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Dance Sector Commends Government for Protecting Cultural Investment Ottawa, Friday, March 5th, 2010 – Yesterday in the House of Commons, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivered the much anticipated federal budget. As expected, Budget 2010: Leading the Way on Jobs and Growth stays the course and focuses on job creation and increasing prosperity. The Canadian Dance Assembly (CDA) is encouraged by the budget’s acknowledgement of the important role that arts and culture plays in the social and economic health of the country. Jim Smith, President of the CDA notes: “We are pleased that investment will be sustained and that the Government will continue to deliver on stimulus measures identified in the Economic Action Plan”. In particular, CDA commends the Government for wisely protecting investment to the Canada Council for the Arts, and looks forward with interest to the unveiling of the Canada Prizes with hopes that this initiative will focus on celebrating the exceptional talent of our Canadian artists. As Canada embarks on a path of economic recovery, the arts sector is poised to play a key role in the revitalization of Canadian communities as an efficient engine of job creation across a number of sectors including industry, hospitality and transportation, that benefit from increased cultural activity. There is a growing consensus among leaders in all economic sectors that arts investment is a cost effective catalyst for high economic returns and encourage the Government lever this tremendous opportunity through new and increased investment in the arts going forward. The Canadian Dance Assembly is the voice of dance in Canada, representing over 450 dance artists and organizations from across the country. CDA is a founding member of the Performing Arts Alliance and works in tandem with other representative bodies in the cultural and notforprofit sector including the Canadian Arts Coalition, the Canadian Arts Summit and others. For more information contact:
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November 30, 2009 Dear CDA members, friends and colleagues, November 30th marks my last day as CDA’s Executive Director. My five years with the organization have been an incredible time in my career and so my departure from this role is inevitably an important milestone. I have learned so much and feel proud of what we’ve accomplished together in the short time CDA has been in existence. The organization is a strong, unified voice for dance with a diverse and representative membership. It is a visible and credible ambassador for the dance community and has emerged as an arts advocacy leader in the broader arts and culture sector. It is my hope that moving forward CDA will continue to build on this momentum and strengthen its role as an advocacy leader, supported by an informed, engaged and politically active membership. I cannot stress enough how critical it is for each of us to make advocacy an essential part of our working lives. We have already made great strides in asserting our presence on public and political agendas, and I believe our future success lies in our commitment to ourselves, to each other and to the value and importance of our work. As the end of 2009 approaches, I hope you will consider making a financial contribution to the Canadian Dance Assembly, ensuring that we can continue to lead effective, coordinated advocacy efforts and deliver valued programming and services. A charitable tax receipt will be issued for your contribution. Donate by clicking on the following link: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s92936 As I conclude my role as CDA’s Executive Director, my challenge to you the members, supporters and friends of the CDA to renew your commitment to the dance community by contributing actively and often to the better future we all aspire to enjoy. With warm wishes, N.B. Please note that going forward, CDA correspondence can be directed to either Aviva Fleising, Programs and Services Manager aviva@dancecanada.net or Michael Freethy, Membership and Communications Intern michael@dancecanada.net. My email address shannon@dancecanada.net will remain active as I will continue to manage CDA’s advocacy files in the short term. Advocacy-related inquiries can continue to be directed to me going forward. ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
