The Newsletter of the English-Language Arts Network
Director's Message
ELAN began as an ad hoc dialogue between artists. Connecting people is still its greatest strength. During the past year we have spoken with several hundred members who are looking for opportunities to meet other artists, either in a formal way to brainstorm issues that affect us all, or informally at social events to share a drink and get to know new people. ELAN's 2nd Annual General Meeting, scheduled for Monday November 13, will be a lively opportunity to make your voice heard and help organize some stimulating events for the coming year.
Electing ELAN's board of directors is the major business of the AGM. You will receive nomination forms in the mail this week to put forward the names of people you trust to bring ideas and energy to ELAN's board. A number of proven and committed artists have already agreed to stand for election. It is important to be present at the AGM to elect the strongest possible board that will guide ELAN's growth as well as turn this fledgling network into a true community by organizing social events and regular encounters between artists.
As those who attended last year's inaugural AGM can attest, the party after the business meeting was a memorable gathering. The more flamboyant members took turns getting up on stage to amuse, mesmerize and surprise. Others enjoyed the performances over drinks and snacks. You are once again invited to sing, dance and perform (see details below) or relax and enjoy the show. Mark it in your calendar—the afternoon (business) and early evening (party) of Monday November 13.
Guy Rodgers
Executive Director
What's New?
ASK
In the past couple of weeks ELAN has hired four skilled and versatile people to work on the Arts Services Kit (ASK). This project is funded by Canadian Heritage and goes right to the heart of why ELAN was created—to share resources and contacts between artists. The ASK project has two components. The first part is a directory of service providers, encompassing everything from translators and web designers to people who rent performance equipment or sell art supplies. If you know people who provide services that are useful to artists, please encourage them to enter their information on the page provided on ELAN's website. The ASK project team will be collecting this information over the coming months. The second component of ASK is a directory of services already provided by other professional associations, as well as financial support available from government agencies and foundations. If you know someone who is very good at applying for funding, we would like to talk to them to create a user's guide of dos and donts to successfully apply for grants.
RAAV workshop
ELAN has been working closely with RAAV (le regroupement des artistes en arts visuels) over the past year to provide better support for English-language visual artists. Significant parts of RAAV's website are now available in English. This fall RAAV is offering the first ever professional development workshop in English. If you are a visual artist, see details below and take advantage of this important new opportunity.
A Change of Staff
ELAN's office manager, Aparna Sanyal, will be stepping down in early October, although she will continue to edit ELANews. In the short term we are dividing the office manager's job between a couple of people who have stepped forward to ensure smooth running of ELAN during this transition period. We are looking to hire someone before the end of the year to take over as full-time office manager. The job is both interesting (new projects and contact with members) and mundane (data entry on Simply Accounting and keeping the files in order.) It is a demanding position that for the moment is not extremely well paid. The successful candidate will have a strong sense of community and a desire to help move ELAN to the next level. If this sounds like you, please send a CV marked "office manager" to admin@quebec-elan.org.
We are pleased to announce that Aimee Velle has joined us as an intern until the end of the year. Aimee worked with ELAN over the summer contracting members and collecting missing info like email addresses and bios. She is currently pursuing a masters program in music at McGill and is helping us in the office Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
back to topOpportunities for Artists
Artists Wanted
Invitation to Perform at ELAN AGM
Short performances by artists in all disciplines were one of the most memorable features of the Quebec Arts Summit and ELAN's inaugural AGM last year. As part of the 2006 AGM, ELAN members are again invited to amuse, mesmerize or surprise their peers with short performances after the business meeting. Please send a brief description of your performance, and estimated duration in an email marked 'party time' to monika@quebec-elan.org.
Calls for Submissions
Concordia Institute's 2007 Summer Program Brochure Cover: Call for Submissions:
Concordia University's Institute in Management and Community Development is accepting submissions from visual artists for the cover design/illustration of its 2007 Summer Program brochure.
Deadline: Monday, October 9th, 2006
Information and Guidelines at http://instdev.concordia.ca
Gallery Seeking Artists—Invitation to Submit
ELAN members Jane and Cliff Caron are expanding the operating format of their company - Editions Mouton Rose Inc. - with the October 2006 opening of "Mouton Rose Galerie d'Art du Quebec" in Ormstown. The Galerie at 57 Lambton will showcase art from both emerging and professional Quebec artists and will also provide an on-line gallery combined with an agressive sales and marketing effort on behalf of the artists. Artists working in all mediums are invited to contact the gallery for more information, or may make an on-line submission by sending 3 jpeg samples of your work as well as an artist bio to: janecaron@bellnet.ca
Loneliness Anthology: Call for Submissions
Members of the Quebec Writers' Federation are seeking your true, inspirational personal essays for an uplifting anthology on Loneliness. Writers should describe the circumstances surrounding their experiences, with particular emphasis on coping strategies used to offset the emotions.
