December 5, 2008
Tim has found a car and it is under a crisp and sunny day that we take the scenic route to Fredericton, where the last Regional Forum for 2008 will take place at the Fredericton Arts Centre.
Some 26 people have gathered in the room, with a handful saying at the outset that they will unfortunately not be able to stay to the end. Here again, I take some liberties with the general order of the day and the set up favouring sustained exchanges, my introductory presentation is punctuated by questions and comments, which makes for a livelier atmosphere... I guess I have gained some skills at moderating a session over the past two months!
The conversation here focuses mostly on strategies to develop in order to position the cultural sector’s issues on the public agenda. In order to address the image problem, participants suggest that we really must focus on the vocabulary we use – this theme was also developed in yesterday’s forum in Charlottetown. We must use a language which is as inclusive as possible, but we must be concrete in our examples. We must clearly demonstrate how artists, creators and cultural workers are involved in various structures of society, whether it be the economy, the education system, the health sector, the various volunteer groups, etc. and point to the fact that they are citizens like others even if they make a special contribution to our collective identity and quality of life. This may help eliminate the perception that we all are outsiders, a classy type of panhandlers.
It is also recommended that in our repositioning strategy, we deal with federal politicians in Ottawa last of all. The sector must advocate and build its image at the municipal and provincial levels first, deal locally MPs and MPPs, so that this grass root work can eventually percolate to the highest levels of national government. This is the long term strategy which calls for coordination at all levels, but of course in the short term, people expect the various National Art Service Organizations and the CCA to continue their current advocacy or lobby representations, which are more needed than ever in the current economic and political environment.
On the issue of building solidarity within the cultural sector at large around common interest, one participant insists on the crucial role of communication amongst parties and on the need for give and take. These are skills which obviously need to be developed between us!
Finally, there are some good suggestions made as to how the CCA can broaden its legitimacy base – and eventually increase its revenue, suggestions which I will take to our Membership Committee.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The Charlottetown Forum
December 4, 2008
Thanks to the generosity of Tim Borlase, one of CCA Board members, who has offered to drive me to Prince Edward Island for today’s meeting, I get to finally cross the famous bridge! All along the road, we follow on the radio the historical shenanigans going on in Ottawa and we get to Charlottetown just as the Prime Minister emerges from Rideau Hall to announce that Parliament has been shut down.
Well, that will not prevent us from holding our own parliament in the coach house adjacent to the sumptuous Beaconsfield House, facing the sea. We have 23 people in the room, including the largest number of visual artists in any forum so far, and while the conversations are lively and people have often diverging views, this parliament remains so civilized and disciplined that Speaker Milliken would envy my role as moderator.
The plenary starts with an animated discussion around the issue of the appropriate focus for the CCA: high brow art of enduring quality or commercially successful art forms and popular culture? One participant gets the ball rolling with a defense of what may be described as an elitist view of arts and a rejection of the concept of cultural industries. This is debated from different angles, some people arguing that there is a continuum between these concepts and that we should not create such division amongst cultural workers. Another participant insists on the fact that if we want to convince others, including politicians, of the importance of the arts in our society, we should use their own language and not try to convert them to our own language. Overall, there is a consensus about the strategic wisdom of using the most inclusive language possible.
Another intervener with a long and distinguished career in the arts and in cultural advocacy underlines the cyclical nature of crises afflicting the cultural sector, which support the impression that we never make real progress. He stresses the fact that we concentrate our efforts on politicians, these cycles will go on forever as we have from scratch each time there is a turnover in political elites. The only road to permanent gains is working on our children through a sensitization to arts in our school system, on our neighbours, on our communities. We have to accept that this a long term enterprise.
As for expectations concerning the CCA, one participant says that our most crucial role in his opinion in the coming years is to keep a watchful eye on what is going on in Ottawa and keep the sector informed in a timely fashion about all developments that may affect if.
As we leave Beaconsfield House, literally thousands of crows have invaded the sky. They form sinister garlands in the denuded trees and cover the roof of the magnificent residence of the Lieutenant Governor: it’s like nightmare before Christmas…the noise is deafening!
It must have been an omen: as we approach Moncton, the warning lights on the dashboard light up one after another and we are happy to make it to an exit in time to call CAA! Tim will have to find another vehicle to go to Fredericton tomorrow!
