The Ontario Arts Council (OAC), today announced the National and International Touring and Residencies Pilot program for artists and arts organizations who have plans to tour either across Canada or internationally in the coming months.
“Over the years and most recently during our strategic planning consultations, we have realized that there is a need for a program that supports touring outside of Ontario,” said John Brotman, OAC Executive Director. “Now that we have more resources, I am delighted that Ontario artists will have additional opportunities to gain greater visibility for their work.”
"Through the Ontario Arts Council, the Ontario government provides vital support to many of Ontario’s talented artists and arts organizations," said Aileen Carroll, Minister of Culture. "By increasing the OAC's annual budget by 140 per cent over the past five years, our government is creating programs like this that will provide capacity for Ontario's creative talent to shine on the world stage and bolster this sector of the economy."
The National and International Touring and Residencies Pilot program will support artists and arts organizations who have touring, exhibition, distribution or residency opportunities outside of Ontario. The pilot program is an interim stage while we develop the full-fledged program to be launched in time for the next fiscal year.
The program information and application form will be available as of August 1, 2008.
If you have questions about this program, please contact Mark Hammond, Interim National and International Touring Officer, at 416-646-7466 or at mhammond@arts.on.ca
Services in French are available by contacting Larissa Momryk, Program Assistant, 416-969-7412, toll free 1-800-387-0058 extension 7412, lmomryk@arts.on.ca.
The National and International Touring and Residencies pilot program has two categories:
Touring Category
- The goal for the pilot’s touring category is to increase Ontario’s artistic visibility beyond our provincial borders and raise the profile of Ontario artists both nationally and internationally. This is a multidisciplinary program with no deadlines.
- Proposals will be accepted as of August 1, and will be assessed on an on-going basis.
Residency Category
- The residency category of this program was created to support Ontario artists who have opportunities for creative residencies in Canada or abroad.
- In addition, OAC will be exploring residency relationships with other countries. For example,OAC has also established a relationship with the Akademie Schloss Solitude (www.akademie-solitude.de)in Stuttgart, Germany.
- Artists interested in applying for the 2009-2011 residency at the Akademie Schloss Solitude should contact the Akademie directly as the deadline is October 31, 2008.
- In support of OAC’s residency initiative, the University of Toronto, has offered living accommodation for artists from abroad who wish to work in Toronto or collaborate with Ontario artists.
Interim National and International Touring Officer hired
OAC has hired Mark Hammond as Interim National and International Touring Officer on a 
part-time contract. Mark has worked in the performing arts for 35 years, in Toronto, Montreal, New York, Amsterdam and Antwerp.
He founded the Canada Dance Festival (Ottawa) in 1987 and over 20 years he presented over 50 different artists including Philip Glass, Sankai Juku, Cullberg Ballet, Kodo Drummers, Diamanda Galas and John Paul Jones.
Mark was the Canadian line producer for the 1987 Holland in Canada Festival (Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto).
He was the founding manager for Dancemakers, (Toronto) and was manager for Richard Rose’s Necessary Angel Theatre (Toronto) followed by a period as the general director for LaLaLa Human Steps (Montreal).
He was part of the 1993 Europe Culture Capital team (Antwerp) where he was responsible for programming young artists from 15 cities around the world. Currently Mark is the director of programming at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.
National and International Touring program inquiries:
Mark Hammond
Interim National and International Touring Officer
416-646-7466
mhammond@arts.on.ca
Services in French:
Larissa Momryk
Program Assistant
416-969-7412
toll free 1-800-387-0058 extension 7412
lmomryk@arts.on.ca
The program information and application form will be available as of
August 1, 2008.
For more information, please contact:
Kirsten Gunter, Director of Communications
416-969-7403 / 1-800-387-0058, ext. 7403 or kgunter@arts.on.ca
The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) is the province of Ontario’s primary funding body for professional arts activity. Since 1963, OAC has played a vital role in promoting and assisting the development of the arts and artists for the enjoyment and benefit of Ontarians.