SAA Bulletin – September 2007

September 2007

In this issue?

• Capturing Our Value: Indicators and the Arts & SAA AGM
• Government Relations
• Advocacy Projects
• Benefits Programs
• Call for Input: Technology in the Arts International Conference
• SAA Board of Directors

CAPTURING OUR VALUE: INDICATORS AND THE ARTS & SAA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Saturday, Sept. 29, 9:00 am ? 5:00 pm

The Refinery, 609 Dufferin Ave, Saskatoon

Join us for the Saskatchewan Arts Alliance Annual General Meeting and workshop Capturing Our Value: Indicators and the Arts led by Nancy Duxbury, Project Director of the Centre of Expertise on Culture and Communities and an Adjunct Professor at Simon Fraser University. The workshop examines how the value of the arts might be expressed when some of its benefits are difficult, or even impossible, to measure. Capturing Our Value will give an overview of research on arts indicators being undertaken internationally, and will examine the measurability of the arts sector and how, or if, our goals share anything in common with government accountability frameworks.

The registration fee (including lunch) for members is $20.00 if post-marked before Sept. 21, $25.00 after Sept. 21 or at the door. For non-members the fee is $40.00. There is no charge for those attending the AGM business meeting. More information and registration forms can be found at www.saskartsalliance.ca or by contacting the SAA at 306-780-9820, by email at info@artsalliance.sk.ca.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

SAA has been busy meeting with politicians over the summer. SAA met with the Hon. Sandra Morin in July to press for an immediate $2 million in new and undirected funding to alleviate some of the current pressures being felt by Arts Board clients, and to encourage her and her colleagues to make all necessary provisions for the completion of Bill 68, the Status of the Artist Act at the fall sitting of the legislature. These points were reiterated in further correspondence along with the request to convene the Standing Committee on Human Resources now so that any questions about Bill 68 can be addressed in advance of the possible recall of the Legislature on October 24.

SAA received a letter from Brad Wall, Leader of the Official Opposition, acknowledging artists contribution to the “culture, economy and standard of living in Saskatchewan”, and expressing Sask. Party misgivings about Bill 68 as well as their willingness to work with the arts community if elected in the next provincial election. A copy of this letter was sent to SAA members in a previous email.

ADVOCACY PROJECTS

Steven Ross Smith is back once again to write compelling stories about the arts, this time focusing on patrons in the arts. These stories will be available to support our members’ own advocacy work.

Allen Lefebvre is conducting a research project documenting the self-sustaining and entrepreneurial nature of arts organizations. The project is to dispel the misconception that arts organizations are poorly run and overly reliant on government funding, a comment we often hear in our advocacy work. Case studies on a small cross-section of arts organizations will be written highlighting best practises and will include anecdotal accounts about the impact of under-funding.

If you have any questions or comments about either of these projects, please contact the office at 306-780-9820 or by email at info@artsalliance.sk.ca.

BENEFITS PROGRAMS

Saskatchewan Pension Plan has forwarded information that may be of interest to artists. The plan’s flexibility makes it easy for artists to have a pension plan, even though they may be self-employed or have multiple employers per year. Please feel free to distribute this information to your members. The information is posted on the SAA website at www.saskartsalliance.ca/?p=advocacy&id=142&PHPSESSID=68f911694ecc8f0ce970c73fe6c59cb7.

As well, we remind you to make sure that artists are aware of the new Saskatchewan Workers’ Health Benefits program that started July 1st. The program gives Saskatchewan’s low-income workers, either employed or self-employed, better access to prescription drugs, eye exams and chiropractic services. As the average earnings for artists in Saskatchewan is $15,341, some may qualify for benefits. Program details and eligibility criteria can be found at www.gov.sk.ca/adx/aspx/adxGetMedia.aspx?mediaId=175&PN=Shared.

CALL FOR INPUT: TECHNOLOGY IN THE ARTS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

The Centre for Cultural Management at the University of Waterloo is collaborating with the Center for Arts Management and Technology at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to host an international conference on Technology in the Arts in Waterloo, Ontario on May 8-10, 2008. They would like to take your views into account when determining the themes and directions for the conference and would appreciate it if people would take a few minutes to complete a survey on technological needs and interests by September 24. The survey is at www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=l9ZoLcCn2pQALnenNob1mQ_3d_3d. While the target audience for the conference is arts/cultural (including museums, other heritage, libraries etc.) managers and technology specialists, it will also be of interest to service organizations, consultants, educators and funders from both the private and public sectors.

SAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Skip Kutz, President

Kim Houghtaling, Vice-President

Jill Reid, Secretary

Cynthia Dyck, Treasurer

Alexandra Badzak

Bill Boyle

Don Kerr

Brenda Sherring

Amy Thibodeau