A golden barn owl reaches it wings upward. Sparks of colour radiate off the wings. The words Réseau SPARC Network are to the right of the owl (SPARC is written in red)

EMBERS
May 2022
Hello SPARC community!
Thank you for joining our mailing list, and welcome to
Embers - SPARC's monthly e-newsletter.
a white poster with square, gold border. The SPARC owl is centre. Writing at the top is gold, below it is grey.
Image Description: the Symposium 2022 logo is on a white background. A golden owl, wings raised in flight, is on the centre of the image. Mulitcoloured sparks fly off its wings as it takes flight and the letter S is hidden in its body shape. The words Réseau SPARC Network are beside, and slightly below, the owl on the right. SPARC is in block letters in red and Réseau and Network are written in grey. At the top, in gold, it reads Together Again: Rural & Remote Performing Arts. At the bottom, in grey, it reads October 13-16, 2022, Prince Edward County. The image has an uplifting feel to it.

TOGETHER AGAIN: RURAL AND REMOTE PERFORMING ARTS 

The Symposium Committee is hard at work planning for October. So many wonderful workshops were submitted that it was hard for our committee to choose which ones to feature this year.
We want to thank everyone who took the time to put together and submit workshops.
With all these fantastic workshops, we know that this year is a year not to be missed!

Speaking of not missing anything, it's time to book your rooms (Prince Edward County books up fast!). So with that in mind we want to announce our venue for Symposium....
<<drum room please>>
Symposium 2022 will take place at The Eddie in Bloomfield.
All the rooms at The Eddie are booked, but Georgia has compiled a great list of accommodation for you. Click here to view it!

Tickets for Symposium - We'll be opening registration in the next few weeks so stay tuned for that announcement!



If you'd like to share about yourself, your work, your community - please email Rachel (rachel@sparcperformingarts.com) so that we can feature you in Embers and on social media, or perhaps you'd like to write a blog or lead an Expert Chat.
Here's what you can expect to find below:
  • SPARC News
  • Blog Roundup
  • Youth Council news & events
  • Some upcoming online events and skill development opportunities (webinars, workshops, job opportunities, performances etc.)
  • Some upcoming funding deadlines (and a link to a larger list for you to peruse)
  • Member's Corner - full of info from members


Thank you for reading and for helping us build a stronger, more vibrant network together!
SPARCS of Hope
and
Rural & Remote Arts Visibility Campaign
films
Image Description: A poster with a black background. Colourful swirls and circles surround the equally colourful words - choose HOPE
We're wrapping up our Rural & Remote Arts Visibility Campaign and SPARCS of Hope. There are a few more projects in each program left to post and we are sure you will love them as much as we do! These programs have allowed us to support artists during the pandemic with microgrants, and to share with you their creative projects - music, storytelling, puppetry and more. Please watch and share the videos - celebrate these artists with us!

Here are the new SPARCS of Hope and RRAVCs that have been completed since our last newsletter:



Short Attention Spa - click here for video

Backroad Arts Collective - Wawa - click here for video

Backroad Arts Collective - Haliburton - click here for video

Youth Opportunities in the Arts - click here for video
The Rural and Remote Arts Visibility Campaign and SPARCS of Hope are made possible through the Support for Workers in Live Arts and Music Sector Fund
Image Description:The Canadian Heritage logo - on the left a Canadian flag. To the right of the flag, written in black are the words Canadian Heritage (stacked on top of each other) and Patrimoine canadien (also stacked )
A poster with a dark background, a microphone to the right and lights shining down on it. The poster gives the details of the Lights Up workshop series and at the bottom are the logos of the sponsors and hosts



Image description: an event poster. The poster looks like a stage with a black curtain at the back. There is a microphone on the right and lights shine down on it. It reads: Lights Up! The Performing Arts Return, Workshop Series
Dates: April 23 - How NOT to Put on a Show
May 14 - Wellness for the Arts
June 11 - Welcoming Everyone
June 26 - Movers & Shakers: Networking & Promotion
Tickets - $25/workshop or $80 for all 4 workshops
Below this is a regiatration link and then the 4 logos of the organizations involved in the event


Lights Up! The Performing Arts Return
Workshop Series

Join our friends at Minto Arts Council for this great new workshop series!