JOB POSTING The Canadian Dance Assembly is seeking a full time Executive Director. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is charged with leading the Canadian Dance Assembly into the next phase of its journey, with its mission, vision and community values as a guide. The scope of responsibility will include oversight of external and community relations, membership services, revenue generation, long range planning and the overall internal operational, financial and administrative responsibility for the organization. The Executive Director will maintain an institutional culture that balances the diversity and richness of the Canadian dance milieu with the efficacy of best business practices, fiscal accountability and institutional impact. Term: Full time The Canadian Dance Assembly (CDA) is the national service organization representing the professional dance sector in Canada. Together with its membership of over 360 dance professionals and organizations, CDA advocates for a healthy, sustainable environment in which professional dance practice can grow and thrive. CDA is a reputable source of information on the current state of dance in Canada and provides representation to policy- makers and the public. CDA enables its national membership of dance professionals and organizations to connect with their peers through regular communication, conferences, forums and workshops, and facilitates opportunities for networking, dialogue and exchange on topics relevant to the Canadian dance sector. Job Description: Advocacy and Organizational Advancement Operational and Strategic Planning and Management Finance Governance Traits and Characteristics
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter by 31 December 2009 to: Search Committee Submissions accepted via post, fax or email (in Word or PDF format only). No phone calls please. To download this document in pdf format, please click here. ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
The Canadian Dance Assembly, The Dance Umbrella of Ontario and The Dance Current are collaborating on preliminary research to build greater public engagement in Canadian dance via a dynamic online portal or gateway (a web site of sorts). The portal will gather, organize and frame existing online material about the Canadian dance scene and guide users to the kinds of information and resources that they seek. The idea is to create and promote a high-profile entry point into Canadian dance for members of the general public, and to provide simple and direct access to the diversity of art and activity in our dance scene. We really want this to work for you. Please take a moment to give us your feedback - it will only take 5 minutes. Plus, all survey participants will be entered to WIN A FULL YEAR SUBSCRIPTION (OR EXTENSION) TO THE DANCE CURRENT!
NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF MEMBERS Please take note that the Annual General Meeting for Members of the Canadian Dance Assembly will take place on Friday, September 25, 2009, commencing at 4:00pm, at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, 80 Winchester Street - Studio D, Toronto, Ontario. AGM business will include:
If unable to attend the meeting, a Member has the right to assign his/her/its vote to another Member in good standing. A proxy form is included for this purpose. Non-Members are welcome to attend the meeting as observers. However, they may not participate in the proceedings. Although advance notice of your participation is not required, your RSVP will ensure that we are able to provide sufficient copies of the documents and an appropriate venue for the expected attendance. Please RSVP the CDA office at: shannon@dancecanada.net ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** August 10, 2009 Toronto, ON - Shannon Litzenberger, Executive Director of the Canadian Dance Assembly (CDA) will be resigning from her position as of November 30, 2009. Shannon began working with the CDA in 2004, and since that time has shepherded the organization to the forefront of arts advocacy leadership in Canada. "During her tenure at the CDA, Shannon has contributed much to the development of the Assembly and we, her peers and colleagues, recognize and appreciate her hard work and dedication." says CDA Board President Jim Smith. In her role as the CDA's Executive Director, Shannon has contributed to shaping sector-wide policy positions on behalf of the arts and culture community. She has been called on frequently by a variety of different organizations and government agencies to provide consultation and to participate in committees and working groups in the areas of dance and cultural policy. Representing the professional dance sector, Shannon was a founding member of Canada's Performing Arts Alliance (an alliance of the Canadian Dance Assembly, Orchestras Canada, Opera.ca and the Professional Association of Canadian Theatre). She was also a member of the Canadian Arts Coalition Steering Committee - Canada's largest ever group of artists, business leaders and volunteers assembled from across the country. Shannon is leaving the CDA to pursue artistic activities. The community wishes her well in her endeavours and expects to see much of Shannon in the future, both in the context of the CDA and as part of Canada's professional dance community. The National Council of the CDA will be striking a search committee within the month to lead the process of identifying a new Executive Director. ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
