VAAA FACT SHEET
9705-04
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Cultural Advisory Sector Initiative - On December 6, 1996 Canada and Alberta
announced a new agreement on labour market development. The essence of the
agreement is that the Province will design and deliver programs and services
for the unemployed which were previously the responsibility of the federal
government.
Many people in culture and the arts see this change as an exciting
opportunity to refine and enhance professional development and education for
artists and cultural workers.
On February 12, 1997 an information meeting was held at the Alberta Museums'
Association office in Edmonton with some Alberta cultural organizations,
Provincial Arts Service Organizations, and representatives from the Cultural
Human Resources Council, Human Resources Development Canada, Alberta
Advanced Education and Career Development, as well as Alberta Community
Development. The consensus was to explore the involvement of the cultural
sector in this devolution.
An April 12, 1997 meeting in Banff further consolidated the determination to
see the arts and cultural workers in Alberta as full partners in the design,
delivery and evaluation of an effective system which will include, but not
be exclusive to, work experience, assisted job placement, funding for
training, and assistance towards self-employment.
Representatives from a broad section of Alberta's cultural, professional and
service organizations, arts education institutions and unions met to discuss
the need for broad collaboration on a range of human resource issues. Areas
of consensus were defined as well as common objectives in professional
development and training. The following were declared to be areas for
collaboration and development:
_Cultural Policy Development_ - The province's cultural organizations agree
that they would all benefit if they collaboratively and with the input of
other stakeholders (government, educational institutions, corporate sector,
individual artists and representatives from the general public) were to
participate in a cultural policy development process that would address the
needs of cultural creators, producers and consumers for the 21st century.
_Cultural Labour Force Develoopment_ - The diversity of the cultural sector
is both a weakness and a strength. The sector embraces the individual
creator as well as the large, professionally-staffed arts organization; the
dance enthusiast and the museum professional. All are united by their
common desire to enhance and enrich the quality of life of Albertans.
Collaboration among the range of cultural organizations will reap benefits
not only for the partners but also their audience, the employee, the arts
and cultural industries, and the self employed.
_Data Gathering_ - As a result of information sharing, it was realized that
all of the players around the table collect information on their sectors.
It was decided that this data should be pooled so that individual
organizations could learn from each other and, potentially, share resources.
The need for a central location to collect and make available information
about current and planned resources was identified.
_Profile of Alberta's Cultural Sector_ - It was decided that the province's
cultural organizations could best accomplish their common purpose to educate
and enrich Albertans if a comprehensive register of information about the
sector (including workforce statistics, capital and operating revenues,
economic impact on their communities, demographics of the cultural
workforce, etc.) were to be developed and needs were to be assessed for
strategic planning purposes.
In attendance at April 12, 1997 meeting in Banff: Kathy Classen - Theatre
Alberta; Susan Sax - Visual Arts Alberta Association; Bobbi Westman -
Alberta Dance Alliance; Jami Drake - National Screen Institute; Katherine
Shute - Book Publishers Association of Alberta/Alberta Cultural Industries
Association; Lois Irvine & Adriana Davies - Alberta Museums Association; Dan
Routly - I.A.T.S.E. Local 212 (Calgary); Colin Jackson - Calgary Centre for
the Performing Arts; Tim Christison - Calgary Professional Arts Alliance;
Sandra Vida - Artist Run Network; Sara Diamond & Don Stein - The Banff
Centre for the Arts; Steve Dyck - Alberta College of Art and Design.
The purpose of this article is to maintain inclusivity throughout the
process and to invite your participation in developing a strong partnership.
Please contact anyone on the attendance list for further information.
SHORT BITES:
Allied PASOs - Kathy Classen of Theatre Alberta has completed her term as
chair of the Allied Provincial Arts Service Organizations. Thank you Kathy
for a job well done. The incoming chair for 97/98 is Susan Sax of Visual
Arts Alberta Association.
CCA Election Strategy Kits available at the VAAA office.
Alberta Galleries magazine debuted May 1997 providing listing of current art
exhibitions province-wide. Complimentary copies available at galleries,
hotels, visitor information centres, VAAA or call Fred Milsum at
1-888-337-0907; email: [log in to unmask]
Modes of Abstraction Panel Discussion, Edmonton Art Gallery. Thursday 15
May. 7:30 p.m. Featuring Roald Naasgard, Jeffrey Spalding, Isla Burns,
Denis Gautier.
The Financial Post Awards for Business in the Arts - Nominations being
accepted. Deadline: May 23. Contact: The Council for Business and the
Arts in Canada, 165 University Ave., Suite 705, Toronto, ON, M5H 3B8.
(416)869-3016. or VAAA office for copies of nomination form.
City Arts Centre, Edmonton, Summer '97 registration for classes begin May
21. Contact: 496-6955.
Alberta Potters' Association Annual General Meeting. Saturday 24 May 1997.
Bowman Arts Centre, Lethbridge. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Fifth Watercolor Wilderness workshop at Silverton Resort, Slocan Lake. June
8 - 13. Sponsor: Alberta College of Art & Design. $775.00 includes all
accomodation, food, lodging and services. Contact: 484-7640.
Canadian Conference of the Arts Annual General Meeting. Friday 20 June
1997. 12-1 p.m., Winnipeg.
Exhibitions:
Calgary
- Nickel Arts Museum:
Painting in Monteal 1915-1930 to May 23;
1997 Bachelor of Fine Arts Graduating Exhibition to June 8;
The University Campus in Canada to May 25.
- Stride Gallery:
Arina Ailincai, Presence through Absence, May 2-24;
Silent Art Auction May 30, preview/reception May 28, 6-9 p.m.
Stony Plain, AB
- Opperthauser Gallery:
Michael Mott, Maureen Olesky, Heather Edwards, May 1-26;
- Gallery Restaurant:
Memorial Composite High School student work, May 14-June 15.
Opportunities:
* Executive Director, Alberta Craft Council.
Deadline: May 15. Contact: 482-1347.
*Executive Director, Ukrainian Cultural & Educational Centre, Winnipeg.
Deadline: May 16.
*Studio Arts position at Concordia Univeristy.
Deadline: May 19. Contact: 514-848-4262.
* Artist & Artisans who use recycled/reused products are invited to
celebrate Environmental Week at Bow Valley Square, Calgary, June 2 - 6.
10 complimentary display spaces available.
Deadline May 20. Contact 261-0621, Local 147.
* The Great Wall: A Third Variation, Medicine Hat Museum & Art Gallery
juried exhibition of ceramic wall pieces by Alberta artists.
Deadline: May 20. Contact: Allan Jensen 527-6266; fax 528-2464.
* Artists in the Environment, Tree Planting, Calgary. Saturday May 24.
Contact: Susan Fae Haglund 237-5574.
*Art Acquisition Project for Francis Winspear Centre for Music.
Deadline: June 13. Contact: 429-1992.
Susan E. Sax
Executive Director
Visual Arts Alberta Association
P.O. Box 52011
8210-109 St.
Edmonton, AB, T6G 2T5
(403)433-7166; fax (403)439-8222
1-800-635-3187
email: [log in to unmask]
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