There are still two workshops left in this series and we have 2 tickets to give away! Simply send an email to rachel@sparcperformingarts.com by 5pm on June 3 with the subject line: Lights Up! and you'll be entered to win!

The cost of tickets includes the full day workshop, lunch and coffee/tea throughout the day!

For more info, and to register, please go to: https://lightsupworkshopseries2022.eventbrite.com

CPN PRESENTER EXCHANGE PROGRAM
A dark red sqaure with yellow text which reads "CPN" in a large font and "Community Presnters' Network" in a smaller font. At the bottom of the square, is a small cartoon village, silouetted in blue.
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: A dark red square with yellow text which reads "CPN" in a large font and "Community Presenters' Network" in a smaller font. At the bottom of the square, is a small cartoon village, silhouetted in blue.
The Presenter Exchange Program was initially proposed as an initiative to allow presenters working within smaller rural / remote communities to travel to and shadow venues functioning in similar environments, in order to facilitate a trading of knowledge and skills.

From the CPN’s Website: Are you looking to expand your financial skills, build your audience, or write up artist contracts? Have you always wondered what an 80/20 back-split is and how to do it? Connecting with presenters who work in communities like yours offers the opportunity to learn and share with people who know what you are going through. It also offers you the chance to share your skills. Perhaps you have knowledge working with touring shows, or in marketing to seasonal audiences, or in block booking a tour - there are presenters who want to learn from you.

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program had to be put on hold. However, The Community Presenters’ Network is pleased to announce our intent to re-launch the Presenter Exchange Program, in accordance with provincial health guidelines. While no firm plans have been put into place as of this time, we are looking to gauge interest in the program and begin conversations with presenters!

Member's Corner
A chance to highlight info, news and more from our members!

Living Temagami Arts & Culture is launching a new Northern Arts digital platform, www.northernartsconnection.ca and we are looking to connect with all art forms in Northern Ontario. We partner with artists, organizations, galleries and art collectives to promote our region as a collectively run arts hub. Showcasing a plethora of artists and their artworks in one place, viewers can learn about artists, organizations, receive contact information, buy creations in the e-commerce section, watch performances or book a gig in their town. The live performance area and event calendar for performers and bookings provides an established place to present digital and live shows. 

Our collective hub allows customers to easily find artists which improves discoverability as digital consumers enter an interconnected space. A digital hub provides digital access to those unfamiliar with the region while improving arts access for our most isolated communities. This digital hub shines a spotlight on all Northern arts and culture offerings. 

The new hub platform presents a space where artists gain greater representation, sale opportunities, marketing awareness and an identifiable arts community of peers to collaborate with. All participants will have a virtual presence at a fraction of the cost of holding their own website, bringing down their annual financial costs and marketing fees. This arts hub of northern groups, events and both live and digital programming highlights the region and inspires new tourists to visit the area. Providing a culturally welcoming platform helps introduce the population to new ideas, traditions, talents and community awareness. 

For more info please connect with Stephanie at artsadministrator@livingtemagami.ca

xxx

WeeFestival Conference | June 8, 9, 10 2022 Charting New Territory in Theatre for Young Audiences
WeeFestival is thrilled to offer artists, educators, cultural programmers, and students of theatre or early childhood studies opportunities to experience live theatre specially curated for an early years audience, to explore how local and international leaders in the field create and present new work, and to build new and lasting connections within this growing industry. In addition to the conference offerings listed below, we encourage you to attend other festival shows or special events.