Submission Guidelines:
Up to 12 pages double-spaced. Please include email address, if applicable. Manuscripts not returned.
Deadline November 20, 2006.
Submissions may be sent by email to: loneanth@sympatico.ca or mailed directly to:
Loneliness Anthology,
P.O.Box 404
Westmount Station
QC H4Z 2T5
NO DAMN GOOD: Call for Submissions
NO DAMN GOOD is currently looking for submissions of visual art, film, writing and music for their Fall/Winter issue of NO DAMN GOOD. Remember you must live or work in NDG to submit work. Please pass along the word to as many folks as you can. Please contact: enquiries@jeremywexler.com for more details.
REEL DIVERSITY: Call for Proposals
The National Film Board in partnership with CBC Newsworld invites emerging filmmakers of colour to enter the 5th annual REEL DIVERSITY competition. Three promising filmmakers will be selected to direct their first professional documentary with the NFB followed by a national broadcast on CBC Newsworld's The Lens. Proposals can be on any topic … we're looking for passion, creativity, new perspectives, compelling characters and great storytelling.
Here's how it works: Applicants from across Canada send in their proposals. Fifteen semi-finalists are short-listed to develop their ideas with an NFB producer, and up to 8 finalists get to attend a 3-day intensive training session. Three of these projects are then chosen for production and a national broadcast on CBC Newsworld's The Lens.
Deadline for submissions is October 27, 2006.
Details on eligibility, how to submit your proposal and dates/locations for upcoming information sessions at: www.nfb.ca/reeldiversity
OR
Call the regional NFB Production Centre closest to you:
Halifax: 902-426-7351
Montreal: 514-283-9537
Toronto: 416-973-6856
Winnipeg: 204-984-7519
Edmonton: 780-495-3573
Vancouver: 604-666-3838
VANOC Seeks Artist to Design Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Mascot(s)
Artists from around the world now have the opportunity of a lifetime to design a mascot(s) that will achieve worldwide fame while also achieving a defining professional accomplishment. The mascot(s) will feature prominently in hundreds of Games communications and materials from advertising and publications to websites and merchandise. The mascot(s) will also act as the 'real-life' ambassador for the Games, appearing in animated films and at various events around the country and during the Games.
Design applicants can find the Request for Proposal (RFP) onthe Vancouver 2010 website at: vancouver2010.com/mascot and BC Bid (www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca). The RFP is open to qualified professionals and/or companies specializing in illustration, animation, graphic design, fine arts or other related fields.
Proposals will be accepted from September 28th–November 1st, 2006
For further information:
Chris Brumwell, Vancouver 2010, (778) 328-6269;
Mary Fraser, Vancouver 2010, (778) 328-3667
Employment Opportunities
HERITAGE PROJECT LEADER SOUGHT
The Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network (QAHN) requires the services of a writer-researcher to coordinate development of a major public history project in the Greater Montreal Region. The goals of this project are to:
1) Learn and share stories for publication in Quebec Heritage News magazine that relate the history of Montreal's English-speaking ethno-cultural communities
2) Identify historic sites, landmarks, buildings, documents, archives, artifact collections and other resources in Montreal which are significant to English-speakers who may not define their heritage strictly in terms of British ancestry
3) Engage members of Montreal's English-speaking communities in a lasting dialogue about their identity as Quebecers.
Organize and stage a major symposium in celebration of Quebec's multicultural heritage.
Reporting to the executive director and working in collaboration with key volunteers in the heritage sector, the selected candidate will be directly responsible for leading QAHN's community research and outreach activities during the course of this six-month project.
This is a salaried contract position with an anticipated start date of October 11, 2006. Compensation will be based on a 30-hour work week at a rate of $21.50 per hour.
Candidates considered for this project must possess a flair for writing, exceptional organizational skills, the ability to work independently, a keen interest in heritage issues and experience acting in a leadership capacity.
Basic Qualifications:
- University-level education with preference for related subjects, such as journalism, history, social sciences, cultural studies or communications. Excellent command of French.
Please send résumés by Oct. 1, 2006 to:
Dwane Wilkin, Executive Director, Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network
400-257 Queen St.
Lennoxville QC J1M 1K7
The Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network is a non-profit, non-partisan umbrella organization whose mission is to help advance knowledge of the history and culture of English-speaking society in Quebec.
