Symposium Workshop Presenter Bios & Workshop Descriptions
We know you’re getting ready to choose your Symposium schedule and thought we’d help. You’ve got the schedule, now get to know your Symposium workshop facilitators and a little more about each workshop.
Frédéric Julien - CAPACOA
Image description: Frédéric is outside. He looks directly at the camera and smiles broadly. He wears a blue shirt and only his head and shoulders are in the frame of the photo.
Frédéric Julien (he/him) has been leading research and development activities at the Canadian Association for the Performing Arts since 2010. In this capacity, he has directed or authored several key research initiatives such as The Value of Presenting, Vital Signs: Arts and Belonging, Digitizing the Performing Arts, as well as many analyses of Statistics Canada data series. Frédéric also leads the Linked Digital Future initiative, which seeks to enhance the discoverability of the performing arts.
Workshop - DESCRIBING RURALITY IN WIKIDATA AND IN WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
In the era of algorithmic recommendation, descriptive metadata drives what music, books and movies are discovered and consumed. Performing arts productions and performances follow the same logic. As our sector begins to build back, providing this information is key in helping audiences – local arts-goers and travelers alike – make informed decisions about their entertainment and destination choices.
So, how does one make such descriptive metadata available?
In this workshop, you will learn how to input essential information and photos in Wikidata and in Wikimedia Commons about local cultural venues, organizations and performing arts productions. Particular attention will be given to geographic information that can help locate your cultural offerings, and express all of the appealing aspects of their rurality.
Warren Bain & Kit Boulter - Sparkin' Art!
Image Description: A smiling man with curly brown hair and a beard wearing a blue metallic dress shirt.
Image Description: An enigmatic person in a black, high collared coat stands in a forest, staring at the camera. Their face is nearly obscured by a shaft of sunlight and a bang of blond hair.
Warren Bain (he/him) is a Theatre Artist, Arts Administrator and Arts Educator who resides in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario. He is the Administrative Coordinator of Sparkin' Art – an inclusive digital multi-generational arts studio, and has over a decade of experience working across Canada with extensive training in Image Theatre, Forum Theatre, and Theatre of the Oppressed. His education is grounded in a BFA in Theatre Performance from Toronto Metropolitan University; Humber College's Arts Administration & Cultural Management Program with honours and Award of Excellence; and the Toronto Fringe's TENT Program. He is a member of the Education Department at the Shaw Festival; and is Artistic Associate with Sheatre, a rural based arts organization whose mission it is to use theatre and the arts to empower individuals and contribute to a healthy, compassionate society. (warrenbain.com)
Kit Boulter (they/them) is a trans non-binary Performing Artist, Poet, Facilitator and Consultant working and living in Georgian Bluffs and surrounding communities from Toronto to Ottawa. Their three-time Dora-nominated, multi-disciplinary practices range from DRAG shows to Vocal-Coaching sessions, Musical/Cabaret Performances to Community Advocacy events, Poetry and Workshop Facilitation to Music Design and Fashion Styling. The Communications Coordinator of Sparkin' Art digital inspiration studio, they aim to empower other artists' creative dreaming by connecting them with mentors, collaborators, and the skills they need to elevate and finesse their creations. They've been awarded the Governor General Award for Academic Excellence and the Triple Threat Award (Randolph College for the Performing Arts) and have collaborated with Gladday Bookshop, East King Productions, University of Toronto, the Gayety (Collingwood) and Grey Bruce Pride to produce inclusive, diverse programming. They draw on the wisdom of and connection to their humble small-town roots to improve representation and spark conversation for safer and more productive creative spaces both online and on-site in rural communities. Discover their alter-ego and public figure Qaptain @qpt_kit on instagram @qaptain on tiktok
Workshop - Sparkin’ Art with a Purpose: Digital Inspiration
Sparkin' Art is a digital inspiration studio created during the COVID-19 lockdowns to combat increased isolation that rural artists experience, and offers space to create with others in safer ways. Bain and Boulter have developed programming where participants and audiences feel connected and experience an ease trying new things, opening up, and navigating vulnerable and meaningful communications. How did they do it?
