arts notes
Canada Revenue Agency information sessions for registered charities
Every year staff from the Charities Directorate of the Canada Revenue Agency visit communities across the country to provide free information sessions for registered charities. These sessions are organized to help registered charities understand their obligations under the Income Tax Act. All registered charities are encouraged to send representatives. For more information, visit http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/cntct/hrs-eng.html
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Planning underway for the 2009 spOtlight festival
The pilot spOtlight festival has been extended this year. Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Culture and produced by the Ontario Arts Council, spOtlight returns to Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener, Stratford and Waterloo from June 5 to 7.
More than 100 artists and arts organizations in the area have applied to take part in the festival. spOtlight aims to celebrate the artists in their communities and encourage appreciation and understanding of the arts. Proposals range from behind-the-scenes tours, hands-on workshops, lectures to other interactive events in craft, dance, literature, music, theatre and the visual, media and performance arts.
Last year, more than 6400 people participated in spOtlight activities across the five municipalities.
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Staff comings and goings
- PHOTO GALLERY
- Bushra Junaid has returned from a leave of absence to assume her duties as OAC’s new Outreach and Development Manager. Bushra’s work will be informed by the strategies identified in OAC’s new strategic plan.
- Christina Akrong is now OAC’s Northern Arts Program Officer. We would like to acknowledge Sara Roque, who has been responsible for both the Access and Career Development and the Northern Arts Programs in addition to her responsibilities as Aboriginal Arts Officer.
- We are pleased to announce that Loree Lawrence is OAC’s new Community and Multidisciplinary Arts Officer. Loree is the founding member of the Red Wagon Collective, a community arts organization, and, until recently, was the Lead Artist of The Gathering Space, an arts initiative in Toronto’s Junction neighbourhood. She has developed public art exhibitions and theatre performances with underserved communities for more than 20 years. She was Theatre Director at KYTES (Kensington Youth Theatre and Employment Skills) in Toronto for five years. From 2000 to 2004, Loree was Creative Director at Projections, a film and video mentorship program in Vancouver for three years. In 2004 she returned to Toronto to work with Jumblies Theatre on Bridge of One Hair, a large multi-year community play project that was presented at Harbourfront Centre’s World Stage festival in May 2007.
- In addition to her role as Theatre Officer, Pat Bradley has permanently taken on the responsibility of Compass Officer.
- Aubrey Reeves joins us as the new Artistic Producer and Project Manager for the spOtlight: festival. Aubrey came to us from Trinity Square Video in Toronto, where for almost five years she was the Programming Director, orchestrating and managing large events, and working closely with artists. Aubrey can be reached at areeves@arts.on.ca or toll free at 1-800-387-0058 ext. 7468.
- Welcome to Alexandra Breede, who is providing administrative assistance to the Awards office.
- We wish Elena Yunusov all the best in her new role as Communications Officer at Ombudsman Ontario. We will miss Elena’s positive attitude and passionate engagement with social media. Ashleigh Hodgins, formerly Aboriginal Arts and Community and Multidisciplinary Arts Program Assistant, is moving over to become our new Communications Assistant. Replacing Ashleigh is Fabiola Cavé. Change is the spice of life!
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Artists and arts organizations in northwest provide input
Artists and arts organizations in Northwestern Ontario were recently invited to participate in a conference call about gaps in services to their region and brainstorm about possible solutions.
This discussion was the first in a series of meetings aimed at creating greater understanding about how OAC and arts service organizations can work together to benefit artists and arts organizations in the province especially those in more remote and culturally diverse communities.
For more information, contact:
Michael Murray
Popular and World Music Officer & English ASO Officer
416-969-7439
toll free 1-800-387-0058 ext. 7439
mmurray@arts.on.ca
Marilyn McIntosh
Northwestern Consultant
807-622-4279
toll free 1-866-391-2221
mmcintosh@arts.on.ca
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Ruth Madoc-Jones receives John Hirsch Director's Award
The award was presented at a post-performance reception at the world premiere of them & us by Tracy Dawson and directed by Ruth Madoc-Jones, at Theatre Passe Muraille on January 8, 2009. Read the press release
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OAC-funded artists nominated for 2009 Juno Awards
Best of luck to the following nominees in this year’s competition!
- Jane Bunnett
- John Burge
- The Creaking Tree String Quartet
- The Gryphon Trio
- Kevin Mallon
- Chris McKhool
- Michael Occhipinti
- Barry Romberg’s Random Access Large Ensemble
- Serena Ryder
- Jayme Stone and Mansa Sissoko
- Tafelmusik
- Maryem and Ernie Tollar
- Suzie Vinnick
- Hawksley Workman
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