Thanks to the generosity of Tim Borlase, one of CCA Board members, who has offered to drive me to Prince Edward Island for today’s meeting, I get to finally cross the famous bridge! All along the road, we follow on the radio the historical shenanigans going on in Ottawa and we get to Charlottetown just as the Prime Minister emerges from Rideau Hall to announce that Parliament has been shut down.
Well, that will not prevent us from holding our own parliament in the coach house adjacent to the sumptuous Beaconsfield House, facing the sea. We have 23 people in the room, including the largest number of visual artists in any forum so far, and while the conversations are lively and people have often diverging views, this parliament remains so civilized and disciplined that Speaker Milliken would envy my role as moderator.
The plenary starts with an animated discussion around the issue of the appropriate focus for the CCA: high brow art of enduring quality or commercially successful art forms and popular culture? One participant gets the ball rolling with a defense of what may be described as an elitist view of arts and a rejection of the concept of cultural industries. This is debated from different angles, some people arguing that there is a continuum between these concepts and that we should not create such division amongst cultural workers. Another participant insists on the fact that if we want to convince others, including politicians, of the importance of the arts in our society, we should use their own language and not try to convert them to our own language. Overall, there is a consensus about the strategic wisdom of using the most inclusive language possible.
Another intervener with a long and distinguished career in the arts and in cultural advocacy underlines the cyclical nature of crises afflicting the cultural sector, which support the impression that we never make real progress. He stresses the fact that we concentrate our efforts on politicians, these cycles will go on forever as we have from scratch each time there is a turnover in political elites. The only road to permanent gains is working on our children through a sensitization to arts in our school system, on our neighbours, on our communities. We have to accept that this a long term enterprise.
As for expectations concerning the CCA, one participant says that our most crucial role in his opinion in the coming years is to keep a watchful eye on what is going on in Ottawa and keep the sector informed in a timely fashion about all developments that may affect if.
As we leave Beaconsfield House, literally thousands of crows have invaded the sky. They form sinister garlands in the denuded trees and cover the roof of the magnificent residence of the Lieutenant Governor: it’s like nightmare before Christmas…the noise is deafening!
It must have been an omen: as we approach Moncton, the warning lights on the dashboard light up one after another and we are happy to make it to an exit in time to call CAA! Tim will have to find another vehicle to go to Fredericton tomorrow!
The Moncton Forum
December 3, 2008
The room generously provided by the Capitol Theatre in Moncton is filled to capacity : 46 participants, almost exclusively Acadians, have come to meet with the CCA National Director, hear about the organization and discuss how we can better work together to position arts and culture on the public agenda. One thing is clear from the outset : the CCA is not well known, its mandate is not clear to most and the work it does not widely acknowledged. If this is the case in a milieu as dynamic and structured as the Acadian cultural sector, we have got our work cut out. The message in this respect is very clear : raise your profile, work on networking and personal relationships and target your communications!
The vitality of the Acadian artistic community is once again manifest in the interest given to the challenges facing the whole sector in these difficult times. There has been here, over the past four years, a unique and extremely well orchestrated campaign of mobilization of all sectors interested one way or another in culture (artistic, education, business, the three levels of government and other elements of civil society). This has led to the development of a socio-economic strategy largely centered on creativity in all aspects. The whole venture makes one wonder if such a coordinated movement will ever be possible at the national level! After all, this initiative is based on a collective identity developed over centuries, a sentiment of community with little equivalent and a leadership who is politically savvy and has been very successful against all odds.
I’ll report only on the discussion concerning priorities. The first one identified by all participants concerns the reaffirmation of Ottawa’s role in supporting arts and culture. As long as this country wants to remain a distinct entitiy in the international community, the federal government must acknowledge that it has a crucial role to play, in coordination with the provinces, the municipalities and the private sector, in ensuring the vitality of our arts and culture sector.
Other priorities identified : the promotion of the creative economy, the improvement of the socio-economic status of artists and creators and the democratization of access to culture. But it is made clear to me that the immediate priority for the CCA as an organization is to develop and sustain its networking with other organizations across the country : only thus can it hope to fulfill the unique role it has to help identify common objectives and harmonized strategies to achieve them. Sustained consultation and dialogue must be at the top of the agenda : only thus will the CCA be able to engage its constituencies in the pursuit of the common good and only thus will it be able to increase the resources at its disposal.
I leave the meeting convinced of at least one thing : if we pursue those priorities, the CCA can count of the active support of the Acadian community. Can one ask for more!
