January eNews

IN THIS ISSUE
Pacific Contact 2009– Early Bird Discount until February 16th
Professional Development Intensive
In-Conference Workshops, Meetings & Networking
Hilton Hotel at Metrotown - Official Hotel & Conference Centre
Advertising & Sponsorship
Arts On Tour Directory - Launched !
Membership Renewal
Job Postings
Member News
Industry News

Pacific Contact, March 27-29, 2009 – Registration Now Online – Early Bird Discount until February 16th - Register before February 16th and receive a 20% discount off regular conference registration. In addition there will be an Early Bird draw for one free night accommodation at the conference hotel. Online registration, showcase line-up, schedules and other conference information is now available at http://www.bctouring.org/pacific-contact/index.html

Professional Development Intensive – Thursday, March 26th
Leading & Managing In Turbulent Times - Facilitated by Jerry Yoshitomi, colleagues will participate face-to-face in an intense and high-level conversation about serious global and local issues facing arts senior leadership in today's uncertain times. In times of uncertainty leaders tend to communicate less often when their organizations are in crisis at a time when they need to communicate more frequently and with clarity about their strategic navigation.  This Professional Development colloquium will be conducted over two online/conference calls in January and February 2009 plus an in person meeting on Thursday, March 26, just preceding Pacific Contact. http://www.bctouring.org/pacific-contact/2009/turbulent_times.html

Cultural Tour Of Vancouver - Get On The Bus, Gus! And join colleagues and special guests on a tour to some of Vancouver ’s best loved venues. Have a little lunch, enjoy the sights and sounds of Gastown, Stanley Park , the UBC Campus and endowment lands. Have a specialty coffee or sip a little vino. Hey, what a day!
Full details are in the works but it will be guaranteed to be both educational and enjoyable. Apply early as space will be limited.
http://www.bctouring.org/pacific-contact/2009/cultural_tour.html

In-Conference Workshops, Meetings & Networking – Whether it’s meeting with others from your region, sharing your success stories, gathering information and knowledge in Real Time Conversations or staying up way too late having fun in the hospitality suite, there’s hardly a dull moment at Pacific Contact. Check into the Schedule At A Glance for regular updates at http://www.bctouring.org/pacific-contact/2009/pre_schedule.html

Real-Time – Conversations Saturday March 28th, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
In 2008 BCTC introduced a shorter more intensive conference. As part of that we experimented with a new format for delivery of workshops/professional development and networking in a session called Real-Time Conversations – 20 simultaneous conversations over 1.5 hours repeated in short ½ hour increments. As we continue to innovate and improve on this idea it’s important for conference participants to tell us what they want to talk about. We need your wisdom and advice. We need to know what you want to hear and/or talk about and ask that you take a few minutes to answer our survey at the following link: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228NQLNLQB9. We hope to have your responses by the end of the day January 30, 2009, so that we can begin our work to design these sessions to meet your needs.

Hilton Vancouver (Metrotown) Conference Hotel:
The Vancouver (Metrotown) Hilton is the location for all conference activities except showcases. If you plan to stay at the conference hotel you need to call and book your reservation as soon as possible. A block of rooms have been reserved for March 24, 2009 - March 31, 2009. The special room rate will be available until February 22nd or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first. Guests wishing to arrive early and/or leave late and take advantage of our good hotel rates for an extra stay may do so. For full details including online booking go to: http://www.bctouring.org/pacific-contact/2009/hotel.html

Advertising and Sponsorship opportunities are a great way to increase exposure for you or your organization. It also shows your strong support for the BC Touring Council, our programs and services and helps offset the cost of many aspects of Pacific Contact. Information for both can be found online at:
http://www.bctouring.org/pacific-contact/2009/sponsorship.html
http://www.bctouring.org/pacific-contact/2009/advertising.html

2009 ARTS ON TOUR DIRECTORY - is launched! www.artsontour.com
See the amazing variety of Artists and Agents from across North America who are interested in touring in B.C., Alberta and the Pacific North West.
NEW - BCTC will launch a weekly E-Blast feature artist from the ArtsOnTour directory! Stay tuned.

BCTC MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL for 2009 - For those who have renewed membership or if you are a new member, welcome! If you are planning on registering for Pacific Contact or ArtsOnTour you may also renew your membership at that time. For those of you who have allowed your membership to lapse, please consider the benefits and support the BC Touring Council . For full information please visit
http://www.bctouring.org/membership/.

JOB POSTINGS - As a service to BCTC members you can list your job postings on our site. Check out new listings at http://www.bctouring.org/job-opportunities/

BCTC MEMBER NEWS

Congratulations!
The Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Arts Council Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Lindy Sisson as The Arts Council’s new Executive Director. Lindy Sisson brings to the Arts Council over 25 years experience in the arts most recently as Executive and Artistic Director for the Vancouver International Children’s Festival, responsible for the managerial, financial and artistic development and production of the 32 year old event. In this position and as the Director of the Edmonton International Children’s Festival from 1989 – 1991 she has built a reputation for excellence in presenting culturally diverse and artistically challenging work for young audiences.

Janna Crown is the new General Manager, musica intima. www.musicaintima.org

Howe Sound Performing Arts Society who won the draw for a free registration to Pacific Contact.

