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Updates on ELAN’s Digital Solutions Work: ARTS2U

Since 2014, ELAN has been researching the shifting arts media landscape. Our findings, including our 2018 Digital Solutions report, have shown that creators and producers lack tools and time to capture the possibilities of new technologies to promote their work.

In fall 2018, with funding from Industry, Science, and Economic Development Canada (ISED), we began work on a prototype listings feed called ARTS2U that responds to these needs. ARTS2U uses scraping technology and manual data entry to compile information on arts events into one easy-to-access location. The prototype is being tested with arts producers, arts organizations, and media.

Now, we’re connecting ARTS2U with similar projects across Canada. With support from the Canada Council for the Arts through the Digital Strategy Fund, we’re setting up a network to share knowledge and encourage collaborations. Long-term, we believe that developing strong relationships and fostering compatible approaches will lead to better digital tools for artists and arts organizations.

Stay tuned for more information about the ARTS2U prototype and network in the coming months! If you have any questions or comments, get in touch with Program Manager, Amy Macdonald at amymacdonald@quebec-elan.org.

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ArtistsInspire Grants (AIG) launched by ELAN, in partnership with LEARN

ELAN launches ArtistsInspire Grants (AIG), a $2.2 million investment for Quebec official-language minority schools to create arts and cultural opportunities. Visit the new AIG website at artistsinspire.ca.

ELAN Quebec, in partnership with LEARN, officially launched ArtistsInspire Grants (AIG) today, a micro-grant program that will fund artistic and cultural activities in 300 official-language minority schools throughout the province of Quebec. Eligible public elementary and secondary schools are encouraged to apply for this funding, with $1500 available per school for each of the next four years, starting in 2019/2020.

“Access to arts and cultural expressions allow us to hear stories and see ourselves in multiple ways, showing us an infinite possibility of bright futures. Our government knows that it’s important for parents in minority communities to provide their children with an environment in which they can thrive in their own language and culture. We are proud to implement this program, which will not only increase the number of activities offered, but also immerse students at official-language minority schools in the cultural life of their community.”

— Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie.

“The ultimate goal of the program is that through the hands-on creative experiences that artists facilitate, teachers, students and community members in the province are inspired to develop their creativity capacity in ways that lead to individual and community outcomes for learning, wellbeing and socio-economic development.”

— Christie Huff, Lead Consultant – ELAN’s Arts & Education Initiatives.

FULL PRESS RELEASE (ENG)

Download (PDF, Unknown)

ELAN (English-Language Arts Network) est heureux d’annoncer le lancement du programme de subventions Artistes Inspire (AI), soit un investissement de 2,2 millions de dollars destiné à créer des activités artistiques et culturelles dans les écoles de langue officielle en situation minoritaire au Québec.

En partenariat avec le programme LEARN, ELAN Québec lançait aujourd’hui le projet Artistes Inspire (AI), un programme de micro-subventions qui financera des activités artistiques et culturelles dans 300 écoles de langue officielle en situation minoritaire au Québec. Les écoles primaires et secondaires publiques admissibles au programme sont invitées à faire une demande de subvention. Un montant de 1 500 dollars par école est disponible pour chacune des quatre prochaines années, à compter de 2019/2020.

« L’accès aux arts et aux expressions culturelles nous permet de découvrir des histoires et de nous voir sous de multiples angles, nous montrant ainsi mille et une possibilités pour un avenir prometteur. Notre gouvernement sait qu’il est important pour les parents des communautés minoritaires d’offrir à leurs enfants un environnement où ils peuvent s’épanouir dans leur langue et leur culture. Nous sommes fiers de lancer ce programme, qui permettra d’accroître le nombre d’activités offertes, en plus d’inviter les élèves des écoles en milieu minoritaire à une incursion dans la vie culturelle de leur communauté. »

— L’honorable Mélanie Joly, ministre du Tourisme, des Langues officielles et de la Francophonie.

« L’objectif ultime du programme est de susciter, par l’entremise d’activités créatives offertes par des artistes, l’intérêt des enseignants, des étudiants et des membres de la communauté à développer leurs capacités créatives afin de favoriser, tant sur le plan individuel que collectif, l’apprentissage, le mieux-être et le développement socio-économique. »

— Christie Huff, consultante principale des initiatives en arts et éducation chez ELAN.

FULL PRESS RELEASE (FR)

Download (PDF, Unknown)

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Director’s Message – February 2019

Guy Rodgers with John Hobday (Independent Arts Consultant who has worked for Canada Council for the Arts, the Samuel & Saidye Bronfman Family Foundation, CBC, and more) at State of the Arts in 2011. 

Photo by Dimitri Nasrallah

Fifteen years ago, the Quebec Arts Summit brought together 150 artists and cultural workers to take stock of an English-language cultural renaissance that had become noticeable after the referendum of 1995. The rapidly growing number of English-artists choosing to live and work in Quebec was a revelation, and the inspiration for ELAN’s creation. Seven years later, in 2011, ELAN organized State of the Arts, a three-day gathering of artists and cultural workers from all disciplines and from many regions of Quebec. Principle activities took place at la Société des arts technologiques (SAT), where 100+ community leaders discussed challenges and opportunities, debated strategies and brainstormed innovative ideas. Satellite activities took place at Centaur Theatre, the launch of the book Minority Report: An Alternative History of English-Language Arts in Quebec, and a series of thought-provoking panel discussions at la Maison du Conseil des arts de Montréal.

