Synergy
The electronic newsletter for people who value arts and culture
April 2008 -- Volume 19 Number 3
IN THIS ISSUE:
A word from the editor
I read a discouraging statistic the other day. The City of Vancouver has conducted a survey to consult residents on the 2008 budget. Perhaps you filled one out. In it, respondents were given a choice of 14 service areas, and were asked, “If you had to make cuts to one these areas, which would you choose?” 41% of residents and 45% of businesses had grants to arts & culture as their first choice.
When I was a child I remember hearing about the Voyager 2 spacecraft, which was fitted with a phonograph containing a greeting from Earth in case the craft was intercepted by extraterrestrials (so that the aliens could play it on their record-player, presumably). A committee of eminent thinkers was convened to decide what would best represent the planet Earth to our galactic neighbors, and after six months of deliberations they decided to fill the records with music. Beethoven and Louis Armstrong and Chinese ballads and Peruvian pan pipes.
Back to the survey, I suppose there’s comfort to be taken from the fact that when they were asked if they preferred to reduce, increase, or maintain community and cultural services, only 25.5% of residents and 29.8% of businesses said they would want cuts to those services. But given our deep and abiding pride on our artistic accomplishments, I wonder why we are ready to cast away arts and culture so willingly?
Peter Boychuk
Director of Communications
Alliance for Arts & Culture
1. Mayor's Arts Awards Call for Nominations
After a hiatus of two years, the Vancouver Arts Awards are returning as the Mayor’s Arts Awards. This celebration of the arts will be organized by the Office of Cultural Affairs of the City of Vancouver under the patronage of His Worship, Mayor Sullivan. This represents formal recognition by the Mayor and the City of the importance of the arts to Vancouver.
The Alliance for Arts and Culture has been invited to manage the nomination and jury processes.
In the case of artistic disciplines, senior artists and others who are highly respected within their disciplines will carry out these processes.
We are now seeking nominations from the Vancouver arts community in two categories: Volunteerism and Corporate Support.
Eligibility Criteria for Nomination:
The Mayor’s Arts Awards are intended to acknowledge the significant impact and outstanding contribution to the arts in Vancouver of individuals or companies.
VOLUNTEERISM
The Nominee:
- Must have made a significant contribution, in a volunteer capacity, to one or more artists or arts organizations directly associated with the City of Vancouver.
- Should reside in Vancouver or, if currently living elsewhere, have been resident in Vancouver during a period of significant contribution to the arts.
BUSINESS SUPPORT
The Nominee:
- Must have made a significant contribution to one or more artists or arts organizations directly associated with the City of Vancouver.
- May be an individual or a business entity.
- If an individual, should reside in Vancouver or, if currently living elsewhere, have been resident in Vancouver during a period of significant contribution to the arts of the city.
- If a business entity, should maintain offices in Vancouver, or have done so during a period of significant contribution to the arts of the city.
- Please send your nominations in either or both of these categories (along with short supporting statements) to the Alliance. Please include the nominating person or organization.
Nominations must be received no later than Wednesday, April 23.
Submit nominations by mail or email to:
Mayor's Arts Awards Nomination
Alliance for Arts & Culture
Suite 100 - 938 Howe Street
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1N9
awb@allianceforarts.com
Email submissions should include the subject line "Nomination - Volunteerism" or "Nomination - Business Support".
2. Hundreds gather across the country to protest changes to CBC
Fans of classical music and concerned listeners of Radio 2 assembled across Canada on April 11 in a national day of protest to oppose the dismantling of the CBC Radio Orchestra and the proposed changes to CBC Radio. The hour-long protests were staged outside a host of CBC branches, including ones in St. John's, Halifax, Fredericton, Moncton, Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Regina.
In Vancouver, where an estimated 300 people gathered, speeches were given and protest songs were sung – including a modified rendition of “O Come All Ye Faithful”. For more information about the changes to CBC, visit the CBC website. If you would like to get involved, check out www.standonguardforcbc.ca, or attend the rally at the performance of the CBC Orchestra at the Chan Centre on April 20 at 2pm.
3. Debate rages on Bill C-10
The Alliance for Arts & Culture has added its voice to the thousands of art and service organizations rallying against Bill C-10, an omnibus tax bill before the Senate that would allow the Heritage Minister to withhold tax credits to television & film projects that the government deems “contrary to government policy”. The text of our letter is as follows:
“The Alliance for Arts & Culture is an advocacy and service organization for the cultural sector in the metro Vancouver area, a region widely recognized as the third largest producer of film & television in the world. On behalf of our 350+ member organizations, we would like to add our voice to those opposed to Bill C-10, which we perceive as a dangerous piece of legislation that could seriously hinder creative expression in this country. We are also appalled at the double standard within the bill that would impose restrictions on Canadian film & television producers while doing nothing to hold foreign producers to the same provisions.
