Update: ArtBridging Ontario

“When I first started at ArtBridges/ToileDesArts, I was the Social Network and Communications Assistant. This past year, I was the ArtBridging Ontario Coordinator. ArtBridging Ontario allowed me to connect with all of the Ontario community arts initiatives. I got to collect new profiles in Ontario that added to the ArtBridges network. I learned so much from initiatives that I interacted with, they are a great range and it is amazing to know that they are out there proving how important the arts are. I’ve just graduated from OCAD University, and I’ll be leaving ArtBridges to go to New York. Working with ArtBridges taught me how prevalent and important community arts is in Canada and I’m excited to bring what I’ve learned about models and practices and compare that knowledge with my future.

I’d like to thank all of our community partners for being so enthusiastic, and I’d like to thank all of those who submitted profiles to me for our network. My experience has been entirely positive. Everyone whom I’ve spoken with on the phone seemed to understand the value of ArtBridges and were really enthusiastic about sending me back the profiles even though they have such busy schedules. I’m sure that the next Ontario Coordinator will enjoy it as much as I did.

Thank you for making time for me, Ontario!” – Ania Stypulkowski, ArtBridging Ontario Coordinator

Mushroomman
by Ania Stypulkowski
2012

Update: ToileDesArts

Alli et Alexa

Bonjour!
 
L’été s’approche vite et c’est maintenant que les jardins fleurissent, tout comme les nouvelles inspirations. Ayant tout juste terminé mon programme en études de l’environnement et arts communautaires à l’université de York, ainsi que mon poste comme assistante de recherche à la ToileDesArts, j’ai hâte à me lancer aux nouveaux projets. Mon expérience avec la ToileDesArts/ArtBridges a été inoubliable, et je sens maintenant que je connais bien la communauté artistique du Canada! Lorsque je vais continuer mon travail comme artiste communautaire, j’ai hâte de vous présenter Alli, qui continuera la recherche pour les arts communautaires francophones au Canada.
 
J’aimerais remercier tous ceux et celles qui ont pris le temps de me raconter leurs belles histoires. Continuez votre travail merveilleux!

Alexa de Repentigny-MacAulay

Bonjour tout le monde!

Je me présente, Alli Melanson, nouvelle assistante de recherche francophone pour la ToileDesArts/ArtBridges. Née en Colombie-Britannique, ma famille et moi avons déménagé à Montréal où j’ai vécu jusqu’à mon départ en 2009 afin de poursuivre mes études en peinture et dessin à l’université OCAD de Toronto. Trois ans plus tard, après avoir eu la chance d’étudier en Italie, je me trouve à la fin de mon bach, alors temps de commencer des nouveaux projets! Tout en continuant mes objectifs artistiques, je suis ravie d’avoir l’opportunité de travailler avec ToilesDesArts, et les arts communautaires à travers le Canada. Commençant avec la recherche d’Alexa, j’ai comme but d’approfondir les liens déja établit par la ToileDesArts/ArtBridges et j’espère en découvrir d’avantage. En quelques semaines seulement j’ai découvert un grand nombre de projets très intéressants et j’ai très hâte de m’y mettre à pleine force!

Alli Melanson

Hello!

Summer is fast approaching and the flowers are in full bloom, just like our new ideas and inspirations. I’m excited to get into new projects, as I’ve just graduated from my degree in Environmental Studies and Community Arts at York University, and am now finishing my research at ArtBridges as well. My experience at ArtBridges/ToileDesArts has been unforgettable, and I truly feel like I have a good sense of Canada’s arts community! While I am continuing my work as a community artist, I’m honoured to present Alli, who will be continuing the research for Francophone community arts in Canada.
 
I’d like to thank all those who took the time to share their beautiful stories with me. Keep on with your amazing work!

Alexa de Repentigny-MacAulay

Hello everyone!

My name is Alli Melanson, and I am the new fracophone research assistant for ArtBridges/ToilesDesArts. Born in British Columbia, my family and I moved to Montreal where I lived till 2009, at which point I moved to Toronto to pursue my BFA in Painting and Drawing at OCAD University. Three years later, after studying abroad in Italy, I have completed my studies and am looking forward to new projects! While continuing my artistic endeavors, I am excited by the opportunity to work at ArtBridges /ToilesDesArts and the community arts across Canada. Taking over where Alexa’s research left off, I hope to strenghten the connections ArtBridges has already made, and hope to discover new initiatives as well. Within only a few weeks I have discovered so many interesting projects and I look forward to diving in further!

