Connect

 

In 2013, SAC Arts Junction Subcommittee received a grant from Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporation to do a study for its artists’ co-op project for Wembley Public School. When the Rainbow Board puts the school up for sale in a year or two, SAC wants to be ready with a viable proposal so that this landmark building does not get sold off to a developer for condos before artists have a chance to make a viable proposal for reuse. We have received support from influential individuals and groups for this project. (More CHMA funding in 2014 available pending successful completion of Phase 1.)

 

Visual artists want to be seen. SAC has a subcommittee working to find proper places for exhibitions.

Artists’ work should be appreciated and not just used to decorate restaurant walls where the lighting is poor. We are currently having conversations with a downtown main street property owner sympathetic to the arts regarding an “arts centre,” with office, theatre, and exhibition space.

 

During 2013/2014 SAC hosted monthly Arts After Five events at various locations where local musicians had a chance to introduce their talents to a new audience. In most cases these artists were paid for their time in our effort to support our talented resources. Events included an evening of poetry at the MacKenzie Library in February to celebrate 200^th birthday of Ukrainian poet Taras Shevencko. Average attendance was 50 people.

 

There was a good turnout of about 40 people at the September Annual General meeting where six new board members were elected by the paid membership. This is the first time in many years that the board was not acclaimed. The board has 12 members and can expand to 15.

 

SAC attends the city’s monthly Arts and Culture strategy meetings. We also send representation to Creative Consortium meetings.

 

The SAC board held a vision meeting in November to update its mission and values. This helped the executive plan strategy for the 2014/2015 year.

 

SAC had a representative on the Poet Laureate selection committee, winter 2014.

 

Communicate

 

SAC emails a monthly bulletin of news and events to more than 500 subscribers.

We improved and continue to improve our social media presence with more than 600 FACEBOOK friends.

The website was redesigned, updated and launched in February 2014.

We send out regular press releases to the media regarding our activities.

We also maintain a Wordstock Sudbury FACEBOOK page and website.

 

Celebrate

Sudbury Arts Council is taking the leadership role in establishing the Mayor’s Celebration for the Arts May 1, 2014.

 

SAC subcommittee organized and hosted a successful literary festival in June 2013 at the Sudbury Theatre Centre. Many Sudbury and area English and French writers were featured. All writers were paid an honorarium. Cabaret featured Sudbury’s Patricia Cano and Tomson Highway, A second event is planned for 2015.

 

SAC hosted a Culture Days event with musical performances at Theatre Cambrian in September 2013.

 

SAC organizes regular art exhibitions of Sudbury artists work at the South End Library. These exhibits usually change every two months.

 

SAC board members attended and supported numerous arts events at SSO, AGS, Theatre Cambrian and STC in the past 12 months.

 

We advertised in the NLFB and SSO programs to support these organizations and we sponsored one piece of art at the AGS’s annual December exhibition.