The St. John's Forum

December 2, 2008


So, what do St. John’s and Winnipeg have in common? Certainly not the weather, for it is a record 17o Celsius when I get to St. John’s! No, it is the number of participants to the forum: eight. However, this does not prevent this meeting form being one of the most animated discussion of all forums so far. It must have been the atmosphere, the beautiful location (The Rooms, overlooking the Narrows - for the uninitiated, this is the most recent arts venue overlooking the entrance to St. John’s harbour) and, of course, the quality and energy of those who showed up.

Given the more intimate nature of the meeting, we could all gather around the same table and have a continuous exchange on the issues at hand. As everywhere else in Canada these days, the conversation started with the current political uncertainty at the federal level and with speculation about the outcome of a situation worthy of the worst commedia dell’arte.

But we did get on with business and as in other forums, there was a broad consensus about the positive and negative aspects of the part played by arts and culture in the last election, the image problem of the sector and the challenges facing all of us in determining and pursuing common objectives for the greater good of all. Here again, the strategic importance of using the internet as a mobilizing tool to promote the sector’s issues was mentioned.

A good part of the discussion was dedicated to the CCA itself and the role it currently plays and could play if it was properly resourced. A participant referred to the very name of the organization, “conference”, to point at its most important role of community building. This can be achieved through a variety of means, from the more expensive to the relatively cheap, from touring the country to holding more conference calls with key organizations. The main challenge facing the CCA is reconnecting with its constituencies in a meaningful way and engaging people in its perspectives, challenges and activities. There was agreement that the CCA should explore ways to reconnect with the provincial level and have some formal link with whatever appropriate organization or group of organizations with which it may establish a sustained relationship. Someone wondered what role the CCA Board members played in this respect and why they were not heard of more in each region.

Another participant mentioned that it was important to keep the notion that individual members are welcome within the CCA but deplored the fact that the current membership fees are quite steep: shouldn’t the CCA seek validation, strength and resources in numbers rather than in higher fees, at least for individuals? It was suggested membership and revenue could be increased via adding a small amount to the membership fees of existing member organizations, thus turning all individual members of those organizations into supporting members.

Tomorrow, heading to Moncton for the next forum.