Reader/Editor Wanted
A first-time novelist is seeking someone to read, comment on, proofread and edit his 350-page novel manuscript. Fee negotiable. Published author/writer preferred. Please contact Berhane Teoume-Lessane at 514-846-3230 or by fax at: 514-846-1709.
Scholarships
MuchMusic Annual Aboriginal Youth Scholarship
This $5,000 scholarship*—created in partnership with AYN (Aboriginal Youth Network) - will be awarded to the individual who best demonstrates skill, talent, excellence and enthusiasm in pursuing a future in the broadcast industry.
Open to all Aboriginal Canadians under 29.
Deadline: November 30, 2006
* To go toward tuition, payable directly to a post-secondary educational institution of student's choice.
For more information, please go to: http://www.muchmusic.com/proudtosupport/aboriginalyouthscholarship
ELAN Goody Bag
Ticket Discount for ELAN Members
Whip Theatre offers ELAN members 'Industry Discounts' to Peccadilloes, an evening of one-act plays by Jon Rannells from Oct.11-28 at Theatre Ste. Catherine, 264 Ste. Catherine St. east. Tickets are $12. *Reservations: 514-284-3939 or theatrestecatherine@gmail.com* - just say you are a member of ELAN.
back to topMember News
Want to know what your fellow ELAN members are up to? This month, we have info about the following members:
Jane Caron
ELAN members Jane and Cliff Caron are expanding the operations of their company, Editions Mouton Rose, Inc., with the opening of a new gallery dedicated to the work of Quebec artists. Both emerging and professional artists with portfolio will feature their work in the Ormstown gallery beginning in October, and corporate sponsorships will help support a monthly "First Friday" initiative in which students and organizations will be featured over a weekend for fundraising and feed-back from the community.
Mario Pompetti
Mario Pompetti's latest cd is now out. 'Jazz Spaghettini Modern' is an acid jazz mix with funky beats. The title track Jazz Spaghettini is already a favorite on major sites in several countries, including Russia. The CD may be found in all digital stores, and you can check it out at http://www.isound.com/music/mario_pompetti/. Pompetti has also released the following CDs this year: The Junkie, LiLuLu, House Party, I'm the Invisible Man. They are all online now. Please go to: http://music.yahoo.com/release/34524209.
Dynamic Theater Factory
DYNAMIC THEATER FACTORY has recently moved to a beautiful space, newly renovated, a quick 5-minute walk from the St-Henri Metro, with FREE parking available. Programmes resume for the 2006–07 training session as of September 30, 2006, with auditions taking place September 25 and (for latecomers) October 6th. This year, training is available in either French or English and ALL 2006–07 DTF members will be featured in the end-of-year DTF Showcase Festival at Geordie Theatre from May 25–27, 2007! For information, please call (514) 393-3383 or visit www.dtfonline.com.
back to topWorkshops & Seminars
MUSIC
MUSIC / ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY SEMINARS
MUSIC INDUSTRY IN A NUTSHELL
(4 hours – 1pm-5pm: Saturday, October 21)
An overview of the different aspects of the music business in relation to the general entertainment industry. Topics include: the artist's relationship with management, record companies, concert promoters, merchandising enterprises, radio/video broadcasters, song publishers, trade associations, musician unions and artistic organizations.
the business of songwriting
(4 hours – 1pm-5pm: Saturday, November 4)
Learn how to legally protect your song ideas and get your words and music published. Discover the fundamental and essential provisions of music publishing and copyright, including standard agreements and contracts used by professionals in the music industry.
For additional info contact www.markvinet.com/law. Mark Vinet is a fluently bilingual (English-French) entertainment and copyright lawyer, and co-founder and former Executive Vice-President of MPV Entertainment (Kafka Records, Polliwog Festival, music book e-commerce, publishing, management, recipient of several gold and multi-platinum records, ADISQ Félix awards and JUNO nominations). He practices law in Montreal and can be reached at: 450-510-1102 or mark@markvinet.com.
Performing Arts
Acting Workshops
Montreal School of Performing Arts offers an after-school program for children ages 6–10, and for teens ages 11–15. So that we may introduce you to our various workshops, we welcome you to join us for a free trial class, where young actors are invited to explore the world of acting and theatre.
MSOPA is taking a huge step forward in our work towards fulfilling the needs of our constantly growing student population by taking up residence at a brand new location, one that will allow us to grow and develop as an artistic community. Our teachers are always hard at work developing new courses to better offer students the best training available. As always, learning and education are priorities at Montreal School of Performing Arts, and we strive towards excellence together. We tailor our workshops to the specific needs of our students, offering classes for children, teenagers, and adults with varying levels of interest in acting.
