Arts Notes
Aboriginal arts leaders gather for a day of sharing, learning and connection
On March 24, 2010, the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) hosted a day-long gathering and professional development workshop for Aboriginal arts leaders. Held at Toronto’s Gladstone Hotel, the event brought together Aboriginal artistic and administrative leaders from organizations receiving OAC support. They networked and shared with and learned from other Aboriginal arts leaders and from experienced arts administrators and thinkers.
Presentations included an opening talk by writer and activist Leanne Simpson, which set an inspirational tone for the day’s discussions. Leanne drew on compelling examples from Anishinabe storytelling, Aboriginal structures of governance and concepts of nationhood and belonging to illustrate the important role and work of Aboriginal arts and arts organizations within their broader communities.
Other presentations addressed models of organizational structure and governance, marketing, fundraising challenges specific to Aboriginal organizations, the development of partnerships and relationship building.
Arts consultant Jane Marsland offered insight into building staff as well as board engagement by rethinking the organizational model for not-for-profit arts organizations. Hot Docs Development Director Rose Bellosillo emphasized that, in order to be effective, an organization’s culture of fundraising must be rooted in an artist’s or organization’s enthusiasm for their work and be reflective of these values. Artist Jean Marshall recounted her experiences building relationships in remote communities in northwestern Ontario. Producer Denise Bolduc concluded the day’s presentations with reflections on the partnership and relationship-building experience in the context of the inaugural Planet IndigenUS festival, presented by the Harbourfront Centre in 2004.
Aboriginal Arts Officer Sara Roque and Aboriginal Arts Services Developer Danis Goulet facilitated the day’s discussions, and OAC Outreach and Development Manager Bushra Junaid and Theatre and Compass Officer Pat Bradley were also on hand. In all, it was a day that honoured the work of past artists, organizations and presenters from Ontario’s diverse Aboriginal community, but one that was also very much focused on growth and moving forward. Youth and audience engagement was a cross-cutting theme in many discussions.
The day finished with a tour of visual artist Travis Shilling’s latest work, a series entitled How to drown a fish, which was on display at the Gladstone.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive and revealed an appetite for more workshops of this kind across different issues and sectors. Participants described the day’s presentations as “inspiring” as well as “thoughtful” and noted that many discussions “planted the seeds for strengthening connections and the future of arts managers in the community.”
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New accounting template for CADAC
CADAC (Canadian Arts Data/Données sur les arts au Canada) has introduced a new accounting template that makes processing financial audits and completing CADAC financial forms easier. The template will serve as a toolkit and reference for auditors and arts organizations alike, allowing them to follow a predetermined chart of accounts. The chart is based on the structure of more than 60 models from various arts organizations. Auditors will be able to easily break down or group together specific financials, thus allowing an arts organization to better match its financial statements against each respective line item in the CADAC financial forms. This will also help the overall reconciliation process. Small to mid-size organizations are encouraged to use the new template, which is nonetheless not mandatory for future financial audits.
The CADAC Accounting Template is posted on the CADAC website landing page under the “Guides” heading.
CADAC is a web-based application dedicated to the collection, dissemination and analysis of financial and statistical information about Canadian arts organizations. For more information visit https://www.thecadac.ca.
For more details about the CADAC Accounting Template, please contact Myron Kozak, CADAC Associate FDC at associateFDC@thecadac.ca
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2011 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz shortlist announced
The 2011 shortlist for the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards was revealed on April 20. The 2011 winners will be announced at Toronto’s Agnes Macphail Public School, 112 Goldhawk Trail on June 1, 2011.
This year marks the award’s 35th anniversary. The inaugural winner was Mordecai Richler’s Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang, in 1972.
This year’s shortlist represents some of Canada’s best-known children’s book authors as well as some newcomers. Read the press release.
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Ontario announces finalists for the 2011 Premier’s Awards For Excellence In The Arts
This year’s ceremony will take place on June 9, 2011 in Toronto and will be emceed by internationally acclaimed jazz performer, Molly Johnson.
Established in 2006, the Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts celebrate the outstanding achievements, innovation and creativity of the province’s talented artists. The annual award showcases Ontario’s thriving cultural industry and encourages the development of promising creative leaders.
List of 2011 Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts Finalists
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Canadian Stage launches Artist Educator Roster Online
The Artist Educator Roster Online (AERO) will profile artist educators located in the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding regions, highlighting their unique expertise and experiences. Interested parties need to contact Canadian Stage to browse the roster. People will be able to search for artists with particular skill sets for hire and contact them directly to arrange bookings. Artist Educators will be able to register and upload a customized profile outlining their arts education skills and available workshops.
Contact Canadian Stage to find out how to get involved. To request an organization login in advance of the launch, or for more information about creating an artist educator profile, email aero@canadianstage.com.
Details are also available at www.canadianstage.com/artseducators
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OAC-funded filmmaker wins 2011 Children’s Film Festival award in Seattle
Congratulations to filmmaker Gloria Ui Young Kim for winning the Children’s Jury Prize for Best Live Action Short Film at the 2011 Children’s Film Festival Seattle for The Auction, a film funded by the Ontario Arts Council.
Produced by Sandra Paolucci, The Auction has won several awards, including the LIFT award and Fuji Best Film Award at the 2010 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival and the Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film at the Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children.
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Staff comings and goings
We are pleased to announce that Pat Bradley has been appointed OAC CADAC Coordinator. This appointment recognizes the responsibilities that Pat has taken on since CADAC launched in 2008. Pat will continue to manage the operational aspect of CADAC as it relates to OAC, liaise with our internal IT department on support needs for CADAC and keep staff up to date on CADAC enhancements and changes to accounting practices. CADAC is a web-based application dedicated to the collection, dissemination and analysis of financial and statistical information about Canadian arts organizations. For more information visit https://www.thecadac.ca.
Best wishes to Compass and Touring Program Assistant Colleen Dauncey and Communications Coordinator Claire Pfeiffer, who have moved on to new ventures!
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