CCA conference provides opportunity to influence new government’s cultural priorities

Representatives of Canada’s arts and cultural sector from all disciplines and regions of Canada will gather in Ottawa March 2 to 4, 2006 to discuss key sectoral priorities and establish strategies to influence the cultural policy of the new Government of Canada.

“Mapping Canada’s Cultural Policy: Where do we go from here?” will provide a three-day forum for delegates from across Canada to collectively identify policy issues that must be on the government’s agenda in order to build a thriving Canadian cultural sector. The conference, which will attract arts service organizations, cultural organizations and industries, individual artists, producers, labour groups and government bureaucrats, is presented by the Canadian Conference of the Arts, Canada’s leading voice on cultural policy.

The conference is particularly timely given the recent election of the Conservative government and the uncertainty about exactly where the party stands on issues such as the planned increase to the budget of the Canada Council for the Arts, status of the artist, cultural diversity and foreign ownership.

“This is precisely the time when it is imperative to assess the national policy framework of the cultural sector at large,” said Alain Pineau, the CCA’s recently appointed National Director. “It is important that the sector work closely with the new government to help refocus and frame 21 st-century Canadian cultural policies to face current technological and international trade challenges and opportunities.”

Conference delegates will address key questions such as:

• Could it be that Canada already has a cultural policy without knowing it?
• What will be the cultural environment of tomorrow?
• Do existing policies equip Canada for the future?
• Where do we go from here?

The 2006 conference is a blending of two conferences presented annually by the CCA. The Chalmers Conference, which is designed and intended specifically for representatives of arts service and cultural organizations will begin on March 2 with a discussion of key issues identified by ASO’s prior to the conference. This will pave the way for the National Policy Conference (NPC) on March 3 and 4 with delegates from every part of the sector exploring those and other issues facing the sector. Chalmers Conference delegates re-convene immediately following the final NPC session to discuss strategies for action to ensure the sector’s priorities are heard by the new federal government.

A focal point of the conference will be two concurrent workshops, one examining specific issues relating to artists and creators, and the other exploring issues relevant to producers and cultural industries.

Musician, writer, and hi-tech wizard Paul Hoffert will bring his lively presentation style and incisive thinking to the role of conference keynote speaker. Hoffert will kick off the National Policy Conference with a provocative presentation examining new approaches to production and dissemination of culture and the arts which will provide a backdrop to the delegates’ discussions. The Financial Post has described Hoffert as one of the “New Mandarins” along with Bill Gates, and the Toronto Star says “Paul Hoffert is the ideal visionary for the Digital Age”. Hoffert is currently on Harvard’s Faculty of Law and working on digital media exchange.

To ensure the conference format is not just talking heads, the CCA is injecting some contemporary artistic elements into the conference proceedings. These include:

Graphic Facilitation – David Hasbury, a noted consultant in organizational and community development, will facilitate the conference. Hasbury utilizes “group graphics” to capture the words and moods of the discussions in a visual way. Hasbury draws the themes and outcomes of group discussions on a vast wall chart, enabling participants to literally see what they are saying.

Rapportage – Greg Frankson, aka Ritallin, has exploded on the Canadian scene as a spoken word artist, writer and motivational speaker. He has just completed work on Alexa McDonough’s successful re-election campaign and is emerging as a leader within Canada’s artistic and Black communities. “Ritallin” will perform improvised poems at various points throughout the National Policy Conference that will reflect his interpretations of the discussions.

Interactive Dance – Independent dance artist Maureen Shea will lead an interactive dance component during the President’s Reception on March 3. Shea instigated the Grasshoppa Dance Exchange in 2002, and has led and participated in countless Hops and Dance Farms in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Massachusetts and Italy. A performer and arts educator, Shea will enliven the reception with impromptu performances reflecting the mood of the day’s proceedings and engaging participants in unexpected ways.

For more information on the 2006 Chalmers and National Policy Conferences and to view complete agendas, please visit www.ccarts.ca.

Opportunities are available now for interviews with the CCA National Director and conference speakers.

For more information, contact:
Jessica Pancoe
Communications and Member Relations
Canadian Conference of the Arts
(613) 238-3561, ext. 10
Jessica.pancoe@ccarts.ca