Important to end on a positive
This week I’ve had several people approach me and ask, how do you make policy, and the conference, appealing to youth? It’s easy. First, price is a huge issue. Many people were disappointed that few artists (regardless of age) were at the conference. It’s because the conference ticket is hugely expensive. Also, you must stay in a hotel if you aren’t from the Ottawa area. You will inevitably have few artists when only the “arts managers” (or government employees) can afford to go. Therefore, you’re going to draw organizers and not artists. The priorities established at the conference will reflect who was there. If art should be about artistic expression, these people should be there to insert their two cents.
If you would like to attract youth, make sure there are other youth there. They should feel welcome. Make a youth-specific breakout group. However, make sure you also gently integrate them with the adults. And tell them what you expect of them. Inform them of what their roles are going to be. If a group of policy-savvy adults at the end of Day Two aren’t sure if they want a resolution, a list of suggestions, or just general ideas, young people won’t either. Orient them in this world of arts policy, and they will love you.
Also, let them know the conference is happening. Send theatre troops and writers’ collectives a flier, or an email, or something. The only reason the bloggers came was because the Canadian Conference for the Arts sent a message to Carleton U, which they in turn posted on our email message board. It was easy; just continue that route. We can’t come if we don’t know about your event!
Finally, keep working to make the conference colourful, interesting, and dynamic. This year you had bloggers, a slam artist, and a dancer. Dave Hansbury facilitated with pictures. I think everyone was relieved to attend an arts conference that actually looked and felt like one. Continue by incorporating videos, colour, whatever your budget can incorporate. You are Canada’s most creative, after all!
I was disappointed that much of the cross-cultural insight gleaned yesterday was forgotten or ignored. You MUST involve the private sector in the arts. I also don’t think getting corporations involved is any more difficult than landing government funding. It can be done – look at Cisco Systems Bluesfest. (If you don’t know what Bluesfest is, check out the website at www.ottawabluesfest.ca. Basically it’s a MASSIVE and COOL festival that brings blues artists to Ottawa. Other groups come too, which causes controversy – last year the Black Eyed Peas performed, and nobody could justify their “folk” status.) Anyway, back to the point of funding – Cisco pays a lot, the City of Ottawa pays a lot, while the artists and audience pay a little each. The SHEER VOLUME of talent that assembles at Bluesfest is exhilarating. And when a corporation decides your artistic venture is worth something, the government may agree and give you more funding later.
Unfortunately, in Saturday’s panic to make a successful cultural policy/involve other sectors, it wasn’t brought up much. People returned to the idea of soliciting government funding, and ignored other ideas. We must refocus ourselves. As centrist as Stephen Harper wants to appear, I doubt he’ll be interested in the arts. Therefore, you need to see the government as only one venue for funding. Again, returning to the idea of a living wage for artists – a government isn’t going to guarantee it. You must guarantee it for yourselves. Don’t forget about uniting with similar sectors (ie – sport) and teaming up with the private sector.
Thank you all for an insightful weekend!
If you would like to attract youth, make sure there are other youth there. They should feel welcome. Make a youth-specific breakout group. However, make sure you also gently integrate them with the adults. And tell them what you expect of them. Inform them of what their roles are going to be. If a group of policy-savvy adults at the end of Day Two aren’t sure if they want a resolution, a list of suggestions, or just general ideas, young people won’t either. Orient them in this world of arts policy, and they will love you.
Also, let them know the conference is happening. Send theatre troops and writers’ collectives a flier, or an email, or something. The only reason the bloggers came was because the Canadian Conference for the Arts sent a message to Carleton U, which they in turn posted on our email message board. It was easy; just continue that route. We can’t come if we don’t know about your event!
Finally, keep working to make the conference colourful, interesting, and dynamic. This year you had bloggers, a slam artist, and a dancer. Dave Hansbury facilitated with pictures. I think everyone was relieved to attend an arts conference that actually looked and felt like one. Continue by incorporating videos, colour, whatever your budget can incorporate. You are Canada’s most creative, after all!
I was disappointed that much of the cross-cultural insight gleaned yesterday was forgotten or ignored. You MUST involve the private sector in the arts. I also don’t think getting corporations involved is any more difficult than landing government funding. It can be done – look at Cisco Systems Bluesfest. (If you don’t know what Bluesfest is, check out the website at www.ottawabluesfest.ca. Basically it’s a MASSIVE and COOL festival that brings blues artists to Ottawa. Other groups come too, which causes controversy – last year the Black Eyed Peas performed, and nobody could justify their “folk” status.) Anyway, back to the point of funding – Cisco pays a lot, the City of Ottawa pays a lot, while the artists and audience pay a little each. The SHEER VOLUME of talent that assembles at Bluesfest is exhilarating. And when a corporation decides your artistic venture is worth something, the government may agree and give you more funding later.
Unfortunately, in Saturday’s panic to make a successful cultural policy/involve other sectors, it wasn’t brought up much. People returned to the idea of soliciting government funding, and ignored other ideas. We must refocus ourselves. As centrist as Stephen Harper wants to appear, I doubt he’ll be interested in the arts. Therefore, you need to see the government as only one venue for funding. Again, returning to the idea of a living wage for artists – a government isn’t going to guarantee it. You must guarantee it for yourselves. Don’t forget about uniting with similar sectors (ie – sport) and teaming up with the private sector.
Thank you all for an insightful weekend!
1 Comments:
Interesting thought re: a living wage for artists – "a government isn’t going to guarantee it. You must guarantee it for yourselves." I agree that if the cultural sector doesn't walk-the-talk on this, who will? (Although taxation, etc. also has a role)
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