In June 2012, we posted a story about The Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) vowing to continue its important work in spite a total loss of Federal Funding. The CCA is moving forward with its restructuring plan, and is looking for the support of Canadians who love the arts and are involved in the Cultural sector. 

The CCA is a not-for-profit, non-partisan member-based orga­ni­za­tion that rep­re­sents the inter­ests of over 400,000 artists, cul­tural pro­fes­sion­als from all dis­ci­plines of Canada’s vast arts, cul­ture and her­itage com­mu­nity. It supports the development and adoption of policies to ensure the vitality of the Canadian cultural sector and access to culture by all Canadians.

Theatre Alberta is a member and a proud supporter of the CCA, and we encourage all Theatre Alberta members to join our support of this great organization. Below you will find an email sent out by Alain Pineau, National Director, updating the status of the CCA and an overview of what’s ahead. A membership form and testimonials are attached below.

For those of you in Edmonton, the Edmonton Arts Council (EAC) is giving individual memberships in the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) to the first 100 individual EAC members to reply to its offer. Please contact the EAC for more information.

October 4, 2012

Dear friend,

I am writing to you today to give you an update on the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA). When we met at the beginning of this year, I was in the throes of a national tour that took me to seventeen cities across Canada. I met with over five hundred Canadians concerned for the future of arts and culture in our country. Everywhere I went, I encountered overwhelming support for more unity within the art, culture and heritage communities. Everywhere, people recognized the unique role an overarching cultural organization like the Canadian Conference of the Arts plays within Canadian society.

You attended my presentation because of your concern for the future of Canada’s arts and culture. The Canadian cultural sector is at a crossroads. The combined effects of technology, the economy, challenging demographics, policy changes and the emergence of new players demands new ways of thinking to ensure the vitality of our cultural expressions. Now more than ever, there is a need for Canadians to work together for the benefit of the cultural sector.

It is based on this recognition that the CCA’s Board and staff are working hard to implement an ambitious five-year business plan. This plan was developed in anticipation of the federal government discontinuing 37 years of financial support. On April 11 of this year, we received confirmation that this relationship would indeed end, effective March 31, 2013.

Since April 11, the CCA has actively pursued its goal of achieving financial independence while remaining a strong and unique voice for art, culture and heritage at the national level, as well as a democratic forum for the development of cultural policies.

· We first ensured that CCA members support the implementation of our challenging business plan. Response so far has been very positive with membership renewals flowing in.
· We filed a grant application in July with an Ontario-based foundation for operating funding over the next two years.
· We received confirmation that a private funder will grant us $225,000 of financial support spread over the next five years (public announcement to be made shortly).
· We have secured money for two paid six-month internships and, in October, will benefit from two graduate interns funded by the European Commission.

More importantly still, we are developing new research projects with academic partners while improving services we already provide. Further details about the CCA’s reinvention process appear in the June edition of The Magazine, with subsequent updates in the CCA blogs.

We can succeed with this exciting project only if we can count on the support of all of those who, like you, care about Canadian culture. If you are not already a member of the CCA, won’t you consider joining today? You can make a difference. A page of testimonials is attached to share with you what others value about the CCA.

If you are not ready to commit to membership but still want to show your support for the CCA’s work, then why not become a “Friend of the CCA”? For a donation of as little as $20, you can actively voice your support, get a tax donation receipt and subscribe to the CCA’s electronic mailings on key issues in the arts and culture sector. You may join OR donate today by using the attached membership form. Alternatively, you may join or donate directly online at http://ccarts.ca/join/. If you are already a member, allow me to thank you for your continued support of the CCA.

Let’s work together to better affect public policies that ensure the vitality of arts, culture and heritage in our country!

Alain Pineau
National Director

– CCA MEMBERSHIP FORM – SEPTEMBER 2012
– Testimonials 18 sept 2012