The room generously provided by the Capitol Theatre in Moncton is filled to capacity : 46 participants, almost exclusively Acadians, have come to meet with the CCA National Director, hear about the organization and discuss how we can better work together to position arts and culture on the public agenda. One thing is clear from the outset : the CCA is not well known, its mandate is not clear to most and the work it does not widely acknowledged. If this is the case in a milieu as dynamic and structured as the Acadian cultural sector, we have got our work cut out. The message in this respect is very clear : raise your profile, work on networking and personal relationships and target your communications!
The vitality of the Acadian artistic community is once again manifest in the interest given to the challenges facing the whole sector in these difficult times. There has been here, over the past four years, a unique and extremely well orchestrated campaign of mobilization of all sectors interested one way or another in culture (artistic, education, business, the three levels of government and other elements of civil society). This has led to the development of a socio-economic strategy largely centered on creativity in all aspects. The whole venture makes one wonder if such a coordinated movement will ever be possible at the national level! After all, this initiative is based on a collective identity developed over centuries, a sentiment of community with little equivalent and a leadership who is politically savvy and has been very successful against all odds.
I’ll report only on the discussion concerning priorities. The first one identified by all participants concerns the reaffirmation of Ottawa’s role in supporting arts and culture. As long as this country wants to remain a distinct entitiy in the international community, the federal government must acknowledge that it has a crucial role to play, in coordination with the provinces, the municipalities and the private sector, in ensuring the vitality of our arts and culture sector.
Other priorities identified : the promotion of the creative economy, the improvement of the socio-economic status of artists and creators and the democratization of access to culture. But it is made clear to me that the immediate priority for the CCA as an organization is to develop and sustain its networking with other organizations across the country : only thus can it hope to fulfill the unique role it has to help identify common objectives and harmonized strategies to achieve them. Sustained consultation and dialogue must be at the top of the agenda : only thus will the CCA be able to engage its constituencies in the pursuit of the common good and only thus will it be able to increase the resources at its disposal.
I leave the meeting convinced of at least one thing : if we pursue those priorities, the CCA can count of the active support of the Acadian community. Can one ask for more!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
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.
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.
The Halifax Forum
December 1, 2008
Well, Air Canada cannot blame the weather for this one, but thanks to their usual service standards, I made it to Halifax four hours late, thankfully, just in time for the meeting which was taking place at the Dalhousie University Arts Centre. Nice attendance: forty people, covering most disciplines and with representatives from the federal, provincial and municipal governments. I am told by those in the know that I could not have hoped for a more representative group!
I can believe it. The exchanges are lively, the perspectives diverse, but the general views on issues fairly consensual. One participant deplores the fact that, judging from my blogs, it’s pretty much “same old, same old”: the arts community has been making the same evaluation and pushing the same ideas for many years without much progress accomplished to address the challenges facing it.
I must confess I am still relative new to this environment and may have the wrong take on things, but it seems to me that our evaluation of the current situation should be more positive. During these forums across the country, I have sensed a strong conviction that we must overcome the fragmentation and the purely self-interested perspective and create consensus and common action around a small number of common objectives. Surely, if there is such a will, we should be able to find a way, no?
On another front, some people express serious concerns about devolution by Ottawa of cultural responsibility to the provinces. Could the federal government take pretext of the role played by the arts in the recent election and of the demands of the Quebec government, to disengage as much as possible from spending in arts and culture and devolving this responsibility as much as possible to the provinces? After all, except for copyright and broadcasting, which are of exclusive federal jurisdiction, the Constitution is silent on who is responsible for arts and culture!
As in other cities, participants here strongly stress the importance of using an inclusive definition of arts and culture and of establishing strong relationships with other sectors in society which have a stake in arts. Including arts training and appreciation into school curriculums, from primary through to high school, is deemed particularly important if we ever want to change the perception that culture is a luxury in our lives, reserved for the elite. Arts and culture permeates our lives in ways we are often not aware of and any positioning of this sector in our society must start there.
Well, Air Canada cannot blame the weather for this one, but thanks to their usual service standards, I made it to Halifax four hours late, thankfully, just in time for the meeting which was taking place at the Dalhousie University Arts Centre. Nice attendance: forty people, covering most disciplines and with representatives from the federal, provincial and municipal governments. I am told by those in the know that I could not have hoped for a more representative group!