Alli Melanson

Toolkit/Catalogue: Collective Murals by the Catalyst Centre (Toronto)

Collective Murals is a catalogue that is found on the Catalogue section of the website Catalystcentre.ca.

This toolkit is about murals and using visual art and critical thinking to create public art actions. Making a mural is different from other art forms because it is large, public and the catalogue provides information on how to make the most of it. The toolkit breaks down what materials you may need, and what kind of composition to use. I think this could be very helpful when starting a mural project. 

You can read the catalogue by clicking here.

- by Ania Stypulkowski, posted with permission by Chris Cavanagh

ArtBridges’ Newsletter: February / Février: Le bulletin de ToileDesArts

If you haven’t been receiving our newsletters yet, you can view them here in.pdf format: ArtBridges’ February Newsletter! / Le bulletin de ToileDesArts : février 2012! If you’d like to subscribe to future newsletters from ArtBridges / ToileDesArts, click here!
Si vous ne avez pas reçu notre bulletin, vous pouvez le visionner en format pdf en cliquant ici: Le bulletin de ToileDesArts : février 2012! / ArtBridges’ February Newsletter! Si vous souhaitez vous abonner pour recevoir les prochains bulletins, cliquez ici!

For a look back on our past newsletters, please click on the following links for .pdfs:

English:
ArtBridges’ November 2011 Newsletter!
ArtBridges’ December 2011 Newsletter!
ArtBridges’ January 2012 Newsletter!

Francais:
Le bulletin de ToileDesArts: novembre 2011!
Le bulletin de ToileDesArts: decembre 2011!
Le bulletin de ToileDesArts: janvier 2012!

What I Learned about CARFAC – for Art Students, Recent Graduates & Emerging Artists

“I am a student going on emerging artist. The art world can be an intimidating and complicated place, but thanks to CARFAC I feel like I have a support system. CARFAC will help me make sure that I don’t sell my work for less then I deserve, that I’ll be up to date with opportunities, events and residencies, and will keep me educated about my financial and legal rights.

CARFAC is a national organization that stands for Canadian Artists’ Representation/le Front des artistes canadiens. You can find out about their different offices by clicking here.

A CARFAC Ontario representative named Aysen Farag spoke to my Drawing and Painting thesis class, and I took intensive notes about the things that they do for artists. She began by telling us that CARFAC  began as a place to get standard, fair fees for artists. It is an art service organization.

There is a membership fee, the cost for students is $30.00 for a year, and $ 50.00 for a recent graduate. There is a special membership promotion happening right now, if you join or renew your membership before March 31st you will be entered into a draw for special prizes. Examples are tickets to Factory Theatre productions, subscriptions to Canadian Art Magazine, and more! Keep checking back on the website for the full list of prizes, coming soon.

CARFAC is involved with big picture work. In partnership with VITAL Toronto, Kristian Clark, the Executive Director of CARFAC Ontario, was involved with budget talks at Toronto City Hall when there was a threat to arts funding. Kristian Clark presented priorities for why arts funding should not be cut in Toronto, and as a result, funding to the arts in had not been cut. To learn more about VITAL Toronto visit their Facebook page.

The presentation also discussed the concept of the Artist Resale Right, the idea that an artist would get a percentage of the amount that their work is resold at auctions, which is especially important for Aboriginal artists and other Canadian artists. Because art work tends to appreciate in value, an artist’s income would be supported by this percentage. The Artist Resale Right already exists in some countries throughout Europe and CARFAC is working on bringing it to Canada.

To those artists that do not live in a big city, CARFAC Ontario is involved in community outreach in the Northern Ontario area, by establishing professional development workshops and networking events, many of them are free.

CARFAC members receive free consulting with lawyers through their VALCO services. They also have a publication for sale that can be found on their website, that has template contracts for use and also discusses how to negotiate and modify contracts. The presentation discussed that a verbal agreement is a moral obligation, but risks miscommunication between the people involved. A contract is preferable because it is a historical document. So it is very important to understand what to put in a contract when selling your work or getting gallery representation.

