ADVANCING PLURALISM – CAPACITY BUILDING OF ABORIGINAL AND ETHNO-RACIAL ARTS’ ORGANIZATIONS - DEVELOPMENT PROCESSFUNDING

PROPOSAL1. Introduction:

This is a sectoral initiative to assess the project being developed by Cultural Pluralism in the Arts Movement Ontario (CPAMO) entitledAdvancing Pluralism – Capacity Building of Aboriginal and Ethno-Racial Arts’ Organizations. This process will explore the feasibility of the proposed CPAMO project, including the best ways to establish such a project and to attract the funding to get it off the ground and sustain it. Developmental is needed to undertakeresearch and consultations, including a literature/document review, interviews and focus groups, and receiving comments on drafts of the report that will be developed to address the feasibility of such a project.

CPAMO has been in operation since 2009 and has worked in partnership with a number of organizations to promote pluralism in the arts and to support Aboriginal and ethno-racial artists and arts organizations. As part of CPAMO’s growth, a survey of its members was taken in December 2012 and one of the key findings from this survey was the urgent need of CPAMO members for financial, human and technological resources to sustain and enhance their growth.

This survey was followed up with interviews of a number of CPAMO members to explore in more detail the survey results and to discuss ideas on best ways of moving forward. Resulting from this, CPAMO has developed the draft project entitled Advancing Pluralism – Capacity Building of Aboriginal and Ethno-Racial Arts’ Organizations. To support and assist in the development of this project, CPAMO has also established an Advisory Committee. The CPAMO survey, draft project proposal and Advisory Committee Terms of Reference areappended.

2. Guiding Principles:

Since its establishment in 2009, CPAMO has been guided by a commitment to equity/inclusion and shared learning in the arts. With the involvement of Aboriginal and ethno-racial artists, CPAMO works to build relationships, capacities, cultural competencies and understanding of pluralism in the arts to enhance the profile of Aboriginal and ethno-racial artists, build the interest and capacities of presenters and enable audiences across Ontario to access high quality artistic expressions..

In undertaking this feasibility study, CPAMO seeks to continue its work in this process of capacity building and shared learning.

3. Scope of the Research:

The research will yield information on: (1) Why Such a Project Is Needed Now; and (2) What Will Be Explored.

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3.1 Why Such a Project Is Needed Now and What Will Be Explored:

This will explore the urgency of this project in the context of trends in the arts and society, guided by principles of equity and inclusion. To do this, CPAMO will examine:

Canada And Pluralism.This will include information on demographic changes, particularly the growth of Aboriginal and ethno-racial communities, and the influence on/contributions to globalization, the development of diverse stories and artistic traditions and the impact of these on Canadian cultural identity;

The Current Funding Environment. This will referencethe history of arts funding in Canada and the era beyond historical exclusion of Aboriginal and ethno-racial artists, drawing on evidence of disparities in artists' incomes and funding;

The Challenges of Public Funding in the Arts. In an environment with little growth in public funding dollars for the arts, there is an almost exponential growth in applications for funding, much of it from Aboriginal and ethno-racial artists;

The 'Shared Platform' Conversation and Its Relevance to the Arts. This will look at the dialogue now unfolding following the release of the ‘Shared Platform’ report by Jane Marslandand Choreographing the Future by Shannon Litzenbergerfor the Metcalf Foundation and the growth of this dialogue amongst foundations (e.g., Laidlaw, Metcalf, Trillium) and arts groups;

The Growth of Aboriginal and ethno-racial artists.This will look at the increase in Aboriginal and ethno-racial artists and arts organizations and their disciplines;

Challenges Faced By Artists And Presenters. This will draw data from reports and forums examining how each is making efforts to address demographic changes and developing an understanding of diverse artistic expressions. It will also look at efforts to attract new audiences to the diverse artistic expressions;

Community Engagement. This will look at efforts to engagethe arts, particularly Aboriginal and ethno-racial arts, within diverse communities as an integral component of community well-being.

Following the establishment of the urgency for such a project, the report will explore:

The 'Advancing Pluralism' Program Theme Areas. This will be done to assess the feasibility of the program’s offerings, their relevance to Aboriginal and ethno-racial arts’ organizations and howto develop and roll-out of such services:

Shared Platforms and Collaborative/Co-op Models.This area will assess the appropriate organizational structure needed to support this Program e.g., arts incubator, collaborative/co-op model or 'Shared Platform' and how this dovetails with current models promoting pluralism in the arts;

Eligibility Criteria And Selection Process. This will assess the criteria for entry into the 'Advancing Pluralism' program and the process for selecting Aboriginal and ethno-racial arts’ organizations to participate in this program;

Criteria and Methodology to Assess Participant Financial Needs. This will explore how best to support Aboriginal and ethno-racial arts’ organization who

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may be selected to participate in this project. In essence, to support an equitable approach, there will need to be some criteria to guide how to work with small arts organizations to address their specific needs. For example,while some organizations may do well in generating revenue from the box office, others may not. As such, the criteria for providing specific support to selected organizations will need to be clear as well as the methodology for how such an assessment will be done in a sensitive and supportive manner.