DATE: Wednesday, Oct 4th
TIME: 5 PM to 6:30PM
LOCATION: 3975 Notre Dame Ouest (Metro Place St. Henri)
ADMISSION: FREE
contact: Josa Maule info@msopa.com
Visual Arts
Drawing and Painting Class with Christine Sherrington
Hawkesbury will be your destination if you're inclined to learn about drawing and painting with Christine Sherrington. Classes will run on Wednesday evenings, starting September 20th, 2006. Spaces are limited (8-10) for this classroom, so consider signing up soon. If you are interested in learning design fundamentals in a non-fundamentalist fashion, please contact Le Signet/The Wizard Art Shoppe in Hawkesbury, or e-mail csherrington@sympatico.ca.
Wednesday, Sep 20 to Wednesday, Nov 8
contact: Christine Sherringtoncsherrington@sympatico.ca
Intertribal Youth Centre
Nadia Myre and the Intertribal Youth Centre
Inter-Tribal Youth Centre (Montreal Friendship Centre) Corner of Ontario and St. Laurent
Free Workshop
Drop in workshop every Wednesday afternoon from 1:30-4:30 with Artist Nadia Myre. Various art projects are presented and developed on an ongoing basis. This free workshop is open to all youth between the ages of 14 and 29. Please contact the Project Leader at the Inter-Tribal Youth Centre for more information. tel: 514-499-1854
Wednesday, Aug 2 to Wednesday, Dec 13
RAAV - English-Language Professional Development Workshops for Artists
The Regroupement des artistes en arts visuels (RAAV) is pleased to inform you about its new training sessions offered in English. These training sessions are open to all professional artists who specialize in the visual arts, whether or not they are members of RAAV. The sessions are limited to 12 participants, so we encourage you to register as soon as possible. RAAV's members will have priority.
A. INDIVIDUAL COACHING ON TECHNIQUES AND DEVELOPING YOUR ARTISTIC PRACTICE
The objective of this training is to enable artists specializing in the visual arts to acquire knowledge of a practical, technical nature in an area complementary or related to their own, so that they can develop their practice according to a personalized program that meets their particular needs.
Participants suggest the training they would like to receive and the instructor or expert (after contacting the individual) they would like to work with. If the individual's qualifications are recognized by the selection committee, the participant's choice of instructor will be granted. Otherwise, the committee will recommend available resources.
Deadline for receiving applications: October 30, 2006 (For application guidelines please contact RAAV - see details below)
Training period: between November 21, 2006 and February 15, 2007
Length of session : no more than 16 hours per artist
Fee: 75 $
B. COPYRIGHT AND CONTRACT NEGOTIATION IN THE VISUAL ARTS
Two main laws will be examined: the Copyright Act (federal) and the Act respecting the professional status of artists in the visual arts, arts and crafts and
literature, and their contracts with promoters (Québec). Related matters, such as collective administration, taxation and succession, will also be discussed.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Me Vivianne De Kinder is a lawyer specializing in copyright and contract negotiation.
September 30th – October 1 2006, RAAV's office
Length of training : 14 hours, from 9 am to 5 pm
Fee: 45 $
C. TAKING CARE OF TAXES …
The objectives of this workshop are to:
1) Allow participants to develop a basic accounting system for effective financial management.
2) Differentiate the various sources of income.
3) Pinpoint the tax deductions artists are entitled to make in calculating their income.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Pascale Chèvrefils has been a lecturer since 1996 at HÉC Montréal, where she teaches accounting management in arts endeavours in the graduate program in Cultural Organization Management.
The workshop will take place on January 27-28 2006.
Length of training : 14 hours, from 9 am to 5 pm
Fee: 45 $
For application guidelines for the above workshops, and for all other information, please contact RAAV (co-ordinates below), or visit our web site: www.raav.org (see “Formation”)
MARIE-HÉLÈNE PARANT, Professional Development Coordinator
Email: formation@raav.org | Web site: www.raav.org
Tel: 514-866-7101, ext. 23 (Tuesday and Wednesday)
Writing/Publishing
BOOK WRITING INDUSTRY SEMINARS
HOW TO WRITE, PUBLISH AND SELL YOUR OWN BOOK
(4 hours – 9am-1pm Saturday, October 21)
Embark on your own publishing journey and learn how to write and self-publish your own book. Discover the ins-and-outs of copyright registrations and clearances, ISBN, CIP, bar-codes, book pricing, book cover designs, photographs, graphics, book printers, Internet, electronic publishing, e-books, CD-ROMs, audio books.
