Building Arts Community in Markham! August 12, 13,

Jane Milrose, Chair Owner -- Expedia CruiseShipCenters Diane Hallquist, Vice Chair Seneca College Peter Still, Treasurer Peter Still, CGA Helen Argiro MAC Executive Director YRAC Board of Directors Kim Sommers Director of Finance – Petroff Partnership Architects Pat Howell Markham African Caribbean Association Muzna Siddiqi Marketing Manager, MAC liaison for MTAC Nazish Hussain Markham Lawyer, MAC Volunteer Coordinator Christine Jordon Markham Volunteer, Liaison for MCPG Meet our Board of Directors

1. Introductions 2. Short Survey 3. Discussion:  Sharing the Needs & Challenges  Suggesting Solutions & Opportunities  Proposing Next Steps 4. Closing

Markham Arts Council/MAC  Registered charity not-for-profit organization  Focus on Markham’s arts and cultural sector  Founded and in continuous operation since 2004 Mandate The Markham Arts Council serves the community and enriches the lives of its citizens by educating, developing and supporting a vibrant cultural community that champions the arts, while promoting the work of professional and emerging literary, visual and performing artists.

 International Festival of Authors/IFOA Markham, Touring Event: expansion is planned for future IFOA events in Markham on an annual basis  Markham at the Movies, Toronto International Film Festival’s Film Circuit: bringing TIFF films to Markham  Markham Teen Arts Council: fostering arts and culture while providing leadership opportunities for Markham youth  Markham Creative Photography Group: Founded in 2013, has over 650 members and growing  Visual Art Show(s): Members Fall Art Show Sept.17 th - 21 st at the McKay Art Centre  Holiday Artisan Show & Sale (2 nd Annual): local artisans display and sell their work in this curated show

ArtsExposed Conference Partnership with York Regional Arts Council - 4 th annual PechaKucha Partnership with Markham Public Libraries and the Varley Art Gallery - 3 times per year Found Words Poetry Day Partnership with the Varley Art Gallery York Slam Professional/emerging spoken word artists – 3 rd annual Markham Tales Partnership with Diaspora Dialogues Toronto MFA Writers Workshop Partnership with Humber College and IFOA Harbourfront – new programming for fall 2014

1.Building Arts Community Value  Incubation for community groups/committees  Outreach to members & arts community  Shared knowledge, facilities and resources  Group discounts (design, print, advertising)  Consultations + educational seminars & workshops: grant-writing, fundraising, Artist entrepreneurial skills  Networking & showcasing opportunities for artists  Joint fundraising event(s) to benefit arts organizations  Liaison to City of Markham on behalf of community-based arts & cultural organizations 2. Building Capital  Grants, event sponsorship, fundraising initiatives, etc. 3. Building Infrastructure 4. Launching LaVaLab – Tues. Aug. 12 noon! 5. Working with City of Markham – Strategic Planning

 LaVaLab is an online website/digital portal and Literary and Visual Arts Journal – NOW LIVE  It has been dubbed “...the Facebook for artists” by XI Digital Media  It will unify, showcase and promote the work of writers and artists throughout York Region and the world in one online location  LaVaLab will create a significant and sustainable revenue stream through annual membership fees, personal profile fees, advertising opportunities and competition entrance fees within 3 to 5 years  The Ontario Trillium Foundation has approved a 3 year grant totalling $185,000 for the construction and development of LaVaLab  LaVaLab is now in beta testing phase and is being closely watch by arts and culture organizations across Canada  Profits from this innovative revenue generating project will contribute to the future financial sustainability and operating costs of Markham Arts Council

Needs/Challenges Solutions/Opportun ities

Needs/Challenges Solutions/Opportun ities

 Arts in the Park  Artist Studio Tour  Luminato Festival of Arts & Creativity  Benefit Concert for the Arts  Arts Award Recognition Program  Markham Arts & Culture Centre YOU

 Arts in the Park (June 2014 pilot with the Unionville Festival)  Artist Studio Tour  Luminato (discussions underway for future programming)

 Benefit Concert for the Arts  2 or 3 night event featuring headline talent from various cultural communities in Markham  Presented as an annual event  Grow into Gala for the Arts event

 Awards for excellence presented to arts and culture organizations, and individual artists  Examples: Best new talent, Best volunteer, Best corporate sponsor, Best new artist, etc.  Gala evening to present awards

Would: Provide artists with multi- purpose workspace Provide artists with space to create, collaborate, workshop, rehearse, exhibit and/or perform their art/work from concept to completion

◦ Will have living space to facilitate cultural exchange artists or art students from around the world ◦ Will include a black box theatre with retractable seating ◦ Will be a hub of activity; a model of creativity and a home for exciting, innovative programming that showcases the expressive talents of a wide range of culturally diverse artists living and working in Markham along with artists from around the world ◦ Will grow into a School for the Arts