Short-Term Solutions for Long-Term Effects

There it was, spelt out in dark magic marker on an easel of chart paper -- the individuals in the room were coming together with the ultimate goal of establishing the workings of a CCA Strategic Plan. But as discussions commenced, a focus seemed to be absent. The issues were laid out -- from finances and ownership, to content and legislation/regulation -- but the conversation quickly became diluted with many problems and few openly stated paths towards solutions.

Many of the cultural workers began to voice a struggle to figure out exactly what they were trying to do and whom they were trying to reach through this forum. Ideas of tossing the old paradigms away for new ones was approached, as well as steering away from the studies and looking more at the answers to the issues. However, it came down to short-term or mid-term goals, in order to establish a plan that would not take on weighted expectations, but focus on aspects fit for change.

Although admitting she planned on staying in the background of the event, conference co-ordinator Philippa Borgal came forward with a plan. It outlined the integration of a tax credit towards those who enroll their children in extra-curricular arts programs -- mirroring the sports tax credit already in place. "I think it's a very achievable plan," she said. And as other individuals in the room praised and agreed with Philippa's proposal, this heavily discussed concept of short-term goals began to materialize.