MARKETING, PROMOTING AND DISTRIBUTING YOUR OWN BOOK
(4 hours – 9am-1pm Saturday, November 4)
Learn the easy yet effective tools used in marketing successful books. Avoid common self-publishing mistakes; prepare a marketing and promotional plan and budget. Learn about public relations, media coverage, free advertising and book signings. Negotiate distribution contracts and learn how to deal with book stores and set up your own book-selling web site.
THE BUSINESS OF SONGWRITING
(4 hours – 1pm-5pm Saturday, November 4)
Writers of lyrics and poems will learn how to legally protect their song ideas and get their words published. Discover the fundamental and essential provisions of music publishing and copyright, including standard agreements and contracts used by professionals in the music industry.
THE BUSINESS OF WRITING BOOKS
(4 hours – 9am-1pmSaturday, November 18)
Learn how to legally protect your story ideas and get your book published. Learn about literary agents, publishers, editors, translators, trade associations and literary organizations, highlighting crucial reference information. Find an established literary agent and negotiate book-publishing contracts. Explore the different types of jobs and career opportunities available in the book industry, including an overview of the different aspects of the book publishing business in relation to the general entertainment industry.
THE BUSINESS OF WRITING SCRIPTS FOR MOVIES and TV
(4 hours – 1pm-5pm Saturday, November 18)
Learn how to legally protect and sell your script, screenplay, teleplay, and story ideas. Discover fundamental steps involved in approaching writer unions/guilds, agents, producers and studios. Learn the essential aspects of copyright, standard deals and the contracts used by professionals in the film/television industry, highlighting important reference information. Includes an overview of the different aspects of the motion picture/television industry in relation to the general entertainment industry.
For additional info contact www.markvinet.com/law. Mark Vinet is a fluently bilingual (English-French) entertainment and copyright lawyer, and co-founder and former Executive Vice-President of MPV Entertainment (Kafka Records, Polliwog Festival, music book e-commerce, publishing, management, recipient of several gold and multi-platinum records, ADISQ Félix awards and JUNO nominations). He practices law in Montreal and can be reached at: 450-510-1102 or mark@markvinet.com.
back to topELAN Classifieds
Automobile for Sale
Dark Blue Subaru Legacy 1999
Second owner, original paint (dark blue), a/c, 4 WD, 210,000km, new brakes front and back, 4 winter tires, new battery, very clean, very well maintained by Subaru specialty garage. Price $6400. Please contact johnmargolis@hotmail.com.
Booking Agent/Band Manager/Record Label Wanted
Elektrip is a great original Anglo-Quebecois funky-electro-rock group seeking to form a good professional management team (booking agent, band manager, record label). Please feel free to check out our MP3s on the Elektrip website at: www.elektrip.ca. You can contact lead singer Eugene Brotto at (450)242-2494 or (514)554-2588, or at eugenebrotto@hotmail.com.
Flight Cases for Sale
Two used metal flight cases, suitable for drum kits or other equipment, for sale. Price negotiable. Please contact ELAN office at 514-935-3312 for further information.
Photos for Sale
Joshua Radu - Photos for the home or office, Joshua Radu Gallery - Pieces are sold to collectors via exhibitions in alternative venues, at special events, or by personal appointment (514-995-5674) and through the website www.josephradu.com.
Retreat
The Peacemaker School of Spiritual Healing Canada Presents UNVEILING THE MASK
Three Day Fall Retreat In the Laurentiens Centre de Retraite L'Ermitage
September 15–17, 2006
Please contact Rosa Bergola, Dean of The Peacemaker School of Spiritual Healing Canada
(Rosa can be reached at 514-251-1511 or by e-mail at rosa@bellnet.ca)
Studio Space For Rent
Beautiful Studio Space to Rent
DYNAMIC THEATER FACTORY'S bright and beautiful new studio space (approx. 1,800 sq. ft.) is available to rent, weekdays, for actors and/or dancers needing a rehearsal or workshop space. Very reasonable and negotiable fees. Mirrors on one wall; floating floor, however NO tap or flamenco shoes. For information, please call (514) 393-3383. www.dtfonline.com
Create, expose yourself, and help support the non-profit arts community while you're at it.
OFF Interarts is a charming 850 sq. foot multi-use studio space and exhibition window located in the heart of Montreal's Mile-End. Not for profit, and managed by artists for artists, both studio and window are available to rent at reasonable rates. For information and reservations, please contact Monika Majewski at 514-274-3222 or info@offinterarts.org, or swing by 5143/45 Blvd. St-Laurent.
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