Northern Arts and Culture Centre, NWT - The Canadian Arts Presenting Association (CAPACOA) named NACC the presenter of the year during their annual conference in Ottawa on Nov. 9, 2008. The distinction recognizes the centre's success touring performers throughout the North, quality programming and commitment to community outreach. That work includes helping to develop Northern performers through workshops and mentoring, introducing students of all ages to the arts, organizing performance series and for presenting high-quality local, national and international talent to Northern audiences. http://www.naccnt.ca/

Blues artist John Lee Sanders won the free ad in the Pacific Contact guide for ArtsOnTour. See John Lee Sanders showcase at Pacific Contact in March. http://www.artsontour.com/artist_detail.php?Genre_id=4&listing_id=305

Ben Heppner named as Companion of the Order of Canada - Ben Heppner, the British Columbia operatic superstar, was one of four Canadians named as a companion of the Order of Canada. Heppner, 52, was raised in Dawson Creek, studied at UBC, and sang briefly with the Vancouver Chamber Choir. A modest man known for his sense of humour and ability to take himself lightly, he has never forgotten his roots and reappears to sing in Vancouver and small communities throughout BC and other parts of Canada fairly frequently, as he did last fall for the 100th anniversary of UBC. Ben Heppner was named Touring Artist of the Year by BCTC in 2007.

Talking Stick Festival 2009 - February 9th - 15th, 2009 - A celebration of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal performance and art. This year's Talking Stick Festival will unite a diverse and talented community of local, national and international Aboriginal artists and feature a fusion of music, dance, theatre, multimedia, performance art, visual art and storytelling. The vibrant city-wide event takes place at a range of venues, including the Kay Meek Centre, the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, the Ironworks Studio, the Aboriginal Friendship Centre, the First Nations House of Learning and the Wise Hall. http://www.fullcircleperformance.ca

Condolences
On behalf of the BCTC Board, staff and members we send our condolences to the Kirby family and everyone at Live Tour Artists (LTA) on the passing of Doug Kirby.
Always the driving force of LiveTour Artists, Doug conceived and created the company in 2000 with former partner Darcy Gregoire.  Doug's impact on the Canadian music industry since the 1960's radiated across the country involving thousands of artists, managers, and music industry people at all levels.

"Fifteen years ago, Doug Kirby signed me to book my first cross Canadian tour," said blues sensation, Rita Chiarelli.  "I remember saying to Doug - "yes, I would love for you to book me - do whatever you have to, but don't lie to me" - he called me very early one Saturday morning - 1 am early, and said, "I'm having a horrible time booking you - how's that for telling the truth?"  I still laugh when I recall that conversation," said Chiarelli.  "But he did book me, and everywhere I performed the venue owners told me, they took a chance on me because of their relationship with Doug Kirby.  I'll never forget that -- or him -- and to perform for him one last time is my thank you to Doug for everything that he did."
An evening of song and story will occur on Monday, January 12th, in Toronto's famed Hugh's Room when the Canadian Music Industry will come together to remember and celebrate the life of Doug Kirby, CEO of Live Tour Artists, Inc. who passed on December 25th, 2008 after a prolonged illness.
For more information see the following link: http://www.livetourartists.com/

INDUSTRY NEWS

New Executive Director at the Alliance for Arts and Culture - Vancouver
Minna Schendlinger, President, and the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Arts and Culture, are delighted to announce the appointment of Amir Ali Alibhai to succeed Andrew Wilhelm-Boyles as Executive Director. Amir is well known in the arts throughout the Lower Mainland and across the province and the country through his work as artist, curator, educator, volunteer and passionate contributor to the Arts for the past twenty years. www.allianceforarts.com

On The Move – A free dance conference for graduating dance students and emerging dance professionals. http://www.dtrc.ca/movetransit/

Linda Tanaka Appointed Vancouver Folk Music Festival’s new Artistic Director - The VFMF board is pleased to announce that Linda Tanaka has been appointed the Festival’s new Artistic Director. Linda has served as interim AD since last February and programmed and help direct the 31st annual Festival in July. “I’m thrilled to be taking on this role”, said Tanaka. “Vancouver is one of Canada’s foremost music festival events. It has inspired audiences and performers for years.” http://thefestival.bc.ca/

Government expenditures on culture / Museums and art galleries / Performing arts organizations - Five recent reports examine data on Canada’s cultural sector, including government spending on culture, the financial situation of museums and art galleries, as well as the financial health of performing arts organizations. In addition to a summary of the published reports, new data analysis by Hill Strategies Research is included in this issue of the Arts Research Monitor.  http://www.HillStrategies.com
http://www.ArtsResearchMonitor.com

Youth Internship Program In The Cultural Sector - The Cultural Human Resources Council, through its Youth Internship Program, is seeking proposals from cultural institutions and organizations willing to offer dynamic opportunities in the areas of Art Practice and Art Administration to recent post-secondary graduates ages 30 and under. If you have a 4-12 month position in mind and are looking for a positive addition to your team. Deadline for submission is
February 1st, 2009. Application form: www.youngcanadaworks.ca. and additional information, go to www.culturalhrc.ca or contact Geneviève Chassé at gchasse@culturalhrc.ca or at 613-562-1535 ext. 31

Joanna Maratta, Executive Director
BC Touring Council
PO Box 547
Nelson, BC V1L 5R3
T. 250-352-0021 F. 250-352-0027
www.bctouring.org
Pacific Contact 2009 - March 27-29