I can believe it. The exchanges are lively, the perspectives diverse, but the general views on issues fairly consensual. One participant deplores the fact that, judging from my blogs, it’s pretty much “same old, same old”: the arts community has been making the same evaluation and pushing the same ideas for many years without much progress accomplished to address the challenges facing it.
I must confess I am still relative new to this environment and may have the wrong take on things, but it seems to me that our evaluation of the current situation should be more positive. During these forums across the country, I have sensed a strong conviction that we must overcome the fragmentation and the purely self-interested perspective and create consensus and common action around a small number of common objectives. Surely, if there is such a will, we should be able to find a way, no?
On another front, some people express serious concerns about devolution by Ottawa of cultural responsibility to the provinces. Could the federal government take pretext of the role played by the arts in the recent election and of the demands of the Quebec government, to disengage as much as possible from spending in arts and culture and devolving this responsibility as much as possible to the provinces? After all, except for copyright and broadcasting, which are of exclusive federal jurisdiction, the Constitution is silent on who is responsible for arts and culture!
As in other cities, participants here strongly stress the importance of using an inclusive definition of arts and culture and of establishing strong relationships with other sectors in society which have a stake in arts. Including arts training and appreciation into school curriculums, from primary through to high school, is deemed particularly important if we ever want to change the perception that culture is a luxury in our lives, reserved for the elite. Arts and culture permeates our lives in ways we are often not aware of and any positioning of this sector in our society must start there.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
The Saskatoon Forum
November 27, 2008
It’s a cold day in Saskatoon, but the sun is shining so brightly that I opt for the 30 minute walk that will take me to the Mendel Art Gallery, beautifully located on the bank of the South Saskatchewan River, where today’s Forum is held.
The turn out is good, some twenty-two people from various sectors of the arts, culture and education community having come to share views on the best way to position the sector's issues in public debate. We cover some of the same ground covered in other consultations, but there are some interesting and original points that are raised.
The first one is a suggestion that one of the reasons that arts and culture have a problem in getting support in a part of the population may be related to the long-held view by Protestant churches that hard work and sports activities are appropriate for a good Christian, but that the arts, while they may not carry the sinful stigma they once suffered from, are still considered a rather frivolous activity, not worthy of public support. It is suggested that maybe the United Church of Canada should be included in any awareness campaign about the importance of culture in our lives!
Here as in Toronto, it is pointed out that another reason for the lack of support may stem from the perception that arts and culture are akin to entertainment and as such, should not need or deserve public money.
On the issue the proper language to use in positioning the sector, someone comments that there is a world of difference for an advocacy group to be called “The Canadian Conference of the Arts” and “Sport Matters”, the former sounding rather elitist while the latter is much more inclusive. I must say that this comment has merit, although I am not quite sure we should rush to forego half a century of brand recognition without having weighed carefully the pros and cons of a name change… but eh, this may well be something to consider as we look at different scenarios on how to organize our common action!
The Saskatoon Forum concludes the tour of central and western Canada. Next week, five more forums in the eastern provinces will complete the series of regional consultations. Given the whirlwind nature of my travels in this last leg of the national tour, I can only hope that the weather cooperates and that I don’t get stranded in some snowed over or fogged in airport!
It’s a cold day in Saskatoon, but the sun is shining so brightly that I opt for the 30 minute walk that will take me to the Mendel Art Gallery, beautifully located on the bank of the South Saskatchewan River, where today’s Forum is held.
The turn out is good, some twenty-two people from various sectors of the arts, culture and education community having come to share views on the best way to position the sector's issues in public debate. We cover some of the same ground covered in other consultations, but there are some interesting and original points that are raised.
The first one is a suggestion that one of the reasons that arts and culture have a problem in getting support in a part of the population may be related to the long-held view by Protestant churches that hard work and sports activities are appropriate for a good Christian, but that the arts, while they may not carry the sinful stigma they once suffered from, are still considered a rather frivolous activity, not worthy of public support. It is suggested that maybe the United Church of Canada should be included in any awareness campaign about the importance of culture in our lives!
Here as in Toronto, it is pointed out that another reason for the lack of support may stem from the perception that arts and culture are akin to entertainment and as such, should not need or deserve public money.