“What is most troubling to us is the idea of a sole Minister (in this case, the Honourable Josée Verner) being able to withhold funds to projects that she deems “contrary to government policy”. We believe that this will create a culture of self-censorship within the film & television industry by forcing producers to second-guess what the Minister will and will not deem appropriate. We also believe that this sets a dangerous precedent of government intervention in the country’s creative industries, one that could spill into other avenues of artistic expression. Film & television producers already undergo extensive assessment when applying for tax credits, and laws are already in place to guard against the government investing in hateful and/or pornographic projects.
“To try and dismiss the concerns of artists and service organizations by saying that producers can replace public investment with private funds is unrealistic, and could have the reverse effect of driving film & television producers out of the country. Almost all arts organizations are heavily reliant on public support in order to carry out their mandate, and film & television companies are no exception.
“We strongly advise the Senate to remove these provisions from the bill. Because we do not wish to delay the passage of a tax measure that is otherwise uncontroversial, we join with organizations like the CLA and suggest that the best course of action is to send the bill back to the House of Commons without the offending sections.”
The bill has created a firestorm of controversy since it was passed by the House of Commons, and has been decried by film producers and arts organization as legislative censorship. The debate got even more muddied recently when the Chair of the Senate committee made an off-hand comment that was recorded on camera about how the Heritage Minister “hates” the bill. For more information about C-10 and its possible ramifications, please consult the Canadian Conference for the Arts’ excellent analysis.
4. SFU gets a hefty payday
Simon Fraser University was presented with a cheque for $13.3 million on March 28 as part of a $49.5 million investment by the B.C. government for its School of Contemporary Arts. The 11,845-square-metre school will occupy five stories on the corner of Abbott and West Hasting Street and will include public space, performance venues, teaching studios, a 400-seat theatre, and a multimedia lounge and lab for new media. The new facilities are supposed to be complete by September 2009 and are being built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver standards with recycled content and green roofs.
5. New DanceHouse launched at the Playhouse
Barbara Clausen of New Works and Jim Smith of Eponymous announced on April 10 the formation of a new joint presentation series called DanceHouse that will bring large-scale dance works back to Vancouver. “It’s just been remarkable that we haven’t had this level of subscription series, this high-calibre touring international work, coming here regularly enough,” Clausen said in an interview with the Georgia Straight. “I just think the city deserves it… Stuff is out there but it just doesn’t come here.” The series will launch May 2 and 3 with the Vancouver premiere of Compagnie Marie Chouinard’s Body_Remix/Goldberg Variations. All performances will take place at the Vancouver Playhouse. To buy tickets, visit the DanceHouse website.
6. Controversial sculpture will be moved
The Vancouver Parks Board commissioners voted unanimously on April 2 to remove the upside-down church sculpture Device To Root Out Evil from its current location at Harbour Green Park, citing blocked view corridors and mixed public response as the chief reasons. The controversial sculpture was one of 17 temporary pieces installed during the Vancouver Biennale in 2005. The commissioners hope to work with the Biennale during the next 60 days to see whether an alternative location can be found, although no announcements have yet been made.
7. Cultural Olympiad launches Artist Registry
VANOC has created an artist registry for individual artists and ensembles interested in participating in Cultural Olympiad and/or other Olympic and Paralympic Games programs. Designed as a programming resource, the registry will also serve as a central artist database that VANOC can reference for the development of future events. Submission guidelines are available at the VANOC site.
8. Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage reports on CBC review
Last year, the Alliance for Arts & Culture was one of 102 interest groups asked to provide testimony on the role and mission of the CBC to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage. A report of the committee’s findings and recommendations has now been released, and can be found online on the parliamentary website.
The committee compiled a list of recommendations which includes strengthening the CBC’s commitment to locally-made programming that reflects all regions of the country, and expanding their attempts at embracing new media so they can reach out to users of all ages. It also calls on the government to increase the Corporation’s core funding by making permanent a $60-million one-time allocation that has been awarded annually since 2002 and raising the core funding at a rate of $40 per capita.
9. Happy Arts & Culture week!
The BC Government has proclaimed April 20 to 26, 2008 to be Arts & Culture Week in the province. Show your support for your peers in the community by going to see a show or an exhibit this week. For more information, visit www.bcartsweek.ca.
10. Rich Newirth joins Cultural Services Department
The City of Vancouver welcomes Rich Newirth, who has joined the management team in the Cultural Services Department as Co-Director, Office of Cultural Affairs responsible for Policy, Planning and Infrastructure. Mr. Newirth hails from San Francisco where, as the Director of the San Francisco Arts Commission's Office of Cultural Affairs for twelve years, he was responsible for an extensive array of cultural programs and services.
11. Karen Kain steps down as Chair of Canada Council
In order to dedicate herself more fully to her position as Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada, Karen Kain has chosen to step down as Chair of the Canada Council. “I accepted this position because I passionately believe in the essential role of the Canada Council and thought I would be able to devote sufficient time, attention and energy to it,” she said in a letter to the Minister of Canadian Heritage. “Since my subsequent appointment as Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada, I have found it increasingly difficult to do justice to both positions.” Until a new Chair is appointed, Vice-Chair Simon Brault will assume the official duties of the office.