News Update June 2009 CDA is headed accross the country, look out for us in your province! Dancing Through Cultures - Ottawa June 25-27, 2009 Festival of New Dance - St. John’s July 22-26, 2009 Canadian Dance Assembly AGM - Toronto September 25, 2009 Dance in Vancouver - Vancouver October 14-18, 2009 CAPACOA conference - Calgary November 6-9, 2009 For further details or inquiries contact aviva@dancecanada.net 416-515-8445
April 8, 2009 Dance your way into Spring with International Dance Day April 29, 2009! The Canadian Dance Assembly welcomes all to come out and celebrate. Toronto, ON – The Canadian Dance Assembly (CDA) invites all Canadians to move and be moved in celebration of International Dance Day, April 29. On this day, CDA members will host an array of performances, workshops and activities across the country to promote Canadian dance and engage in community spirit. The Canadian Dance Assembly is a national organization representing the interests of over 350 dance professionals and organizations from across Canada and recognizes the UNESCO International Dance Day annually. Initiated in 1982 by the International Dance Committee of the UNESCO International Theatre Institute (http://iti.unesco.org), International Dance Day falls on April 29 of every year, commemorating the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre, a distinguished choreographer that brought about significant reforms in ballet production. Every year, an international message authored by a well-known dance personality is circulated around the world as part of International Dance Day celebrations. Additionally, since 2005, the Canadian Dance Assembly has issued a Canadian message in conjunction with the UNESCO message. This year the Canadian Dance Assembly invited Nico Archambault, dancer extraordinaire and winner of the inaugural season of So You Think You Can Dance Canada, to author a message to all Canadians. Together with his longtime dance partner and girlfriend, Wynn Holmes, they expressed a compelling message that reflects the inner-dancer in all of us:
The International Dance Day Message, commissioned by ITI – UNESCO, has been written this year by Akram Khan. Khan has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades and is a highly acclaimed choreographer living and working in Britain today. His message is as follows:
In order to commemorate International Dance Day 2009, members of the Canadian Dance Assembly have assembled an eclectic lineup of dance activity throughout the country. The following provides an overview of some of the highlighted activities. British Columbia In Victoria, Dance Victoria will present Hubbard Street Dance Chicago April 29 and 30 at 8pm at the Royal Theatre. For ticket information visit www.dancevictoria.com Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Ontario Members of Dance Ontario will be performing around the province, including TILT sound + motion Slept Away at the Sheridan Auditorium in Sudbury Apr. 28-29, Wen Wei Dance at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa April 30-May 2 and Jenn Goodwin and Susie Burpee at the Enwave Theatre in Toronto April 30-May 2. As well, Dance Ontario’s Youth Board (DYOB) has organized a unique performance that will take place in two different locations at Toronto Pearson’s International Airport, Terminal 1 on April 29. www.danceontario.ca Quebec April 18 and 19 the public is invited to Musée national des beaux-arts de Québec for Les Traces Choréographiques, an initiative of the RQD. This is a fun and unique interactive installation resembling a game of choreographed hop scotch. On April 26, a series of free presentations and workshops will be held in locations such as Musée de la civilisation and Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec. As well, there will be a special video and dance improv presentation held at the bar Le Cercle. All activities are free and are an initiative of the Conseil de la culture des régions de Québec et de Chaudière-Appalaches. For more information visit www.culture-quebec.qc.ca/jidanse Nova Scotia Susanne Chui will spear head a city-wide project in Halifax where she teaches her movement piece The Longest Now, to dancers throughout the greater Halifax area. This choreography is of overlapping movement scenes performed by a group of dancers with music composed and performed by Rafael Franco. Susanne will summon her dancers to join her in a location to be announced on the afternoon of April 29. For those who want to participate, or observe further information is available at www.dancens.ca or contact Susanne Chui (902) 422-1749. The Canadian Dance Assembly is a proud supporter of destination dance~danse, Canada’s first online stop for Canada – wide dance listings. For more detailed listings on International Dance Day activities and performances throughout the country visit www.destinationdancedanse.com. This calendar is provided and maintained by Dance Media Group/Groupe Danse Média, publishers of The Dance Current magazine. Media Contact: Aviva Fleising, Programs & Services Manager