I’m most excited about CARFAC online it is an email bulletin which, unlike other websites, checks to see if the opportunities for artists pay fairly and are to the benefit of the artist.

The presentation gave us advice on setting prices of our work, “Top 12 Tips for Setting Prices” is an article on the CARFAC website that you can read for free right now!

It is also important to be aware of how you share your images online, and be aware of what images you use in your artwork. All artists should be aware of the Canadian Copyright Act and know about the differences between source images and public domain images. The Canadian Artist Representation Copyright Collective administers the reproduction fees based on copyright usage.

And most importantly: discounts!”

- Submitted by Ania Stypulkowski, ArtBridging Ontario Coordinator is a current Drawing and Painting Thesis student at OCADu (Ontario College of Art and Design).

ArtBridges’ Newsletter: January / Janvier: Le bulletin de ToileDesArts

If you haven’t been receiving our newsletters yet, you can view them here in.pdf format: ArtBridges’ January Newsletter! / Le bulletin de ToileDesArts : janvier 2012! If you’d like to subscribe to future newsletters from ArtBridges / ToileDesArts, click here!

Si vous ne avez pas reçu notre bulletin, vous pouvez le visionner en format pdf en cliquant ici: Le bulletin de ToileDesArts : janvier 2012! / ArtBridges’ January Newsletter! Si vous souhaitez vous abonner pour recevoir les prochains bulletins, cliquez ici!

For a look back on our previous letters:

English:
ArtBridges’ First Newsletter!
ArtBridges’ Second Newsletter!

Francais:
Le premier bulletin de ToileDesArts!
Le deuxième bulletin de ToileDesArts!

Update: Sommaire de la recherche pour les arts communautaires francophones au Nouvelle-Écosse / Summary of research for Francophone community arts in Nova Scotia

Above photo courtesy of pinzino, stock.xchng

Sommaire de la recherche sur les arts communautaires en Nouvelle-Écosse
le 13 janvier, 2012

Presqu’encerclé par l’océan Atlantique, la Nouvelle-Écosse loge les douces baies tout comme les falaises impressionantes. Le beau paysage est une source d’inspiration pour plusieurs artistes, mais pour quelques autres, ce sont les nombreux initiatives en arts communautaires francophones qui inspire la créativité!

D’une liste de 38 sources, nous avons identifié 10 organismes qui font du bon travail en les arts communautaires À Dartmouth, la Fédération culturelle acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse (FéCANE) est une excellente ressource qui a crée le réseau Rout’arts qui facilite la diffusion des arts de la scène pour les artistes acadien(ne)s et francophones émergents. Le Conseil acadien de Par-en-bas (CAPEB), à Tusket, ont plusieurs ateliers en théâtre, photographie, danse, ou musique qui sont offerts gratuitement pour le jeunes, et à prix abordable pour le public. De plus, il y a une gallerie d’art au centre, et le CAPEB fait le support de festivals acadiens. Plusieurs autres organismes ont un modèle semblable, préférant les ateliers multi-disciplinaires et les expositions d’art visuels, comme le Conseil des arts de la Baie à Pointe-de-l’Église, l’Association des francophones de la vallée d’Annapolis à Greenwood, la Société Sainte-Croix à Antigonish, et l’Association acadienne des artistes de la Nouvelle-Écosse (AAANÉ) à Dartmouth.

Étant donné que la vaste majorité des néo-écossais sont anglophones, il y a une forte tendance vers le soutient et la promotion de la langue et de la culture acadienne et francophone. Le Centre communautaire de Truro se concentre sur la fierté linguistique à travers les arts, en offrant des sessions de contes pour les jeunes et de musique traditionnelle pour les aînés. Le Conseil jeunesse provincial de la Nouvelle-Écosse (Dartmouth), un organisme qui cherche à appuyer les jeunes en leur développement culturel, offre plusieurs projets de formation en les arts multidisciplinaires à prix abordable.

Gardez au courant de notre blogue afin de lire les profils sur ces organismes extraordinaires!

Merci de votre lecture!
Alexa de Repentigny-MacAulay,
Assistante de recherche, ToileDesArts

Summary: francophone community arts in Nova Scotia
January 13th, 2012

Almost completely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Nova Scotia is home to many gentle bays and awe-inspiring cliffs. The beautiful landscapes are a great source of inspiration for many artists, for others, the many great community arts initiatives are what inspire Francophones to be creative.