Efforts to Promote Pluralism in the Arts. This will review what is taking place in the arts ecology to support pluralism in the arts. For example, arts councils, e.g., the Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts as well as the Canadian Public Arts Funders, have been actively supporting and exploring mechanisms to support pluralism in the arts. Parallel to this, arts organizations have been actively engaged in this.For example, CPAMO has established several public programs, i.e., Town Halls, building relationships between artists and presenters, conducting research and sharing knowledge, and supporting public engagement activities to promote pluralism in the arts. As well, other arts organizations have been involved in such endeavours, includingthe Neighbourhood Arts Network, Vancouver International Dance Festival, Canada Dance Assembly, Prismatic Theatre Festival, IMPACT Festival, FlatoMarkham Theatre and others.

Resources (Human And Financial) Needed. This will review the 'Advancing Pluralism' programs and the funding, human and technological resources needed to support it

Financial Analysis of Prospective Participants. This would involve a review of a number of Aboriginal and ethno-racial organizations to assess their financial status, including capacities and needs as they may relate to the Advancing Pluralism Program;

Funding Sources And Implementation Options. This will look at the sources of funding to support the 'Advancing Pluralism' program, the process required to receive the funding needed and the methods of accountability for funds received.

Out of the areas explored above, a report will discuss and bring forward recommendations related to:

Program Options for Collaborative Services and Program Implementation With Timeframes. This will include issues related, but not limited, to: diversification of revenue sources for Aboriginal and ethno-racial arts organizations, mentoring supports, knowledge management and sharing, volunteer engagement methods, marketing/promotion of Aboriginal and ethno-racial artists performances/events, community and audience engagement strategies and supports, relationship with presenters, public profile to promote pluralism in the arts through Town Halls, showcases and workshops.

Funding Sources and Processes to Secure Required Funding. This will address the sources for operating and/or project funding needed to successfully support the 'Advancing Pluralism' program.

Outcome And Evaluation Mechanisms. This will set up the criteria and process to

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assess outcomes and impacts of the project. Promotion of The Program to Other Areas. This will address the potential value

of the recommended model and how it might be replicated in other communities across Ontario and Canada.

4. Research Methodology:

There are three principal research methodologies that will be used to produce the document outlined above:(1) a literature/document review; (2) interviews of key peoples;and (3) focus groups with diverse sectors.

Based on these approaches, a first draftwill be prepared and be the source for consultations to review and receive comments on the draft. This will be followed by revisions to the document based on these consultations.  The revised document will be the subject of a second and final consultation and for discussion with potential funders for the proposed project.

A draft bibliography is provided separately and a list of sectors/individuals to be interviewed and/or invited to participate in focus groups is provided below. These individuals and organizations have been identified based on:

i) their knowledge of the arts ecology and how it has evolved in Canada and what they see as the challenges it faces in this area;

ii) possible program collaborators/partners who may have services, knowledge and skills that can be brought in to the project so as to ensure there is no duplication of effort and that potential collaborators and partners are identified and are fully able and ready to participate in the project

Questions will be developed in advance to guide the interviews and focus groups. In terms of the process for interviews and focus groups, it would unfold as follows:

a) the first set of interviews and focus groups take place while the document research is happening.  This will ensure inclusion of these participants at the outset and allow others to contribute ideas and documents to be considered;

b) focus group consultations will then be convened to review a first draft;c) consultations will be held with funding bodies to discuss the document after the

focus group review of the first draft;d) a final consultation will be held to discuss changes to the first draft and to finalize

the report and its recommendations; ande) a final report will then be issued.

4.1 Interviews

Approximately 31interviews will be conducted. It is anticipated that each interview will be for 2 hours. Individuals to be interviewed will be from diverse sectors, including:.

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Former and Current Heads of Arts Councils and Arts Funding Bodies, e.g., John Hobday,,Joyce Zemans, and representatives of the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, Department of Canadian Heritage, Metcalf Foundation, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Toronto Community Foundation;

Universities with programs in the Arts, e.g., OCAD University, York University, University of Toronto Scarborough;

Arts Organization Consultants, e.g., Jane Marsland, Doug Simpson, Peter Brown Voluntary Sector and Heads of Major Arts Programs, e.g., Business for the Arts,

Maytree Foundation, Ontario Non-profit Network, Laidlaw Foundation, TIDES Canada, Banff Centre for the Arts, Toronto District School Board, Institute for Canadian Citizenship, Artscape, Luminato, Work in Culture;

4.2 Focus Groups

There will be approximately six focus groups for a duration of three hours each. There will be an open call for participants to the focus groups with emphasis on the following groups:

Presenters and Arts Services Organizations: FlatoMarkham Theatre, Oakville Centre for the Arts, Rose Theatre, Living Arts Centre, Toronto Centre for the Arts, Community Cultural Impresarios, Prologue to the Performing Arts, Theatre Ontario, CanDanceNetwwork, Canadian Dance Assembly, PACT, Opera Canada, etc.

CPAMORoundtable Members, Neighbourhood Arts Network members and North York Arts, Scarborough Arts, Lakeshore/Etobicoke/Urban Arts

4.3 Drafting Report And Review

Based on the data gathered through the literature/document review as well as interviews and focus groups, the feasibility study will be developed as follows:

3 weeks first draft of feasibility study, including high level financial analysis of prospective participants; one full day first consultation on feasibility study to include presentation and small

group sessions; 1 week revisions based on feedback from review; second consultation - one half day to review changes made as a result of 1st

session; 2 days to make final changes to document

There will be a series of meetings with potential funders following the first full day consultation. This may require between 12-16 hours meetings with potential funders.

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