Announcing LEARN IT | BUILD IT | MANAGE IT 2019-2020!

LEARN IT | BUILD IT | MANAGE IT is back! This two part workshop and webinar series will be offered over 2019-20 in the communities of Kitchener, Cambridge, Orangeville, Waterloo and Guelph. Through this series, ABO and presenting partners will be sharing local examples and strategies related to four key areas that support creative space capital projects. These include: Alternative Financing, Community Engagement, Building and Maintaining creative spaces.

PART 1 WORKSHOPS IN 2019

LEARN IT | BUILD IT | MANAGE IT PART 1 will offer two sessions on Alternative Financing for Capital Projects and Engaging Community in Capital Projects.

Alternative Financing for Capital Projects

While securing funds to renew and develop creative spaces is often top of mind for arts leaders, the answer is never simple. In this session, we will explore alternative funding and financing methods that can help creative spaces support their projects. Drawing on recent examples and local successes, Julia Vlad, Vice President of Lending for the Community Forward Fund, will offer insights and alternative strategies to finance capital projects.

This session is intended for non-profit arts, culture, heritage, faith and community organizations looking for solutions to financing their current or upcoming creative space project.

About our Presenter Juila Vlad

Julia Vlad leads the investment and portfolio management for the Community Forward Fund and the Canadian Co-operative Investment Fund. She has over ten years of experience in banking, finance and the non-profit sector. Her experience includes investing and portfolio management at the World Bank’s private sector arm, IFC, in Panama, Senegal and USA; advising social entrepreneurs at an accelerator in Nicaragua and financial analysis and forecasting at Scotiabank. She holds an MBA from HEC Paris, a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto and is a CFA charter holder.

About the Community Forward Fund

The Community Forward Fund (CFF) is an $11 million fund that provides loans to organizations that are committed to making a difference in their communities. We provide loans tailored to the needs of non-profits, Charities and social-enterprises – flexible financing that supports delivery of their mission and growth of enterprises. We also build financial capacity through financial reviews and coaching services. To date, CFF has advanced $18 million in loans to over 45 organizations across 8 sectors and 7 provinces and territories.

 

Engaging Community in Capital Projects

When building or renovating a creative space, uncovering and integrating community needs are essential for the success of a project. In this session, Jeremy Freiburger, Chief Connector and Cultural Strategist of Cobalt Connect, will be sharing strategies and recommendations for engaging the local community in capital projects and developing creative spaces around community needs.

This session is intended for non-profit arts, culture, heritage, faith and community organizations looking to engage community in their current or upcoming creative space project.

About our Presenter Jeremy Freiburger

Jeremy Freiburger is the Chief Connector and Cultural Strategist of Cobalt Connect. Jeremy has been a leader in Hamilton’s creative community for over 15 years. His experience ranges from producing award-winning theatre and ballet with the RBC Festival of Classics and Canadian Ballet Youth Ensemble, to developing more than 200,000 square feet of studio facilities, to writing policy and plans for municipalities focused on creative sector development.

Focusing primarily on regional and municipal partnership development, and organizational development, Jeremy is the founder of Cobalt Connects. Jeremy has spoken at dozens conferences on the subject of creative community economic development, and has sat on many boards and committees including the Our Cultural Community Committee (Chair, City of Hamilton Cultural Plan), Supercrawl, CANVAS and the Bay Area Restoration Council.

About Cobalt Connect

Cobalt Connects is a non-profit arts service organization designated by the Ontario Arts Council. Cobalt Connects was initially created to address the need for affordable artist studios and cultural spaces, but has grown over the past fifteen years into a dynamic organization with expertise in cultural programming, research, and implementation.

Dividing its activities into four core areas (Space, Exchange, Consulting and Public Art), Cobalt Connects is actively playing a role in developing cultural capacity in Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford, Barrie and dozens of other municipalities each year.  Our on-the-ground experience in arts programming and implementation combined with our extensive research and policy development with municipalities makes us a unique partner for a wide variety of projects.

 

WORKSHOP LOCATIONS AND DATES:

KITCHENER
Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Time: 9:30 a.m.  – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery
Host: City of Kitchener
Register HERE!

CAMBRIDGE
Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Time: 9:30 a.m.  – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Cambridge Centre for the Arts, Donaldson Room
Host: City of Cambridge
Register HERE!

ORANGEVILLE
Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Time: 9:30 a.m.  – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Theatre Orangeville
Host: Theatre Orangeville
Register HERE!

WATERLOO
Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Time: 9:30 a.m.  – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Visitor & Heritage Centre
Host: City of Waterloo
Register HERE!

GUELPH
Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Time: 9:30 a.m.  – 3:00 p.m.
Location: 10 Carden
Host: Guelph Arts Council
Register HERE!

Learn more about Webinars and Part 2 Workshops on the LEARN IT | BUILD IT | MANAGE IT program page. 