12. Emma Luna Davis appointed General Manager at Pi Theatre
Following the departure of Tammy Isaacson, who is moving to Edmonton to serve as General Manager of the Alberta Opera, Emma Luna Davis has been hired as General Manager of Pi Theatre. Davis will be joining new Artistic Director Richard Wolfe in planning the future of the critically acclaimed theatre company. Davis was most recently Outreach Program Coordinator at Arts Umbrella, and holds an MA in Arts and Media Management in a European Context from the Utrecht School of the Arts, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from UBC.
13. Pantages Theatre revitalization will cost $24 million
Developer Marc Williams announced on April 16 that restoring the Pantages Theatre at 144 East Hastings would cost $24 million, and would include a 650-seat theatre and 99-seat black box theatre/rehearsal space. The project would also create an additional 136 units of social housing that would be built on an adjacent building. If the developer receives approval for the project in the near future, construction could begin in December so that the facility could be ready for the 2010 Olympics. No details have been released about the level of civic, provincial and national support the project would receive.
The Pantages Theatre was built in 1907 by Alexander Pantages, and is the oldest survivor of a chain of vaudeville houses that once stretched across North America. It has been closed since 1994.
14. Calls and Opportunities
2009 & 2010 Cultural Olympiad Call for Proposals
Arts and cultural organizations interested in co-presenting an event, exhibition or installation within the Metro Vancouver and Sea-to-Sky corridor with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as part of the Cultural Olympiad during 2009 and 2010, are invited to submit their proposals. A single organization may submit their proposal alone or in collaboration with other arts and cultural organizations. One organization, however, should be designated as the lead proponent.
The proposed events must occur within these time frames:
* Cultural Olympiad 2009 February 1-March 21, 2009
* Cultural Olympiad 2010 January 22-February 28 and/or March 12-21, 2010
The lead proponent must have been in operation for a minimum of two years and fall under one of the following categories:
* Not-for-profit professional arts and cultural organization (circus, culinary Arts, dance, festival, film/video, interdisciplinary, literary arts, media arts, museum, music, opera, performance art, street arts, theatre, visual arts, other)
* Aboriginal arts and cultural organization
* Educational institution or museum
Proponents must have a history of presenting, exhibiting and/or producing professional arts and cultural events in a public context. Proponents should have ongoing artistic leadership and must pay artistic contributors for their services in accordance with generally accepted professional standards. For more information, view the detailed 2009 and 2010 proposal guidelines.
Deadlines for proposal submission:
* Cultural Olympiad 2009 proposal deadline:
April 30, 2008 at 18:00 (Pacific Daylight Time)
* Cultural Olympiad 2010 proposal deadline:
September 30, 2008 at 18:00 pm (Pacific Daylight Time)
15. Research & Literature
Enriching Our Work in Culture
Cultural Careers Council Ontario (CCCO)
http://www.workinculture.ca/news/index.cfm
A multi-disciplinary study focusing on professional development in Ontario’s cultural sector that has resonance for cultural workers in all regions.
Social Effects in Culture
Hill Strategies Research Inc.
http://www.hillstrategies.com/resources_details.php?resUID=1000265
Can visiting an art gallery or reading a book change your life? Exploratory in nature, Social Effects of Culture examines the relationship between four cultural activities (reading books, attending live performances, visiting art galleries and attending movie theatres) and specific social phenomena.
16. Media Spin
Artistic controversy reaches tipping point
The Globe and Mail
April 3, 2008
By Rod Mickleburgh
It was too hot for New York City; too hot for Stanford University. But a controversial, imposing sculpture by renowned international artist Dennis Oppenheim finally found a public home in laid-back Vancouver. Now, after 21/2 years in a prominent location near Stanley Park, the upside-down country church, denounced as “blasphemous” by some aghast Christians, is about to be unceremoniously dismantled, its future uncertain. Read more…
Actors bring star power to Senate to fight Bill C-10
The Globe and Mail
April 10, 2008
By Gloria Galloway
Sarah Polley and Wendy Crewson were in the witness chairs at the Senate banking committee yesterday to plead for an amendment to a bill they say will cut the legs out from under Canada's entertainment industry. Read more…
AGO to let high school students in free after school
CBC News
March 31, 2008
The Art Gallery of Ontario plans to let secondary students in free after school when it reopens in the fall. Read more…
17. Endquote
“For me, the case for subsidizing the arts isn't dependent on some demonstrated ability of public funding to put Canadian movies on the cutting edge or set up an assembly-line for masterpieces. Think of the mining industry. Most explorations don't strike gold — but this would hardly be an argument against subsidizing explorations. We assist prospectors through direct grants or tax concessions, fully expecting them to shift tons of dirt for each ounce of precious metal. It's in the nation's interest to keep explorations going, if only for the civilizing influence quests have on society, whether in mining or in art. The soil of culture needs to be constantly nourished for an occasional orchid to grow from it. Ultimately, having supported a thousand books, paintings or movies is amply justified by having supported one."
- George Jonas, The Truro Daily News