Lindy Finlan - 4th Line Theatre
Photo by Tristan Pierce
Image Description: Lindy stands in a a field. Her blonde hair comes to just below her shoulders. She wears dark round glasses and smiles.
Born and raised in the rolling hills of Northumberland County, Lindy spent many weekends on her family farm in Wooler, Ontario, directing her obliging younger relatives in romantic and silly dramas. She continued to develop her passion for the arts, pursuing a BA Honours degree in English/Cultural Studies from Trent University, a B.Ed degree and a Graduate Diploma in Arts Management from Queen's University. She has been 4th Line's General Manager for 8 years and has worked with the company in various roles since 2010, successfully fundraising millions of dollars throughout her time with the organization.
Workshop - Focused Fundraising - How to Craft a Strong Case for Support
Are you a reluctant arts fundraiser, a new and terrified arts grant-writer, or an artist who could use some tips about how to raise funds to support your art? Register to attend Focused Fundraising—How to Craft a Strong Case for Support, an interactive workshop led by 4th Line Theatre's General Manager Lindy Finlan, designed to inspire participants to tackle fundraising goals innovatively and to connect with other participants to network, chat, problem-solve and get inspired about your own fundraising projects.
Daniel Recollet-Mejaki & Samantha Lynn Brennan - Debajehmujig Storytellers
Image Description: Emerging Anishnaabe artist Daniel Recollet-Mejaki is pictured from the chest up in a white hockey jersey. He is smiling and looking into the camera.
Image Description: Multi-disciplinary artist Samantha Lynn Brennan is pictured from the chest up in a red v-neck t-shirt. She wears tortoiseshell glasses and a smile.
Daniel Recollet-Mejaki (Debajehmujig Storytellers) is a theatre artist, musician and storyteller from Wiikwemkoong, Ontario. Dan joined Debajehmujig Storytellers in 2017, improving his skills through training at Debajehmujig, workshops with the Centre for Indigenous Theatre and John Turner’s renowned MCCP (The Clown Farm). In 2019 Daniel began to write, showcase and perform modern Nanabush tales that are set in the present day and contain contemporary themes. Committed to community and culture, Daniel has also begun leading improvisational theatre workshops for local youth, and maintains an active interest in traditional practises.
Samantha Lynn Brennan (Debajehmujig Storytellers) is a multi-disciplinary artist of mixed European heritage who has been working with Debajehmujig since 2014. Sam is a storyteller, visual artist, crafts person, singer and installation artist, and now a part of the Debajehmujig faculty. Sam is also part of the Debajehmujig Improv team, both performing and training/coaching, and contributes to other stage productions through writing, performance, stage managing, prop and set building, and much more. Most recently Samantha was co-creator, writer, editor, production assistant, assistant director and performer in “A Something Else Christmas” (2020) and co-creator and performer in “In The Name of Humanity” (2021).
Workshop - Breathing New Life into Traditional Tales
No matter who your ancestors are, connecting with your traditional stories (and hearing those of other cultures) is vital to creating a shared culture of understanding and unity in a world that is so desperately divided.
Debajehmujig artists share their methods of sourcing, animating and updating traditional Anishnaabe stories for modern audiences that maintain and honour the spirit of the stories.
Peggy Raftis & Megan Raftis - Grey Wellington Theatre Guild
Image Description: Peggy Raftis smiles at the camera. Her long dark hair is loose around her shoulders and she wears silver glasses.
Image Description: Megan Raftis is smiling towards the camera. She wears dark rimmed glasses and has another pair perched on top of her head.
Peggy Raftis has been an active member of the Grey Wellington Theatre Guild since 1985 and has done every job at the theatre at least once! Now president of the Guild, she helped create the Summer Youth Theatre Program and has been a key asset ever since, using her vast experience on and off stage to inspire and encourage everyone involved. Directing, acting, and sharing her knowledge and skills with people of all ages is one of her greatest passions.
Megan Raftis inherited her love of theatre from her family, and is the third generation involved with the Grey Wellington Theatre Guild. Currently serving as secretary and wardrobe manager, her favourite theatre season is Summer Youth Theatre season, when she has the opportunity to direct and produce along side her mom! Megan has also written nine full length children's plays for the Youth Theatre Program, adapting them to meet the needs of the theatre and the cast along the way. For her involvement in youth theatre, Megan was recognized by the Rural Ontario Institute and was one of four finalists to win a spot in their Youth Engagement Showcase.
