* French version to follow

Deaf and disability arts are very important sectors in the arts community. The Canada Council for the Arts is demonstrating its commitment through research, funding and a broad strategy.

Deaf and Disability Arts Strategy
The Council is developing a comprehensive strategy in consultation with the Deaf and disability arts community. An executive summary entitled Expanding the Arts: Deaf and Disability Arts, Access and Equality is now online.

Capacity Building Initiative
Canada Council’s Capacity Building Initiative delivered through the Equity Office is responsive to culturally diverse, Deaf and disability arts organizations and artists. They are:

    Multi-year Grants – Deadline: Nov. 30, 2011
    Project Grants – Deadline: Nov. 30, 2011
    Travel Grants – Deadline: anytime before departure

Signed, audio and captioned videos summarizing these programs are available.
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Plowing the Road: Enhancing Opportunities for Pluralism in Performing Arts in Ontario

Charles C. Smith Consulting

Launch Event: You are invited to attend the launch of this toolkit at a workshop on June 29th, 2011 to get an overview and provide your feedback

Background
Cultural Pluralism in the Arts Movement Ontario (formerly Cultural Pluralism in the Performing Arts Movement Ontario) is an Ontario-based
movement of artists, arts organizations, presenters, arts services organizations, community associations, and others who are committed to advancing cultural pluralism in the arts.

Since 2009, Cultural Pluralism in the Arts Movement Ontario (CPAMO) has partnered with Community Cultural Impresarios (CCI) to prioritize
the building of constructive working relationships between Ontario performing arts presenters  (CCI’s members), and Aboriginal and ethno- racial performers.

CPAMO has helped CCI and its members build their capacities, cultural competencies and understanding of pluralism in performing arts practices. Over the last 3 years, CCI’s members have learned about the diverse cultural values, histories and practices of Aboriginal and ethno-racial performing artists. They were provided with practical guidance on successfully integrating culturally diverse values and principles in their operations, planning, audience development, marketing, programming and decision-making processes.

The Toolkit
To capture these experiences and others, CPAMO is developing a toolkit for presenters and artists to refer to as they move forward with implementing the knowledge, values and new approaches they have learned to embrace cultural pluralism in the arts.This toolkit will address issues related to the following areas:

1) Employment and Professional Development, e.g., staff recruitment, training and promotional opportunities for individuals of diverse backgrounds;

2) Programming and Curatorial Decision-making, e.g., assessing productions from diverse communities as well as the collaboration with, and between these communities in programming development and promotion;

3) Community Engagement, e.g., making connections and building constructive relationship with organizations and community groups from Aboriginal and ethno-racial communities;

4) Audience Development, e.g., marketing and outreach in diverse communities, and various means of effective communications; and

5) Governance, e.g., the development and involvement of governance diverse communities in organizational decision-making, as well as the cultural pluralist awareness and practices of people in governing positions.