Wednesday | June 8
Focus: Industry discussions on TYA/TEY new work, trends and creating inter-sector connections
12h00 | Lunch (Assembly Hall)
12h45 |Yassama and the Beaded Calabash | (Assembly Hall)
14h00 | Conference Session: Creating & Presenting for Very Young Audiences | (Factory Theatre) 15h00 | Conference Session: TEY Trends in Quebec/Canada/UK/US (Factory Theatre)
16h00 | Conference Session: Presentation of “Building Connections in the TYA Sector Project” followed by discussion (Factory Theatre)
17h00 | Reception (Factory Theatre)
Thursday | June 9
Focus: Theatrical and musical experiences for infants 0 -12 months
12h00 | Lunch | (Location TBA)
13h30 | I Am Baba | (Aki Studio)
14h30 | Conference Session: Workshop with Anna Newell
15:15 | Conference Session: Baby Steps- Approaches to Research Creation in Theatre for Babies - A Conversation with Anna Newell and Leora Morris (Aki Studios)
Friday | June 10
Focus: Sensory and experiential performances for audiences 0-24 months 10h00 | Pop! Pop! | (Factory Theatre)
 11h00 | Baby Sound Garden | (Factory Theatre) 15h00 |Tricoter (Dress Rehearsal) | (Factory Theatre) 16h00 | Social Time & Networking | (Factory Theatre)

Conference Rates:
IN PERSON: $25 per day (covers food & beverages) plus tickets @ $10 per show ZOOM: FREE (all Conference Sessions on June 8 & 9 are available via Zoom)

Additional Festival Tickets Not During Conference:
Limited tickets are available for the following weekday performances for a conference rate of $10 per show. Indicate your preference when registering for the conference.
Yassama and the Beaded Calabash | May 31 @ 10h, 13h & June 1, June 3 @ 10 h (Aki Studio) 
Mer Océane | May 31, June 1 @ 10h (Factory Theatre)
The Sandbox | June 3 @ 10h (Factory Theatre)
Wood (Bois) | June 7 @ 10h (Alliance Française)

Conference Assistance:
If you have any questions or concerns please contact joanne@weefestival.ca

xxx

ON-Ramp: New Horizons in Cultural Tourism 
Wednesday, June 8 to Thursday, June 9, 2022
Together, with the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund and Destination Northern Ontario, Ontario Culture Days will host our second annual symposium. ON-Ramp: New Horizons in Cultural Tourism is a two-day event investigating the state of reopening for the arts, culture and tourism sectors.
Taking place in-person in Toronto as well as online, the symposium will focus on arts and culture destinations in the context of regenerative tourism, diversity, and inclusion, and offer industry expert advice on reopening better.
BLOG ROUNDUP




  • September 13: Hippo Puppets & Joy! - the final piece by Guest Blogger Samantha Marchionda writing on behalf of Carousel Players
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Remember: SPARC always tries to share upcoming workshops, events, shows (live & digital) festivals, residency opportunities, etc. through our Facebook Page and Twitter account. If you use these platforms, be sure to connect with us!
What's Up(coming)?


June 1 & 2 - CAPACOA National Networking Meeting


June 8-10 - Charting New Territory in Theatre for Young Audiences - WeeFestival

June 11 - Lights Up! The Performing Arts Return - Welcoming Everyone

June 21-26 - NOGOJIWANONG Indigenous Fringe Festival - the world's FIRST Indigenous Fringe Festival!

June 26 - Lights Up! The Performing Arts Return - Movers & Shakers: Networking & Promotions


Webinars you can access at any time...




Image Description: a collection of Canadain bills in various denominations from $5-$50.
Where's the Funding?

Deadlines are being updated frequently, please keep checking the funding body's website for the most up-to-date information.


Ontario Arts Council:
For a look at all OAC grants and deadlines click here, below are some programs with upcoming deadlines:


August 3 - Theatre Projects


Ontario Trillium Foundation:
Find a full list of Ontario Trillium Foundation grants here.


Canada Council for the Arts:
Find a full list of Canada Council funding deadlines here. Below are some programs with upcoming deadlines and cut off dates:


Ongoing - Travel
June 15 - Long Term Projects


June 15 - Translation
Ongoing - Travel

Ongoing - Travel
June 15 - Translation
Ongoing - Residencies

(applications for the below are due any time before the start of your project)


Canada Arts Presentation Fund:
For a look at all CAPF grants and deadlines click here.
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SPARC would like to thank our funders for their continued support:

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