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.
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.
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.
Emilia Alvarez – Project Manager
Mariam Assaf – Project Assistant
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:
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.
We thank everyone who came out on June 11, 2018 for the ELAN & FRINGE Schmoozer! We had a great time meeting, speaking and ‘schmoozing’ with all of you!
Here are a few photos from the event:
The Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (CDPDJ) has selected Diversité artistique Montréal (DAM) to hold a local consultation on systemic discrimination and racism in the cultural and media sector. DAM will hold this consultation with Culture Montréal, the English Language Arts Network (ELAN), and Espace Nodal.
The consultation will be held in both official languages and will take the form of two types of activities between November 3 and 8. This will encourage all cultural and media stakeholders to voice their opinions. The activities will include public hearings (Nov. 8) and closed discussion groups (Nov. 3-7) to provide a safe space for testimonies. It will also be possible to post anonymous testimonies on the CDPDJ website.
Racialized English-speaking artists, cultural workers, media professionals, students, cultural development stakeholders, and citizens are welcome and encouraged to contribute their stories. Please consult the call for participation for more information. The deadline to register is October 29.
Call for participation – click here
Discussion group registration – click here
Public hearings registration – click here
Read DAM’s press release here.
2018