This program is presented in partnership with the Community Forward Fund, Cobalt Connects, the Dalton Company and WalterFedy

LEARN IT | BUILD IT | MANAGE IT is generously supported by the the Ontario Trillium Foundation


Work with us! We are hiring a Community Coordinator

Job Description

Reporting to the Program & Assistant Executive Director, duties include: supporting rentals at 44 Gaukel (an arts and tech hub in downtown Kitchener); supporting ArtsBuild Ontario’s (ABO) programs as needed; actively working with organizations to list their rentals on SpaceFinder across Ontario. This will involve outreach to creative spaces across the province.

Key Responsibilities

44 GAUKEL

  • Work with Program & Communications Coordinator to support rentals program at 44 Gaukel
  • This involves working with artists, organizations and community groups interesting in using rental spaces
  • Provide tours, coordinate key sign outs, prepare rental agreements and track payments
  • Work with Program & Communications Coordinator to update 44 Gaukel website

SPACEFINDER

  • Work with organizations in listing on SpaceFinder across Ontario; this includes walking organizations through the registration process
  • Work with Program & Communications coordinator to provide support to users
  • Contribute to other outreach and marketing efforts for SpaceFinder, such as social media, blog posts and communications

SOCIAL MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS

  • Work with Program & Communications coordinator to develop social media strategies
  • Support communications plans and develop content for ABO’s blog

Skills Required

  • Post secondary education in related field (arts management, communications, non-profit management)
  • Minimum of 1 year related experience working with non-profit/arts/community organizations
  • Ability to work independently and as a team player within defined timelines
  • Ability to work efficiently and effectively with quick turn-arounds
  • Well organized, self-starter who is attentive to detail
  • Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Demonstrated experience and skill with various social media
  • Previous working experience in database programs and online tools an asset
  • Website experience, specifically Word Press considered an asset
  • Able to multi-task and work well in an entrepreneurial and creative environment
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills
  • Superior interpersonal skills to build enthusiastic partnerships and alliances
  • Willingness and an ability to learn on the job a must
  • Able to work flexible hours, some evenings, weekends and travel required

Learning Opportunities

  • Build experience in social media, marketing and outreach
  • Development and fundraising: soliciting donation, sponsorship requests, auction organization
  • Networking opportunities with arts facilities and arts service organizations across the province
  • Gain applied experience using web-based platforms (Adobe Connects, HootSuite, MailChimp, Survey Monkey, WordPress and Eventbrite)
  • Gain applied experience working with database systems and online tools with SpaceFinder
  • Gain facility management experience through rentals at 44 Gaukel and working with ABO Staff

Additional Info:

  • Downtown Kitchener location
  • Part-time (three days a week, up to 30 hrs/week ,may include weekends and/or evenings)
  • $17-19/hr depending on experience
  • 3-month probationary period
  • Must live in Kitchener-Waterloo

Apply by April 20, 2019

https://charityvillage.com/app/job-listings/fcfbf7d8-1f4c-e911-80da-14187768272a


Announcing Accessibility Webinars for Creative Spaces!

ArtsBuild Ontario is excited to announce upcoming accessibility webinars in the Learning Series! These webinars will focus on accessibility and creative spaces based on the Design for Public Spaces Standard, as part of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA). The webinars will explain how creative spaces need to meet accessible building standards and explore ways creative spaces can go beyond the standards.

The webinars will be supported by a toolkit for creative spaces around the topic of accessibility, which will be released in Spring 2019.

ABO would like to thank its accessibility advisory committee for informing the webinar topics, speakers and upcoming toolkit for creative spaces in Ontario. This project is supported by the Government of Ontario.

Free Webinar: Let’s Talk About Disability and Creative Spaces
Tuesday, January 15, 2019 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EST
Presenters:  Thea Kurdi, Vice President with DesignABLE Environments and Sage Lovell, Founder of Deaf Spectrum 
Register Here

Free Webinar:  Design for Public Spaces 101: Where do Creative Spaces Start?
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EST
Host: 
Thea Kurdi, Vice President with DesignABLE Environments
Presenters: Jay Pitter, Placemaker, Author & City Building, and Yvonne Felix, Senior Manager at CNIB and public/community artist
Register Here

Free Webinar: Design for Public Spaces Advanced: How can Creative Spaces Go Beyond the Standard?
Tuesday, March 12, 2019 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EST
Host:
 Thea Kurdi, Vice President with DesignABLE Environments
Presenters: TBD & Lorene Casiez, Accessibility Strategist, Practice Lead with Human Space
Register Here

Free Webinar: Best Practices for Architects, Designers and Creative Spaces on Accessibility
Tuesday, March 26, 2019 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EST
Host: 
Thea Kurdi, Vice President with DesignABLE Environments
Presenters: Amy Potier, Accessibility and Building Code Specialist with Gensler as well as Corey Timpson, Principal at Corey Timpson Design Inc and former Vice President of Exhibitions at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
Register Here 

Free Webinar: Safety, Fire Codes and Accessibility for Creative Spaces
Tuesday, April 23, 2019 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EST
Host: Thea Kurdi, Vice President with DesignABLE Environments
Presenters: Martin Day, President of Safety Media Inc. and Marnie Peters, Accessibility Specialist
Register Here

Free Webinar: Invisible Disabilities and Creative Spaces
Tuesday, May 14, 2019 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EST
Host: Thea Kurdi, Vice President with DesignABLE Environments
Presenters: Alex Bulmer, Accessibility Consultant & Actor, Writer and Director as well as Andrew Gurza, Disability Awareness Consultant
Register Here

Registration is available through Eventbrite and webinars are delivered through Adobe Connect with closed captioning. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation to register or participate in our webinars, please call 519-880-3670 ext. 101 or email erin@artsbuildontario.ca in advance of your participation.


