The Cultural Human Resources Council is working on a national survey of the cultural sector. This survey will determine workers' wages and benefits as they currently stand within our community. The survey's results will be presented this spring at the Chalmers conference.

I hope you will make time to fill it in as it is crucial to have statistics on our the artist- run centres in the context of the national cultural sector. The survey deadline has been pushed to March 28.

For your convenience, the Cultural Compensation Survey for Management and Administration is attached. You can also fill in the survey on- line. Please see the website location below.

The information below is provided by Deloitte & Touche, the company that is conducting the survey.

Dear Participant:

As indicated in a previous communication, the Cultural Human Resources Council (CHRC) has retained Deloitte & Touche LLP to assist in undertaking a comprehensive compensation survey of cultural administrators and managers as part of the Creative Management project. In support of this important initiative, a number of participation options are provided for your consideration and ease of response. A secure website has been designed for the purpose of data collection and may be accessed at <http://edge.dtplanet.ca/igsurvey/>. The site includes registration instructions ensuring the confidentiality of all data that are provided. Alternatively, an excel spreadsheet file is attached that you can “down-load”, and once completed, you can either e-mail to tkennedy@deloitte.ca or fax back to (613) 567-1666 to the attention of Trina Kennedy.

The survey covers 20 positions. However, given the range of organizations that will be responding to the survey, not all positions may be applicable to your organization. In order to assist you in selecting the appropriate positions to match with your organization, we have included brief profiles for each of the benchmark positions. We would ask that you read the descriptions and indicate (in the space provided on the data collection tool), the quality of match. “Quality of Match” refers to whether the position you have selected as a match to the one described in the survey is less, equal or greater in terms of roles and responsibilities.

While a comprehensive survey findings report will be available for purchase from the CHRC, Deloitte & Touche LLP will provide each participant organization with a summary report in appreciation of your participation. The report will include the names of all participant organizations, but will not disclose any organizationally specific data (e.g. all results will be reported in composite, aggregate form only).

We trust that the attached materials are self-explanatory. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Lindsey Hamilton at (613) 751-5317 or at lindhamilton@deloitte.ca. On behalf of the CHRC, thank you in advance for your participation in this strategically important initiative.

Sincerely,

DELOITTE & TOUCHE

Sandra Haydon
Senior Manager

Melinda Mollineaux reported that the last Peer Assessment Committee expressed the need for greater flexibility in making decisions about publishing as part of establishing centres' internal priorities. This may have resulted in fewer publications and dissemination projects.

François Lachapelle invited ARC communities to seriously debate the role of publications, and to evaluate dissemination /distribution plans and strategies. It is only when dissemination /distribution plans and strategies have been well thought through that the Canada Council can allocate more money.

Visiting Artists Program:

Cindy Baker reported on the importance of visiting artists to many of the regions. This view was supported by all.


2. Aboriginal Representation

Cindy Baker and Reona Brass outlined the specific nature of Plains Region centres. The plains region represents a demographic which is distinct within Canada. Their two elected representatives reflect strong aboriginal production unique to this region. One third of the ARCs in Saskatchewan and Manitoba are first nations centres.

PARCA's purpose is to actively address concerns within their region, represent their issues at a regional, national and international level. They are committed to dialogue, unity, advocacy, networking and ensuring fair representation.

Reona Brass asserted that her involvement in this working group is on behalf of the region since the diversity of aboriginal artists nationally precludes one representative standing in for all aboriginal groups.


3. Diversity and Outreach

Rachel Kalpana James described SAVAC as a unique kind of artist-run centre that does not have an exhibition space. SAVAC is a cross-disciplinary model that works with a variety of organizations to build relationships and attract diverse audiences. She reported on the need for the integration of diversity in the planning and values of artist-run centres. She added that diversity provides many views and perspectives which can enlarge our networks.

She encouraged ARCs to make diversity a long term objective, as integration is a process that develops over time. She invited the ARCs to identify the practices that have created barriers and address how these barriers can be removed.

Soraya Peerbaye reported on the Stand Firm project which is providing professional development opportunities to 50 organizations across all disciplines for networking and skill building.

Jim Logan reported that he sees a steady improvement in diversity issues and encourages improved north-south communication.

Anne Gamberg reported on challenges in her region, and highlighted the difficulty in maintaining connections to young artists.


