuned the design and exhibit space for the new cultural centre. Key features of the 20,000 square foot facility are 6,000 square feet of exhibit space, a state-of-the-art environmentally controlled heating and ventilation system, climate controlled archive space, two program studios and permanent and rotating exhibit space for both museum and art presentations. Planning is currently underway for the facility’s first exhibits.
Canadian Reflections on Arts and Learning: The Challenge of Systemic Change A report from the Canadian Commission for UNESCO that highlights Canadian discussions regarding the state of arts education in Canada, the impacts of arts education, challenges regarding arts education, teacher training policies and strategies for arts education advocacy. The report lists ideas and suggestions from consultations in late 2004 and 2005. Diversity in Canada This 2006 survey conducted for the Department of Canadian Heritage examines arts attendance, involvement in the arts, and attitudes towards the arts of six target population groups in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. The six target groups are Chinese, South Asian, West Asian/Arab, Black, Hispanic and Italian. Insight into Asian Aucklanders and the Arts The qualitative research study that offers a valuable insight into the attitudes of Auckland's Asian communities towards the arts in New Zealand. It was jointly commissioned by Auckland City Council, the ASB Community Trust and Creative New Zealand to explore Asian Aucklanders' attitudes towards, attendance at and participation in the arts. Findings were the results from interviews with Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Indian families; community leaders and artists. The qualitative study crossed ethnic and generational lines in to explore the range of perceptions, experiences and attitudes held towards the arts. William Hutt, May 1920 - June 2007 William Hutt, renowned Canadian stage actor and a founding member of the Stratford Festival of Canada in Ontario passed away on June 27 at the age of 87. In his 39 seasons with the festival, where he appeared in or directed 130 productions, Mr. Hutt performed an astonishing range of roles. His acting career began in summer stock and repertory theater and he was invited to join the Stratford festival in its inaugural season. Born in Toronto on May 2, 1920, Mr. Hutt served with a medical unit of the Canadian Forces for five years during World War II and was awarded the Military Medal. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1949. He left no immediate survivors. Ed Mirvish, July 1914 - July 2007 Ed Mirvish, a Toronto businessman and theatre impresario passed away on July 11 at the age of 92. He was renowned for both his discount store Honest Ed's and for revitalizing Toronto's theatre scene. Born in Virginia on July 24, 1914, Mr. Mirvish arrived in Canada with his family at the age of nine. After establishing himself as a successful businessman, Mr. Mirvish bought the Royal Alexandra Theatre in downtown Toronto in 1962, saved the historic venue from demolition and painstakingly restored it. He additionally began opening a number of restaurants nearby to bring theatregoers to the desolate neighbourhood and provide a complete "night-out." These efforts helped revitalized the city's downtown theatre scene. In 1982, Mr. Mirvish purchased the Old Vic in London, England and was eventaully awarded the distinction of commander of the Order of the British Empire for his efforts. In Canada, he was an officer of the Order of Canada and the recipient of hundreds of awards recognizing his contributions to the community. Mr. Mirvish is survived by his wife, Anne, son, David, daughter-in-law, Audrey, sister Lorraine Lazarus and three grandchildren. Tibor Feheregyhazi, February 1932 - July 2007 Saskatchewan theatre master, Tibor Feheregyhazi passed away on July 10 at the age of 75. After a long stage and film career in Hungary, Mr. Feheregyhazi fled the Hungarian Revolution and arrived in Canada in 1958 when he was 35. He began acting in Canada with the Ottawa Little Theatre and worked with many theatre companies including the Canadian Players, the Winnipeg Ballet, Manitoba Theatre Centre, Citadel Theatre and others. In 1976, he became the artistic directorship of Magnus Theatre in Thunder Bay. In 1982, he moved to Saskatoon to become the artistic director of Persephone Theatre where he stayed for the rest of his life. Mr. Feheregyhazi died as Persephone's new theatre nears completion on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River.
10. Artist calls and opportunities International University "Global Theatre Experience" (IUGTE) under support of Art Universe has announced the competition for free participation in the International Acting-Directing Laboratory for directors, actors, dancers, choreographers and teachers interested in collaboration perspectives in Ukraine for 2008-2009. The Lab will take place on August 27 - September 1, 2007 at Donetsk Academic State Theatre of Opera and Ballet, Donetsk, Ukraine. Further details on the lab can be found at www.iugte.com/projects/PracticalTheatre.php Wesley A Wenhardt has been appointed executive director of the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Mr. Wenhardt’s background includes nine years as vice president, business development and operations, at The Tech Museum of Innovation in Silicon Valley, California, and seven years association with the Canadian Museum of Civilization. The Museum of Anthropology has received funding of more than $2.1 million from the Department of Canadian Heritage in support of its Renewal Project. The department provided this funding under the Cultural Spaces Canada Program (CSC) of the Department of Canadian Heritage. Museum Director Dr. Anthony Shelton said the award will help consolidate and extend the museum’s profile and relevance to the Province of British Columbia and Canada, while at the same time increasing its international profile.
Dion's gamble on culture Normally an oppressed-looking demographic, Canadian writers - at least, those eight senior literary types faces drinking beer in the lounge of Toronto's Drake Hotel late last week - were in an unaccustomed state of cheer. They'd just had an in-person session with Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion, and he'd told them something they wanted to hear. Read more... Liberals would promote Canadian culture abroad, Dion says A Liberal government would immediately restore millions in funding that is crucial to promoting Canadian arts and culture abroad, Opposition Leader Stephane Dion said Thursday. Read more... Arts Notes: Cultural Olympiad deadline "short" VANOC's Cultural Olympiad director, Robert Kerr, has acknowledged that the five-week period in which to apply for a slot in the 2008 Cultural Olympiad Celebration is brief. Artists and cultural workers have complained that the June 12 call for proposals came late and that the July 16 deadline leaves little time to pull new programs together. Read more... Artists court tourist dollars On June 12, a group of optimistic artists, cultural workers, and educators assembled in Gastown for a tour of the premises at 142 Water Street and began brainstorming about how the 112,000-square-foot city-owned space could be transformed into an "arts experience centre". Read more... Toronto Star June 2, 2007 By Christopher Hume "Investment in culture means investment in people and investment in neighbourhoods," says Toronto mayor David Miller, who leads a city that, like many others, is trying to reinvent itself as an arts centre. "And, ultimately, it means a city that is more liveable and more prosperous for all." Read more... 13. Endquote“In the landscape of the 21st century, nothing looms larger than culture. It is the new infrastructure, the civic bedrock on which the most successful modern metropolises are built. Culture is to the contemporary city what roads, sewers and bridges were in the 19th and early 20th centuries.” Christopher Hume, Urban Affairs columnist with the Toronto Star
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: SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE You can subscribe to receive Synergy by emailing info@allianceforarts.com with the “Synergy Subscribe” in the subject line. To remove your name from this email list, please email info@allianceforarts.com with “Synergy Un-Subscribe” in the subject line. 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. Last Updated:
Copyright © Alliance for Arts and Culture, 2006 |
||
 |
 |
|
