How Ottawa Is Losing In The Arts-Funding Game
Mike Levin who writes the UnFolding Magazine blog takes a look at the ‘Arts and the Capital City’ summary report released by the Council for the Arts in Ottawa:
The news isn’t unique: local arts institutions and festivals are barely hanging on because they don’t have political champions, like in other capital cities in the Western world, who are willing to fight for arts’ larger role in society. But there’s a fascinating backstory in the report, one that identifies specific weaknesses in the local sector, and it adds context to this tale of woe.
Of the $118.8 million doled out between 2001 and 2008 by the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program for stabilization (to establish non-profits), capacity building (to strengthen finances) and endowment (to attract private money), local Ottawa groups got $795,115.
That’s 0.65 percent….for Canada’s fourth largest city. Winnipeg received 12 times as much. What in Heaven’s name is that about?
It’s about a lot of things, obviously, but mostly about Ottawa’s arts sector not having anyone who knows how this game is played, or perhaps not having the resources to play it. The irony is that arts people seem caught in the same Catch 22 as those in economics, education and community (to just start a very long list): things can’t be fixed without the right resources and we can’t get the resources until things are fixed.
Read Mike’s full post: How Ottawa Is Losing In The Arts-Funding Game
Council for the Arts in Ottawa lauds the Green in Bluesfest
Bluesfest initiated a green program five years ago. During that time, the program has grown requiring consistent and concerted efforts in order to make it work. Mike Rouleau, Director of Operations, recalls that when they started out, the biggest concern was how much money and resources the festival would need to allocate to realize their plans. They must be on the right track; the Recycling Council of Ontario has awarded Bluesfest recycling awards for three years in a row.
The NCC and the City of Ottawa understand the issues of festivals’ need to have green initiatives and are themselves helping by providing some administrative support with contacts for garbage and composting removal. The City of Ottawa lends bins for festival use, although Bluesfest have also purchased some of their own to help ease the demand during festivals’ peak summer season.
With accolades comes responsibility. With that in mind, Bluesfest has taken on a leadership role in speaking with others about their green program. If you have any questions about greening your own festival or event, contact Mike Rouleau at Bluesfest at 613-247-1188, Ext 232. For more information on the Bluesfest green program please visit Ottawa Bluesfest Goes Green.
Additional information can be found in the Sustainable Event Guide online at www.sustainableeventguide.com.
To read the full article, click on The Green in Bluesfest.
RBC Emerging Artist Award announced by Council for the Arts in Ottawa
The Council for the Arts in Ottawa (CAO) is pleased to announce the establishment of the RBC Emerging Artist Award for Ottawa area artists of all disciplines. This award will recognize and encourage the achievements of Ottawa artists who are founding careers in the arts and are working towards becoming recognized professional artists while engaging with the community.
RBC welcomes the opportunity to be involved with the CAO in establishing this award. RBC is providing the $5,000 cash prize for the recipient and $1,000 each for two short listed artists.
“At RBC we believe in the power of the arts to enrich our lives and enhance our communities,” said Eugenio Mannarino, RBC Regional Vice President, Ottawa East. “We wanted to assist rising talent in Ottawa and our partnership with the Council for the Arts in Ottawa has given us the platform to do so.”
The award recipient will be announced at the CAO Arts Awards Lunch in mid-April 2010. RBC is recognized as the Founding Partner for this event. In addition to the RBC Emerging Artist Award, this occasion will also showcase the presentation of the CAO Mid-Career Award and the Victor Tolgesy Arts Award.
Drew Mandigo, President of the CAO Board of Directors says, “I’m thrilled with the possibilities presented with the CAO’s new partnership with RBC. Ottawa’s artistic community needs this type of recognition for its emerging artists. With the sponsorship of the RBC Emerging Artist Award and a new awards event, RBC is demonstrating a commitment to arts excellence in Ottawa.”
RBC is committed to supporting emerging artists. Currently RBC supports over 25 organizations across Canada that have programs that assist young artists, such as dancers, painters, musicians and singers, develop and progress along their career paths – from academic excellence to professional careers.
The application deadline for the RBC Emerging Artist Award is December 15, 2009 and is by nomination only. Full information can be found on the CAO Website at www.arts-ottawa.on.ca.
Call for Nominations: The CAO Mid-Career Artist Award
The Council for the Arts in Ottawa is pleased to welcome Ginsberg Gluzman Fage & Levitz, LLP, and Mann & Partners, LLP as sponsors of The CAO Mid-Career Artist Award. This award recognizes and encourages the achievements of Ottawa artists who have evolved beyond an emerging stage in their career to become recognized professional working artists contributing to the Ottawa arts community.Three finalists will be announced at the CAO Sweetheart Cocktail for the Arts with the final award presentation taking place at the CAO Arts Award Lunch presented by RBC. The recipient will receive a $5,000 award. The two other finalists in this award category will receive $1,000 awards.
The award recipient will be announced at the CAO Arts Awards Lunch in mid-April 2010. RBC is recognized as the Founding Partner for this event. In addition to the RBC Emerging Artist Award, this occasion will also showcase the presentation of the CAO Mid-Career Award and the Victor Tolgesy Arts Award.
The application deadline for the The CAO Mid-Career Artist Award is December 15, 2009 and is by nomination only.
Full information can be found on the CAO Website at www.arts-ottawa.on.ca.
Call for Nominations The Victor Tolgesy Arts Award
The Victor Tolgesy Arts Award was inaugurated in 1987 by the City of Ottawa and the Council for the Arts in Ottawa to recognise the accomplishments of residents who have contributed substantially to enriching cultural life in the city. It is named in honour of Ottawa artist Victor Tolgesy who died in 1980.
The Victor Tolgesy Arts Award is presented as a joint venture of the City of Ottawa and Council for the Arts in Ottawa. A cash prize of $5,000 is associated with this award. The award recipient also receives a bronze casting special edition version of the late Victor Tolgesy’s 1963 sculpture entitled “Seed and Flower” provided by the City of Ottawa.
Three finalists will be announced at the CAO Sweetheart Cocktail for the Arts with the final award presentation taking place at the CAO Arts Award Lunch presented by RBC.
The application deadline for the The CAO Mid-Career Artist Award is December 15, 2009 and is by nomination only.
Full information can be found on the CAO Website at www.arts-ottawa.on.ca.