4. Visual Arts Funding

Lorna Brown requested that the statistical information about audiences, volume of programs, etc. be made available to ARCs to use in their regional advocacy efforts. She also requested that information about program resources, i.e.. the percentage of Visual Arts budget that is allocated to the ARC program, be made available.

François responded that the allocation per program is available in the Annual Report, accessible on-line. The 2002/03 report will be released after the June Council Board meeting.

François reported on the progress of internal research documents. A pre-research document focused upon what data is available and what is missing. In Summer 2003, a database of three years of information, including budgets by region, should be available.

Bastien reported that in Quebec, ARCs provincial support combines visual art and media centres, a different model than at Canada Council. At CC, there is an arbitrary balance between ARCs, public galleries and museums in which ARCs do not necessarily benefit. This model may be adopted by the Quebec Council and his members are concerned. He feels that Canada Council should make a distinction between ARCs and other organizations based on our focus upon research and exploration and that our sector should be more visibly supported. He posed the question: How many centres are not supported by Council and why?

François responded that within the Visual Arts section, there has been a sustained effort to catch up from the setbacks of the 90’s. The ARC program has received a 44% increase while the public galleries and museums program has received a 12% increase.

François reported on Council’s efforts in encouraging Heritage Canada to become more responsible to Visual Arts organizations. A working group between CC and Heritage is collaborating on long range planning to integrate Visual Arts perspectives into Heritage programs. There needs to be more resources that are allocated to Visual Arts and action that will complement CC Programs. ARCs should request representation on this working group. He underlined the importance of working together for an improved federal awareness of ARCs by contributing to the education of Heritage Canada about our needs and role in the national community.

In summation, François concluded that, while ARCs will continue to grow disproportionately within Visual Arts, existing centres deserve opportunities to grow and develop and that our network needs to consolidate and diversify sources of income.

-------------------------------------------------------------------- Afternoon --------------------------------------------------------------------

Chair: François Lachapelle

1. Professionalization

François introduced the topic of professionalization. He acknowledged that artist-run centres are extremely professional in their activities. He stressed the need for ARCs to go to the next step by investing in human resources by developing our expertise and administrative skills and by defining our professional standards. These professional standards include improved wages, benefits, improving the quality of the work environment, the professional standards of the exhibition spaces, the visibility to the public and the quality of the dissemination materials such as publicity materials.

François posed the question: Does the working group feel there should be a change in criteria to the ARC program to achieve these professional standards?

Gary Hall presented ARCCO's 2000 & 2002 Administrator Survey Reports which provide data on the working conditions of Ontario's artist- run centres directors. Both surveys reveal the need for improvement in the following areas: wages, reduction of overtime and unpaid time, the need for job stability, benefits, and funds for professional development. (These documents are available in English only, contact the ARCCO office @ 519.672.7898, or by email at jewel.goodwyn@sympatico.ca)

Bastien Gilbert reported on the work of RCAAQ. With HRDC staff, they have compiled Dictionnaire des compétences en gestion, production et diffusion des arts visuels, a dictionary of competencies in management, production, dissemination and professionalization. This document identified all tasks completed by ARC staff members and was used to provide support for funding requests to various agencies involved in job training. They have hired a coordinator of professional development for their members and offer courses for training in management. They have developed models for contracting all professionals and a prototype of employment contracts for members. (A hardcopy report is available in French only, contact the RCAAQ office @ 514.842.3984,or it can be downloaded from the CQHRC`s website www.cqhrc@cqrhc.com at the following page: http://cqrhc.com/publications_frame.html.


The following needs of ARCs were addressed: benefits, fringe benefits, professional development opportunities, job stability, health plans in relation to aging staff, benefits to members as well as staff. Working condition challenges were reported, i.e.. crime and personal safety, inadequate facilities, insecure venues and the disruptions caused by moving venues, staff turnover rates, etc.

Discussion followed concerning the governance of Artist-Run Centres. Boards need to work toward developing long-range sustainable plans.

Micheline Lesage asked if it would be appropriate to have representatives attend centralized training sessions and make the information available to their regions. A discussion was held concerning the value of making information as broadly based as possible. It was noted that peer to peer mentoring is more appropriate to the history and identity of ARCs and the different levels of need and experience would be better served by increased opportunities to exchange strategies and successes.


François asked if the working group wished to make any recommendations regarding these professionalization topics. Working group members preferred to bring their findings back to their associations.