From a list of 38 sources, we’ve identified 10 organizations doing some really great community arts work. In Dartmouth, the Fédération culturelle acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse (FéCANE) is an excellent resource for arts activities, and has created a network for emerging Acadian and Francophone performing artists called Rout’arts. The Conseil acadien de Par-en-bas (CAPEB), located in Tusket, offers a variety of workshops in theatre, photography, dance, and music which are free for youth and affordably priced for the public. They also have an art gallery in the centre, and support Acadian festivals. Several other organizations have a similar model, preferring multi-disciplinary workshops and art exhibits, such as the Conseil des arts de la Baie in Pointe-de-l’Église, the Association des francophones de la vallée d’Annapolis in Greenwood, the Société Sainte-Croix in Antigonish, and the Association acadienne des artistes de la Nouvelle-Écosse (AAANÉ) in Dartmouth.

As the vast majority of Nova Scotians are Anglophones, there is a strong tendency in Francophone organizations to focus on supporting and promoting Acadian and Francophone language and culture. The Centre communautaire de Truro highlights linguistic and cultural pride through the arts, by offering storytelling sessions for children and youth and traditional music marking for seniors. The Conseil jeunesse provincial de la Nouvelle-Écosse in Dartmouth supports youth in cultural development by offering projects in multidisciplinary arts training at an affordable price.

Stay updated for the profiles on these amazing organizations!

Thanks for reading!
Alexa de Repentigny-MacAulay
Francophone Research Assistant, ArtBridges

Happy New Year! Bonne Année!

Photo courtesy of Kinsey @ Stock.Xchng

Happy New Year! Bonne Année!

Back at the office, and staff are trickling back in, coming in from Virginia, Markham, New York and Toronto. Some are refreshed, while some worked right through the holidays and could use a break. Coffee’s on, fingers dance across keyboards and computers are humming.

Trying to remember where we left off, going forward as per ArtBridges/ToileDesArts’ strategic plan, stories interjected into the work day about a hike in the mountains, the snowy day in Ottawa, the birth of a cousin on New Year’s Eve, the visit of a mother from Sudbury, two relative’s marriage break-ups, the Trinidadian holiday party, the crab cakes, the turkey…and back to the strategic plan and then back again to more stories. So nice when people trickle back into the office and into the new year.

For this first post of the year, I’d like to pay tribute to my friend Tim, whose birthday is today. He works tirelessly at an inner-city community arts centre in Toronto where he has worked for 18 years, most of the time on his own time. He is a local hero because he simply doesn’t give up, he is quietly dependable and continues to keep the doors to this community arts centre open, when no one else can; even when the forecast is dim, even when there are no funds coming in, even when things seem really hard.

On Christmas day, as everyday, he came into ArtHeart, donned an apron, and set to work delegating volunteers, mentoring a student, and preparing and serving a feast for 35 program participants that are homeless, have nowhere to go for Christmas, or who just love to come to ArtHeart! He gave out fleece scarves, set up art supplies, put on the coffee, and was at the door to greet the donor who brought the potatoes and the woman whose secretary pre-planned her volunteer time. On behalf of all the people you make art-making a possibility for: Tim, Happy Birthday!

And…Happy New Year to all of you! our readers and contributors; we hope to continue to hear your stories, ideas and important things to share as you trickle back into offices, studios and communities across the country. Before you get too caught up in goals, strategic plans and New Year’s resolutions, please write, call, say hello and stay in touch!

Yours,
All of us at the ArtBridges/ToileDesArts office

Seasons Greetings from ArtBridges/ToileDesArts!

Seasons Greetings from ArtBridges / ToileDesArts!

To all our friends and community partners, we wish you a creative, joyful, community-engaged, artistic, restful, inspired, snowy, cozy, warm and wonderful time over the holidays!