February 3, 2009 Government recognizes arts as key industry in federal budget The Conservative government announced $276 million in new investments over two years for arts and culture January 27 in their 2009 Economic Action Plan. Identified as a ‘key sector’ along with forestry, agriculture, the auto sector and others, arts and culture was recognized as playing a significant role in stimulating the economy. A likely reflection of the Conservatives’ new cultural cheerleader, Heritage Minister James Moore, investments for arts and culture were substantive. Since his appointment, Moore has been working hard to repair tenuous relationships with the arts community. He spent the better part of January consulting widely with arts and culture organizations across the country, taking stock of where policies and investments could be most effective. Budget highlights include $100 million to Arts Presentation Canada for marquee festivals, $60M to Cultural Spaces and $14M in new investment to the National Arts Training Contribution Program (NATCP), each over two years, with continued funding committed to NATCP going forward. The Canadian Dance Assembly (CDA) and other representative associations in the cultural sector called on the government to include the arts in a stimulus package and to focus investments in key centers of activity including support for the creation, production and dissemination of art (through the Canada Council for the Arts), arts training, public access, cultural infrastructure development, and organizational sustainability. “We are delighted by the proposed increase to the National Arts Training Contribution Program, as our training institutions serve a central role in developing the next generation of Canadian artists and art forms. The program's funding had not been increased in many years,” reacts Jeff Melanson, Executive Director of the National Ballet School and member of the CDA Advocacy Committee. Notably absent in the budget was any mention of new investment in the Canada Council for the Arts or for foreign market development and the promotion of Canadian artists abroad. “What is important to consider here is that this economic stimulus package offers temporary stimulus measures. Investment in the Canada Council and cultural diplomacy are not temporary needs. We are interested in working with this government to establish greater permanent investment in these, and other key centres of activity that will sustain the arts sector over the long term” says CDA Executive Director Shannon Litzenberger. The Canadian Dance Assembly is the voice of dance in Canada, representing over 300 dance professionals and organizations from across the country. CDA is a member of the Performing Arts Alliance, the Canadian Arts Coalition and the Canadian Conference for the Arts. Media Contact: ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** April 25, 2008 CDA Conference Announcement and Registration ADVANCING DANCE IN CANADA: JUNE 6-8, 2008 INSPIRE YOUR INNER ARTS ACTIVIST! From June 6-8, dance professionals from across the country will convene in Ottawa for the Canadian Dance Assembly's Annual General Meeting, member Standing Council meetings and national conference, Advancing Dance in Canada: Reality, Vision, Strategy and Action. You won't want to miss this opportunity for networking and dialogue with dance colleagues old and new. Highlights include provocative discussions around cultivating artistic excellence, living with popular culture, engaging audiences using new technologies, improving working conditions for dance artists and asserting leadership as cultural citizens. Learn about current models of collective standards in dance and participate in a workshop on developing relationships with politicians hosted by the CDA Advocacy Committee. Share your personal vision for dance in Canada. Design strategies and take action to raise the profile of professional Canadian dance. REGISTER TODAY! Advance registration closes May 30th, 2008. In-person registration available throughout conference dates.