On the issue the proper language to use in positioning the sector, someone comments that there is a world of difference for an advocacy group to be called “The Canadian Conference of the Arts” and “Sport Matters”, the former sounding rather elitist while the latter is much more inclusive. I must say that this comment has merit, although I am not quite sure we should rush to forego half a century of brand recognition without having weighed carefully the pros and cons of a name change… but eh, this may well be something to consider as we look at different scenarios on how to organize our common action!
The Saskatoon Forum concludes the tour of central and western Canada. Next week, five more forums in the eastern provinces will complete the series of regional consultations. Given the whirlwind nature of my travels in this last leg of the national tour, I can only hope that the weather cooperates and that I don’t get stranded in some snowed over or fogged in airport!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
The Winnipeg Forum
November 26, 2008
For some reason, either e-invite got lost in cyberspace or I have come to Manitoba on a particularly busy day for the arts and culture sector (I refuse to consider it’s for lack of interest in the topic!) but the meeting at the Cinémathèque on Arthur Street is a very intimate affair! All in all, eight people have gathered in the nice little auditorium…
But I must say that what we lack in numbers is more than made up in interest and insightful comments. As in other cities, I find here mixed feelings about the outcome of having seen the arts and culture play a prominent role in the last federal election. The main upside seems to be that it was an occasion for the sector in Winnipeg to come together (I am told there was here a very well attended all-candidates meeting during the campaign).
I don’t think it was to make up for the low turnout or to console me, but I must say I was particularly touched by the testimonies of appreciation I received for the work of the CCA in general and for the tools provided during the campaign in particular.
The format of the Forum was adjusted to the size of the group and allowed for more of a dialogue than usual. We covered pretty much the same ground as in other forums, about the necessity to remedy the fragmentation of the sector, the need for forging alliance with others, the importance of the medias in recasting the perception people have of arts and culture, the usefulness of the internet to activate networks and share information. The need for statistics and research to support our representations to the public at large and to decision-makers in particular was highlighted. People clearly indicated that the CCA could play a crucial role in this respect but also acknowledged that it would need to be better resourced.
We spent some time discussing the importance of adopting an inclusive definition of the sector to include other elements of culture beyond "the arts", without however falling into an overextended quasi-anthropological definition of culture.
We talked about the possibility of creating a link between provincial organizations and the CCA, without having to create yet another anemic structure. The idea of extending to the whole country the operation “Journées de la culture”, so successful in Québec, drew a lot of interest.
Half the group then went to a pub to continue the discussion in a more relaxed atmosphere and explore further how the CCA could be better connected to the Manitoban arts community. All in all, a very positive and pleasant encounter!
For some reason, either e-invite got lost in cyberspace or I have come to Manitoba on a particularly busy day for the arts and culture sector (I refuse to consider it’s for lack of interest in the topic!) but the meeting at the Cinémathèque on Arthur Street is a very intimate affair! All in all, eight people have gathered in the nice little auditorium…
But I must say that what we lack in numbers is more than made up in interest and insightful comments. As in other cities, I find here mixed feelings about the outcome of having seen the arts and culture play a prominent role in the last federal election. The main upside seems to be that it was an occasion for the sector in Winnipeg to come together (I am told there was here a very well attended all-candidates meeting during the campaign).
I don’t think it was to make up for the low turnout or to console me, but I must say I was particularly touched by the testimonies of appreciation I received for the work of the CCA in general and for the tools provided during the campaign in particular.
The format of the Forum was adjusted to the size of the group and allowed for more of a dialogue than usual. We covered pretty much the same ground as in other forums, about the necessity to remedy the fragmentation of the sector, the need for forging alliance with others, the importance of the medias in recasting the perception people have of arts and culture, the usefulness of the internet to activate networks and share information. The need for statistics and research to support our representations to the public at large and to decision-makers in particular was highlighted. People clearly indicated that the CCA could play a crucial role in this respect but also acknowledged that it would need to be better resourced.
We spent some time discussing the importance of adopting an inclusive definition of the sector to include other elements of culture beyond "the arts", without however falling into an overextended quasi-anthropological definition of culture.
We talked about the possibility of creating a link between provincial organizations and the CCA, without having to create yet another anemic structure. The idea of extending to the whole country the operation “Journées de la culture”, so successful in Québec, drew a lot of interest.
Half the group then went to a pub to continue the discussion in a more relaxed atmosphere and explore further how the CCA could be better connected to the Manitoban arts community. All in all, a very positive and pleasant encounter!
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