#ArtsDay 2018 Recap

 

ArtsBuild Ontario (ABO) was thrilled to take part in Arts Day on the Hill 2018 with the Canadian Arts Coalition this year! Over 100 arts advocates across Canada came together on Tuesday, October 2 to discuss how we can continue to support arts and culture in our communities. Over 100 meetings were scheduled with Members of Parliament, Senators and Ministers.

The Canadian Arts Coalition’s Messages

The Canadian Arts Coalition had five messages to share with the Government of Canada this year:

  • Thank you: The Government of Canada’s support encourages investment from the private sector and from other levels of government, helping to maintain a stable and vibrant creative sector.
  • $30 million annual increase to the Canada Arts Presentation Fund (CAPF): to be phased in over three years. By addressing CAPF, we can take advantage of economies of scale through domestic market opportunities (improves ROI) and enhance export readiness.
  • Continue investing in Canada Council for the Arts: Continued investments through the Canada Council for the Arts, and Canadian Heritage programs, strategically support the creative value chain with positive social and cultural returns.
  • Invest in the Canadian Arts Training Fund and Young Canada Works: with an additional $10 million annually for the Canadian Arts Training Fund, and an additional $500,000 for the Young Canada Works to support diverse artistic proactive and support emerging arts administrators.
  • Help in motivating individual donors through the Canada Cultural Investment Fund: This could take the form of an administrative increase to the Endowment Incentives program to grow the number of Canadians who make charitable donations.

Advocating for Creative Spaces

ArtsBuild Ontario spoke to the importance of all five speaking points, but also spoke to the valuable investments made in the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF), creative hubs and cultural infrastructure in both central and rural Ontario communities.

In Budget 2017, the Government of Canada invested $300 million over 10 years in CCSF to further support creative hubs and other cultural spaces. The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund is part of suite of art programs administered by the Department of Canadian Heritage that complements funding delivered by the Canada Council for the Arts.

Our #ArtsDay Team

ArtsBuild Ontario’s Alex Glass was teamed with Lesley Bramhill of the Playwrights’ Workshop Montreal/Canadian Dance Assembly, Janita Grift who is an individual arts administrator/arts advocate, and Robert Steven from the Art Gallery of Burlington. Our team met with Marwan Tabbara, MP for Kitchener-South – Hespeler; Senator Donna Dasko; Zachary Sykes on behalf of Frank Baylis, MP for Pierrefonds-Dollard; and The Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of Democratic Institutions.

We would like to thank the Canadian Arts Coalition for organizing this important and vital day of advocacy for arts and culture!

Read more about #ArtsDay


Announcing the 2018/2019 Learning Series!

 

It’s back! We’re excited to announce our Learning Series is returning this fall with new webinars and a workshop to support arts organizations and their creative spaces. These sessions will provide tools, best practices, and feature guest speakers from the sector to inform and inspire creative space managers.

Many of the webinars in this year’s Learning Series will focus on capital projects and accessibility in creative spaces. Dates for accessibility webinars will be announced later this fall!

Check out our upcoming workshop:

Creative Space Projects: A Brainstorming Workshop 
Facilitator: Lucy White, Principal with the Osbourne Group
Date: Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Waterloo Region Museum, Classroom A
Cost: $15
Register Here

Check out our upcoming webinars:

Free Webinar: Capital Project Case Study: The Tett Centre
Wednesday, October 31 2018 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EST
Presenters: Nadine Baker, Facility Manager and Danielle Folkerts, Marketing and Programming Coordinator at the Tett Centre
Register Here

Free Webinar: Volunteer Boards and Creative Space Projects
Wednesday, November 28, 2018 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EST
Presenters: 
Kevin Puddister, Curator & General Manager at the Dundas Museum & Archives and John Kastner, General Manager at the Stratford Perth Museum
Register Here

Free Webinar: Engaging Community in Municipal Performing Arts Space Projects 
Wednesday, January 30, 2019 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EST
Presenters: 
Steve Solski, Executive Director at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and Kristopher Dell, Director of Production with Civic Theatres Toronto
Register Here

Free Webinar: Alternative Creative Spaces and Adaptive Reuse Projects 
Wednesday, February 27, 2019 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EST
Presenters:
 Kendra Fry, General Manager at Trinity St. Paul’s and Jaime Griffis, Director of Programming and Promotion at Idea Exchange
Register Here

Free Webinar: Working Together: Multi-Partner Creative Space Projects
Wednesday March 27, 2019 | 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EST
Presenters: Alexandra Badzak, President & CEO of the Ottawa Art Gallery and Tam-Ca Vo-Van, Director of Galerie SAW Gallery
Register Here