The Canadian Dance Assembly hosts its 4th annual conference Advancing Dance in Canada: Reality, Vision, Strategy and Action June 6-8, 2008 at the National Arts Centre by Shannon Litzenberger Art is at the core. It is a source of inspiration, a cause that we believe in, and the reason we carry on despite resistance. In Canada, a career in dance – artistic or otherwise – means both a joy and a sacrifice, a privilege and a struggle. We work inside a delicate ecology that has many interdependent moving parts. Those that participate in this ecosystem - artists, educators, presenters, writers, consultants, agents and administrators - know that it is becoming increasingly fragile, though we carry on because we imagine a more positive future for dance. But when we talk about a better future, what do we mean? Do we share a common understanding of this ideal? Do our individual actions currently contribute to advancing a shared vision? How can we work together to advance dance in Canada? To advance dance in Canada, we must acknowledge our current realities with honesty. What are the important truths about our art? Are we creators and presenters of quality work that connects to publics in meaningful ways? What are the truths about the systems and layers of infrastructure that support our art? How does what we do connect to a larger context that takes into consideration the many influences that affect public perception of dance? Are there uncomfortable truths that we’re ignoring? To advance dance in Canada, we must discover a shared ideal. What are we fighting for? What is our vision for the future? Who participates in this vision and what do we have in common? How are we individually and collectively contributing to this vision? As an art form, are we progressing or regressing? Do we need to change our behavior? Do we need to change our perspective? To advance dance in Canada, we must explore ideas and strategies. Who is exploring innovative practices? How are we generating new initiatives and creative solutions that help move us closer to a stronger dance milieu? What have we done? Is it making a difference? What else could or should we be doing? To advance dance in Canada, we must take action. Who should advocate for dance? What is a dance advocate? Besides increased funding, what should we be advocating for? In a competitive culture, how do we ensure our individual needs are met and still contribute to a collective movement to advance the field of dance? Do these needs compete or align? What can we do individually? What can we do together to affect change? Engage your inner arts activist! Participate and become part of the solution! Join your colleagues from across the country for a spirited discussion on this topic and more, at the 2008 Canadian Dance Assembly Conference, Advancing Dance in Canada: Reality, Vision, Strategy and Action, June 6-8 at the National Arts Centre, in conjunction with the Canada Dance Festival. From time to time, the CDA hosts community meetings in different regions of Canada in order to share important information about the national role we are playing in advocacy activities and to gain regional perspectives on pressing issues facing the dance community. We encourage dance colleagues like you to attend in order to find out more about the advocacy work that is already underway in support of dance in Canada, and to talk about how we can work together to better represent the dance milieu across the country. Regional Meetings Wednesday, February 7, 2007 [click for
meeting report] Friday, January 26, 2007 [click for
meeting report] Friday, February 17, 2006 [click for
meeting report] Tuesday, February 21, 2006 [click for
meeting report] Wednesday, February 22, 2006 [click for
meeting report] Thursday, February 23, 2006 [click for
meeting report] Friday, February 24 , 2006 * [click for
meeting report]
The CDA’s Board of Directors is most pleased to present our new logo, designed by Priya Thomas, a young professional artist and past CDA employee. The adoption of a newly developed logo reflects the vital changes and advances made by the CDA, internally as an organization, and externally as the national advocacy voice for dance.
We encourage you to
display this logo on your communications as a proud member of the
Canadian Dance Assembly. Please download it by clicking on the
thumbnail and saving the large image. ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** December 28, 2005 CDA Online forum - New Features
Dear CDA members, Make it your New Year's resolution to log onto the CDA member discussion forums! Interesting topics such as 'Alternative Spaces' (Presenters forum), and 'International Dance Day' (Service and Support forum) and 'Dance and Parenthood' (Independent Artist forum) have fueled dialogue that is awaiting your input. These e-converstations help to drive CDA's advocacy agenda and contribute to the development of our programming for conferences and Standing Council networking meetings. We've recently added two helpful features to the forums.
If you haven't already registered - make it your New Year's resolution to check it out! Access the Online Forums: Then, click on 'sign up for an account', and enter the members-only access password which is available by phone from our office. (We ask that you not distribute this password to non-CDA members). After entering the access password, you will then be able to sign up for an account. This account is merely an access point. You will be asked for your name, email and your own personal password – which you will create at this point. You will not be asked for any additional information and your email address will function as your login id only. It will not be made public or be used to send you email. Once your account is created, you will no longer need to enter the general access password each time you login, however you will need to remember your login id, and personal password for re-entry at each use. Once you have created an account, you will be able to login, access all of the forums and be able to view postings and create your own postings. After you login, click on the forum that you are interested in and you will be directed to a topic list. Click on the topic and you will be taken to the discussion where you can read and make postings. If you require assistance, please feel free to contact the office at 416-515-8444 or via email at info@dancecanada.net
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