CCA Bulletins 12/06

February 12, 2006

DELEGATES TO TACKLE CHALLENGING ISSUES AT UPCOMING CONFERENCE

Delegates will address several challenging topics relating to cultural policy, globalization, and advances in new technologies at the CCA's 2006 National Policy Conference March 3 and 4. The conference provides a unique opportunity to map out what currently exists in terms of policy, what more is needed, and how to ensure policy-making keeps pace with changes in technology.

Four concurrent workshops – two focusing on artist/creator issues, and two on producer/cultural industry issues – will take place on Friday, March 3. In preparation for the conference, the CCA has produced background papers to provoke debate and innovative thinking about public policy. In addition to the basic questions, delegates will be challenged to think creatively on several broad-ranging issues such as:

What opportunities and challenges do new technologies and globalization present to the cultural sector?
Are established roles and definitions (artist/performer/producer/distributor) disappearing as individuals cross traditional barriers to create and disseminate their works?
Are Canada's artists (self-employed, highly educated, multi-skilled, creative) at the vanguard of the new knowledge-based economy? Are they, in fact, pioneers of adaptive processes through legislation such as copyright and status of the artist, and advocacy for access to social benefits for the self-employed and fairer taxation treatment?

Debate is sure to be lively and we encourage everyone to make their voice heard. Conference delegates will be sent the background documents in advance of the conference; synopses are available at www.ccarts.ca/en/events/synopsis.htm.

The workshops will be led by four bilingual expert cultural managers: Susan Annis (Executive Director, Cultural Human Resources Council, Ottawa); Anne-Marie Des Roches (Director of Public Affairs, Union des artistes, Montréal); Kelly Hill (President, Hill Strategies Research, Hamilton); and Megan Williams (arts consultant, Halifax).

The mix of delegates representing a wide variety of artistic disciplines, agencies, cultural institutions and industries will undoubtedly make for dynamic discussion, effective networking and strong outcomes to put forward to our new federal government.

The Chalmers Conference is sold out. There are just 20 spaces left for the National Policy Conference. Register today!