Workshop - Growing the Next Generation:Youth Theatre in a Rural Setting
Cliche as it might be, youth are our future in theatre as much as eveytlwhere else, so join us as we discuss ways to incorporate this notriously hard to reach group into your theatre! We'll share tips, strategies and lessons we've learned from more than ten years of Summer Youth Theatre productions.
Fanny Martin (Art of Festivals) & Stephanie Draker (WorkInCulture)
Image Description: Headshot of Fanny Martin (she/her/elle), profile view looking away from the camera against a blurred green background.
Image Description: Headshot of Stephanie Draker (she/her), smiling directly at the camera against a simple grey background.
Fanny is an international creative producer & facilitator specialised in festivals, networks, interdisciplinary projects and art in public space. Born and educated in France, she developed an eclectic freelance project portfolio in the UK before moving to Canada and founding Art of Festivals, a creative & strategic production company that designs transformative events to spark change and enchant everyday life. She collaborates with artists, educators, researchers, technologists and activists to produce memorable shared experiences, experiment with participatory frameworks and design learning & evaluation programmes.
Stephanie is a creative and results-driven arts professional with over a decade of experience working in the arts, culture, & heritage sector across multiple disciplines. In her role as Program Manager for WorkInCulture, Stephanie oversees the development, delivery, and evaluation of a range of programs, projects, and partnerships focused on elevating the cultural workforce and supporting the life-long career development of the people who are a part of it. Stephanie sits on several committees in support of creating stronger collaborations within arts, culture & heritage and positioning the sector as one that contributes to vibrant communities and strong economies.
Workshop - From Competition to Collaboration
From Competition to Collaboration: Fanny Martin of Art of Festivals and Stephanie Draker of WorkInCulture will provide artists, presenters and producers an opportunity to reflect on what it takes to find common ground and create strong, nurturing and mutually beneficial collaborations with their peers and partners.
Jack Langenhuizen & James Croker - MOTUS O dance theatre
Image Description: Jack is wearing a dark top and is in profile. He turns his head toward the camera and smiles.
Image Description: James wears a zippered top with the collar up and a dark knit hat. He looks directly at the camera.
A former national figure skater, Jack began, at the age of 18, his training in dance at Toronto's Roland and Romaine Dance School, including jazz, tap, ballet, musical theatre and ballroom. He also attended summer classes at York University in Toronto for 2 years. After completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo Ontario he joined the former Academy of Performing Arts School (Cambridge, Ontario) where he taught and continued his studies in dance now including modern and contact improvisation. He then toured with the Academy’s dance school in Europe, Central America and throughout North America. In 1990 Jack co-founded MOTUS O as well as took the roles of Choreographer, Performer and Teacher. Jack has created over 70 original works for the Company and has toured and taught with them throughout England, Australia, U.S.A. and Canada. Jack continues to tour with MOTUS O as well as provides movement classes with various social service organizations, including individuals with Aphasia, Autism and those involved in Hospice. He also teaches and choreographs for high schools and figure skating clubs throughout southern Ontario.
Originally a sheep shearer from Australia, James came to Canada to study dance, theatre and mime at Guelph University, Guelph Ontario, and the former Academy of Performing Arts School in Cambridge, Ontario. James worked for the Academy for over a decade, creating and performing productions in China, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America. Eventually James became the arts school director, teaching and training international young people in dance, theatre and mime. In 1990 James co-founded MOTUS O and has since been working the roles of Co-Artistic Director as well as Choreographer and Performer. He has created over 70 original works for the company and has toured them throughout England, Australia, the U.S.A. and Canada. James also is a teacher in dance and theatre with repeated teaching engagements in various Ontario High Schools in their drama and dance programs, as well as leads workshops for individuals with Aphasia, Autism and those in Hospice. James is a Co-director of MOTUS O’s Junior Company training and creating shows for youth ages 10 – 18.
Workshop - Collaborations: Just Do It!