François summarized the discussion, highlighting points that were raised by the working committee:
- improved communication between centres is crucial to professional development
- there is a strong need for peer to peer mentoring
- professional development must be specific to ARCs history and values
- attention needs to be paid to the development and training of younger staff
- need to improve facilities
- national conferences such as the one that will be hosted by RCAAQ in October 2003, as well as the International Festival hosted by PAARC Vancouver February 2004 are good opportunities to focus on ‘best practices’
- time and resources need to be made available to build board expertise, address working conditions, wages and benefits, distribution of information, matched by the objectives of ARCs and a range of agencies.

Council’s role in this work will involve:
- providing opportunities for communication and information sharing
- continued support within existing programs
- encouraging Canada wide projects within the framework of regional organizations
- continued commitment of supplemental funds, should they continue, to the objectives of professionalization
- John Hobday was present and participated in much of the afternoon discussion. At the end of our session he noted that he was a true enthusiast of professional development. To read about one of John Hobdays recent articles on professionalism, see Reality Check: Time for a Period of "Creative Consolidation", International Journal of Arts Management, Volume 5, Number 1, Fall 2002.

This Summary is a compilation of notes taken by ARCCO, Atlantic and PAARC representatives. Thank you to Anne Gamberg and Lorna Brown.

Canadian Heritage Arts Policy Representatives
Ted Bairstow, Acting Director General, Arts Policy (Director, Arts Development and Programs)
Cynthia White Thornley, Director, Arts Financing and Legislation (DAFL)
Luc Martin for Robert Hunter, National Arts Training Contribution Program
Anne Thompson for Bruno Jean, Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program
Roger Gaudet for Michel Lemay, Arts Presentation Canada & Cultural Spaces Canada
Jane Condon, policy advisor, DAFL

ARC Representatives responded to Cynthia White's question:
What do you see as the role of ARCs in the cultural sector?

As regional representatives, we discussed ARCs role in relation to the national community in an introductory sense. We focused on fulfilling the 'research and development' need within the cultural sector, in relation to new practices, new media, and experimental approaches. We spoke about the influence of ARCs on contemporary practices (i.e.. photography and video that is now featured internationally, the impact of our values on larger museums and galleries, the strength of the Canadian visual art scene, etc ) When the conversation moved to audience, we were able to place our audience in a favorable comparison to theatre companies, etc. with similar budgets. We mentioned that in some communities, ARCs are the only accessible venue for the visual and media arts. We also discussed the international nature of our audience, through the production and dissemination of research about the visual arts, and in establishing international networks. We stressed Canada's leadership role in the development and continued growth of ARCs worldwide. We discussed our needs in relation to Canadian Heritage programs.

Sustainability, as an example, has become a relevant issue within our community. Centres with permanent spaces must find ways to meet maintenance needs while other centres face challenges in securing long term venues. We also discussed our professional development needs and the need for peer to peer mentoring. We then mentioned the upcoming conference at Quebec City and the International Festival planned for Vancouver.

The DGAP representative responded well to our presentation, and saw the professional development potential of the International Festival in terms of an examination of models from around the world, and an investigation of models for growth.


During our meeting, DGAP representatives made the following points:

The Arts Section Mandate is:
- to promote excellence in creation
- to provide access for Canadians to cultural opportunities
- to ensure the sustainability of the sector

The Arts Presentation Program is:
- available to presenters
- for festivals, events, performance art
- engaged in audience development and marketing

The Cultural Spaces Program targets:
- renovations and equipment

The Sustainability Program targets:
- projects in managing structural change
- planning
- expertise building
- board governance
- broad definition of development
- reporting phase and implementation phase
- deficit reduction

Collaboration with Canada Council and Foreign Affairs

A joint study about Visual Arts is in progress between representatives from these agencies. The study aims to:
- create a profile of the sector
- evaluate strengths and weaknesses in the sector
- gather statistics plus qualitative assessments
- will be available on the website in 8 - 10 weeks

Draft notes provided by Lorna Brown.

Additional Note from Jane Condon: The ARCs, individually, may be eligible for the Capacity Building component of the Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability Program (CAHSP) which is administered through the regional offices of the department (except for national organizations). Individual ARCs might also be eligible for support from Cultural Spaces Canada (CSC) or, for festival-type events, from Arts Presentation Canada (APC). Full details of all Canadian Heritage programs are available on the website: www.canadianheritage.gc.ca. Follow the links to programs or to arts.