And… if anyone is so inspired to doodle over the holidays… pick up a pencil, haul out your sketch pad and ignite your imagination… there are three Canada-wide contests / calls for submissions in community arts that we are aware of. Please pass this on to your friends, co-workers and/or fellow community arts program participants. You don’t have to be a graphic designer and perfection is not required. All are looking for imaginative and creative concepts from young and older Canadians. Here’s the info:

1) “Help us create a new logo for ArtBridges / ToileDesArts. We are calling creative stripes of all ages, from 3 to 130, to help us design a new logo that best represents the term “ArtBridging”. It doesn’t necessarily have to include an image of a bridge (though we do like our bridges).” Submissions due January 30th, prize available. See more here.

2) “ The Michaëlle Jean Foundation (FMJF) and EQ3 invite creative young people, 15 – 30 years old, to Imagine… a Better Community and submit original artwork depicting what they envisage to Generation Art.” Submissions due January 10th, prize available. See more here and watch this to learn more.

3) “ The Centre for Environmental Health Equity (CEHE) and the Sustainable Thinking and Expression for Public Spaces (STEPS) Initiative are seeking creative expressions on children’s environmental health issues for inclusion in the Knowledge Leaders in Children’s Environmental Health National Training Program.” Due January 30th, all ages. See more here.

All the best for a happy and healthy new year!

Seanna Connell
Project Director, on behalf of the ArtBridges / ToileDesArts team

p.s. If you haven’t received our newsletters, you can view them here in.pdf format: ArtBridges’ Second Newsletter! / Le deuxième bulletin de ToileDesArts! If you’d like to subscribe to future newsletters from ArtBridges / ToileDesArts, click here!

ArtBridges/ToileDesArts vous souhaite de joyeuses fêtes!

ArtBridges / ToileDesArts vous souhaite de joyeuses fêtes!

À tous nos amis et à tous nos partenaires, nous souhaitons un temps des fêtes créatif, joyeux, communautaire, artistique, reposant, inspiré, neigeux, confortable, chaleureux et merveilleux!

Et… si vous avez le goût de gribouiller pendant le temps des Fêtes, prenez un crayon, votre tablette à dessin et laissez libre cours à votre imagination…car trois concours pancanadiens attendent vos propositions! Merci de faire circuler l’invitation à vos amis, à vos collègues ou aux autres participants de projets d’art communautaire. Pas besoin d’être graphiste, la perfection n’est pas un critère de participation! Tous ces concours cherchent des concepts créatifs qui soient l’oeuvre de jeunes et de moins jeunes du pays.

1) Aidez-nous à créer un nouveau logo pour ArtBridges / ToileDesArts. Que vous ayez 3 ans ou 130 ans, nous faisons appel à votre créativité pour nous aider à concevoir un nouveau logo pour représenter « ArtBridging ». Il n’est pas nécessaire qu’un pont soit représenté dans le logo (bridge signifie « pont ») même si nous aimons les ponts! Date limite de soumission : 30 janvier. Prix à gagner! Cliquez ici pour en savoir davantage.

2) La Fondation Michaëlle Jean (FMJF) et EQ3 invitent les jeunes créateurs de 15 à 30 ans à imaginer… une meilleure collectivité et à soumettre leur œuvre originale représentant leur vision à Génération Art. Date limite de soumission : 10 janvier. Prix à gagner! Cliquez ici pour en savoir davantage ou regardez cette vidéo :

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3) Le Centre for Environmental Health Equity (CEHE, Centre pour l’équité en matière de santé environnementale) et Sustainable Thinking and Expression for Public Spaces (STEPS) Initiative (Initiative pour la pensée et l’expression durables pour les espaces publics) recherchent des contributions créatives sur les enjeux reliés à la santé environnementale des enfants pour les inclure dans le programme de formation national Knowledge Leaders in Children’s Environmental Health (Têtes de file du savoir sur la santé environnementale des enfants). Date limite de soumission: 30 janvier. Les personnes de tous âges peuvent participer. Cliquez ici pour en savoir davantage.

Nos meilleurs voeux! Nous vous souhaitons une heureuse année en santé!

Seanna Connell
Directrice de projet, de la part de l’équipe de ArtBridges/ToileDesArts

p.s. Si vous ne avez pas reçu notre deuxième bulletin, vous pouvez le visionner en format pdf en cliquant ici: Le deuxième bulletin de ToileDesArts! / ArtBridges’ Second Newsletter! Si vous souhaitez vous abonner pour recevoir les prochains bulletins, cliquez ici!