ProArt Newsletter June 26

ARTS SUMMIT WORKS TOWARDS CULTURAL POLICY FRAMEWORK

The Arts Summit 2013 was held June 21 and 22 at the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre in Vancouver.  Peter Sandmark, Ivan Habel and Jason Dubois, from ProArt, attended. The two day conference worked towards a cultural policy framework for BC, anticipating a year-long process that will reconvene in 2014 with a draft document for discussion and adoption. About 150 people attended, listening to many presentations, notably from New Brunswick music professor Richard Hornsby, who spoke about his experience as one of the architects of New Brunswick’s Cultural Policy, and Richard Evans, former co-director of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Advancement Program, and Vice President of the National Arts Stabilization Fund, who spoke about a new era for the arts, leaving behind the old one structured for growth, where the new era is structured for resilience, as arts organisations need to be adaptive to operating in complex systems, with partnerships, and community engagement.  More info on the summit can be found at www.artssummit.ca

 

PROART WELCOMES NEW BC MINISTER FOR CULTURE

The new Minister for Community, Sport and Cultural Development is Liberal MLA Coralee Oakes, elected in the Cariboo North riding.  Oakes has served as Executive Director of the Quesnel & District Chamber of Commerce since 1999,  and served also as a representative on the provincial Small Business Roundtable and Minister’s Council on Tourism.  Minister Oakes is a past-president of the British Columbia Chamber Executives.  ProArt welcomed the new Minister in a June 14th letter, writing that ProArt “…looks forward to working with you and the government in continuing to secure a strong and stable future for the arts sector, so that we can continue to play our role in building and strengthening social development across all of BC.”

 

NEW PROART EXECUTIVE TO MEET JULY 5

On June 18th, at PoArt’s Annual General Meeting a new Executive was elected: Ivan Habel (BelfryTheatre), Helen Marzolf (Open Space), Patrick Corrigan (Pacific Opera Victoria),  Brian Richmond (Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre), Matthew Payne (Theatre SKAM), and Jason Dubois (Dance Victoria). The new Executive will be meeting July 5th to set priorities.  Please email suggestions and comments to Peter Sandmark, info@poartalliance.ca

 

TOUCHSTONE THEATRE SEEKS GENERAL MANAGER

Vancouver based Touchstone Theatre is seeking a new General Manager to start in September, 2013, with a deadline for applications this Friday, June 28.  For full details see below:

JOB POSTING GENERAL MANAGER

Touchstone Theatre is looking to hire a General Manager. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working closely with the Artistic Director and support staff, the General Manager plays a key role in the administrative and managerial direction of the company. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Fundraising, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals, corporations, foundations

• Marketing Touchstone’s shows, season and for-profit training programme

• Supervising show-related departments including Box Office, Production and Volunteer Co-ordination

• Negotiating with and contracting the self-employed personnel of the organization

• With the Artistic Director, ensuring compliance with collective agreements

• Hiring and supervising all part-time, full-time and seasonal employees in consultation with the

  Artistic Director.
  The ideal candidate will be independent, resourceful, and passionate about theatre, with the following skills:

  • University degree in arts administration or commensurate experience

  • Strong management experience in office systems, budgeting and finance

  • Excellent communication skills (both written and oral)

  • Familiarity with the Vancouver and Canadian performing arts community and the Canadian Theatre Agreement

  • Ability to multi-task and work independently, without direct supervision

  • Enthusiasm for a collaborative work environment and partnership-building

    – Developing and managing the budget and cash flow of the organisation

    – Together with Artistic Director, applying for Municipal, Provincial and Federal grants

    For over 35 years Touchstone Theatre has been a mainstay of theatrical innovation and excellence on the West Coast. The company’s all-Canadian mandate has helped launch and develop some of the country’s most important playwrights and actors, and its substantial body of work has garnered over 60 local and national awards. Now in its fourth decade of production Touchstone remains a lightning rod of theatrical activity. Its purely Canadian focus makes it unique in its region, and its reputation for excellence has earned the respect of audience, critics and colleagues.

     

    Deadline for applications: Friday June 28, 2013

    Start Date: early September, 2013
    Salary commensurate with experience
    Please submit a letter of application and a resume to: louise@touchstonetheatre.com