In February and March, ELAN is hosting a new edition of State of the Arts. The emphasis is on diversity and inclusion. At our 2011 event, our priorities were to connect with younger artists, newly emerging disciplines, and artistic communities outside Montreal. In 2019, project manger Farah Fancy has expanded the consultation format to include small group discussions and personal consultations around Quebec to engage a more diverse group of people in the conversation. With the assistance of Emily Enhorning, ELAN’s Membership Coordinator, Farah has also prepared two short surveys that we encourage you to take. One of the surveys is for individual artists living in Quebec and the other is for arts and cultural organizations. Each survey will only take a few minutes to complete.

The English-speaking arts community in 2019 is distinctly different than it was 15 years ago.  ELAN was founded by artists whose references were rooted in 20th century issues of official languages and historical tensions between the two solitudes. That has been a significant part of our mandate and we have made significant progress. The 21st century has brought new challenges and opportunities. This edition of State of the Arts signals a turning point for ELAN, in part a generational transition, and in part a valuable updating of ELAN’s mandate and mission for current and future members. We hope you’ll be part of it.

Guy Rodgers
Executive Director

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ELAN & LEARN are seeking proposals from Communications Specialists!

ELAN & LEARN have teamed up to manage the Government of Canada’s Community Cultural Action Fund Micro-Grant Program for Minority Schools in Quebec. The goal of the program is to provide students in minority language schools with opportunities to experience the arts ELAN will be overseeing the administration of the program and will be working collaboratively with LEARN to reach the 300+ English schools.

We are seeking proposals from Communications Specialists to develop outreach strategies and design communications tools required to successfully launch a micro-grant program that aims to bring arts and culture in English-language schools in Quebec. Deadline for submissions is JANUARY 28, 2019. Click here for details. 

Apply now!

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Activités à venir en lien avec le Sommet des arts!

Surveillez les événements et les activités à venir en lien avec le Sommet des arts, notamment de nombreux ateliers, appels à projets pour les artistes, séances de réseautage, partage de ressources, et plus encore !

Nous organiserons toute une journée consacrée au Sommet des arts, le 28 février 2019. Assurez-vous de mettre cette date à votre agenda !

Cliquez ici pour en savoir plus sur le Sommet des arts.

Aidez-nous à compiler des données concrètes. Grâce à ce sondage, nous espérons mieux identifier les obstacles auxquels font face les artistes et les travailleurs culturels du Québec, ainsi que leurs aspirations et objectifs pour un meilleur avenir.

Participez à notre sondage !

Le sondage est uniquement disponible en anglais, mais les réponses en français sont les bienvenues. 

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State of the Arts Survey – We Want to Hear from You!

Help us compile real data! Through this survey, we hope to learn more about barriers faced by members of the arts and cultural community in Quebec, as well as the aspirations and goals they have for a better artistic future.

Click here to begin the survey!

Your engagement is important to us. Visit the State of the Arts web page to stay up-to-date on future surveys, resources, reports, events, and more ways you can participate.

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Performing Arts Market Access Wrap Up

Photos by Mariam Assaf

For the past few years, ELAN has been busy producing some exciting and ambitious projects. The Performing Arts Market Access Showcases project, funded by the Canada Council, wrapped up its two-year pilot programme in November with the final showcase in Montreal, during the international performing arts biennale CINARS.

ELAN produced an OFF-CINARS performing arts showcase on November 14th, 2018 at Theatre Sainte-Catherine. The showcase presented three performances to a crowd of national and international presenters, managers, producers, agents, artists, friends and family. The performances were: Pluck’d, written by Ke Xin Li and directed by Sophie Gee, A Casual (Strikethrough) Reconstruction by Nadia Myre and Johanna Nutter, and a Wants & Needs dance showcase curated by Sasha Kleinplatz and Andrew Tay featuring 5 4-minute dynamic pieces by Hanako Hoshimi-Caines, Lucy May, Dorian Nuskin-Oder, Alexis O’Hara and Katie Ward. The showcase sold out, with guests coming from Australia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Spain, the UK the USA, and across Canada. Many stayed for an informal party where people could meet, chat and hang out.

The party was also the official launch of a booklet presenting 41 theatre and dance English-speaking artists from Quebec and their tour-ready work. This reference booklet for interested bookers and presenters was distributed during CINARS at the exhibition hall, at official events, during personal meetings, and around the city.  From our booth in CINARS exhibition hall, our project team had a chance to promote Quebec artists to touring organizations from around the world. We will be submitting a final report to the Canada Council in January, containing recommendations for future market access activities.

We thank Emilia Alvarez and Mariam Assaf for their hard work
and for producing a successful ELAN project!

Emilia Alvarez – Project Manager

Mariam Assaf – Project Assistant

Click here to see the catalogue

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Introducing State of the Arts!

State of the Arts is a community consultation aimed to better understand how we as artists, cultural workers, arts organizers, funders, and audiences are all connected, and how we can help each other strengthen our arts community together through thoughtful collaboration and meaningful exchanges.

ELAN recognizes that there are many rapidly evolving conversations regarding access, inclusion, working conditions, economics, appropriation, and other barriers that prevent our community from thriving.

Through this project, we commit to actively listen and find practical ways to recognize and validate the diverse experiences of artists who speak in English and who make up an important segment of Quebec’s evolving identity.

Through State of the Arts, we will:

  • Compile and share existing resources
  • Build relationships in Montreal and the Regions
  • Have in-person and online conversations to learn more about your needs, wants, barriers, and actions
  • Host a one-day event on February 28, 2019 (save the date!)
  • Identify and support meaningful opportunities and initiatives that emerge from our conversations

Get Involved! Your opinions and feedback are important to us.
Be sure to watch out for upcoming surveys, which will be shared via email.
We appreciate your participation!

If you have any questions about this ELAN project,
contact Amy Macdonald at amymacdonald@quebec-elan.org.

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