Based on recent experiences, James and Jack from MOTUS O dance theatre will share and inspire individual artists and organizations to start thinking of non-conventional ways to get their art back 'out there' through community collaborations. From Covid's disastrous cancellations, to inspiring brand-new ideas.
Devon Hardy & Ian Garrett - The Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts
Image Description: Devon Hardy, a white woman with long, brown, wavy hair, looks into the camera, smiling slightly. She is wearing a sleeveless dark blue collared shirt. The background is blurred.
Image Description: Ian Garrett, a white man with short cropped balding hair, rectangular glasses and brown eyes, smiles kindly at the camera. He is leaning against a textured white wall in a burgundy sweater with a dark hallway behind him.
Devon Hardy is an environmental specialist with a background in environmental sciences and water resources management. After working in the environmental field for a few years, she decided to pursue a career in the arts and worked on several sustainability initiatives in partnership with arts organizations across Canada. She project-managed the adaptation of Julie's Bicycle's Creative Green Tools to the Canadian context, and is now the Program Director for the Creative Green Tools Canada program through the Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts.
Ian Garrett is a designer, producer, educator, and researcher in the field of sustainability in arts and culture. He is the director of the Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts. He is Associate Professor of Ecological Design for Performance at York University, where is Graduate Program Director for Theatre and Performance Studies, and Producer for Toasterlab, a mixed reality performance collective. He maintains a design practice focused on ecology, accessible technologies and scenography. Notable projects related to EcoScenography include the set and energy systems for Zata Omm's Vox:Lumen at the Harbourfront Centre and Crimson Collective's Ascension, a solar 150' wide crane at Coachella. With Chantal Bilodeau, he co-directs the Climate Change Theatre Action and his writing includes Arts, the Environment, and Sustainability for Americans for the Arts; The Carbon Footprint of Theatrical Production in Readings in Performance and Ecology, and Theatre is No Place for a Plant in Landing Stages from the Ashden Directory. He serves on the Board of Directors for Associated Designers of Canada, was the Curator for the US for the 2019 Prague Quadrennial, and is co-chair for World Stage Design 2022 in Calgary.
Workshop - Empowering Rural and Remote Creators with Climate Action Tools
This session will be a collaborative exercise to help participants identify their key values and priorities when it comes to taking environmental action in their communities. In addition to empowering participants to take action on the climate crises, we hope to identify ways in which Creative Green Tools Canada can be improved to bring greater utility and representation to arts and culture organizations from rural and remote communities.
Jennifer Miltenburg & Marianne Hogan - St. Joseph's Kingsbridge Centre
Image Description: Jennifer, wearing red glasses, is standing in front of some cows and smiling.
Image Description: Marianne, is wearing a dark v-neck shirt. She has short dark hair and is smiling into the camera.
Jennifer Miltenburg is a dairy farmer, municipal councillor, and a Director for St.Joseph's Kingsbridge Community, a 100% volunteer grassroots organization . In 5 years, this registered charity purchased a closed rural church, raised over one million dollars, attracted 600 volunteers and created the award winning Kingsbridge Centre: a multi-use facility and cultural centre with a community-based agenda. In her spare time, Jennifer reads self help manuals entitled "how to say NO" and is writing a memoir ( working title "Passionate Belief...or Crazy Obsession?"). Her hobbies include buying musical instruments she is convinced she will practice some day... and Kingsbridge.
Marianne Hogan is the program manager of Kingsbridge Centre which entails booking and organizing concerts, events, plays, and other community events. As a long time resident of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh in Huron County, she is familiar with the needs of rural Ontario. A retired music teacher, performer and community actor, Marianne uses her connections to create a varied program for the Centre. She attends board meetings, helps to organize volunteers, donates countless hours to organizing and promoting events, and directs the Kingsbridge Community Choir.
Workshop - Kingsbridge Centre - A Community Together
When St Joseph’s church closed in 2012, it left a vibrant rural community isolated. The nearest public building is over 15 km away; there was no venue for public gatherings, meetings, performance or rental options.St. Joseph’s Kingsbridge Community (Kingsbridge) was formed with a goal to preserve an historic building, while re-establishing a meeting place for the area. From May 2015-March 2020, 620 individuals volunteered in Kingsbridge, averaging over 7000 hours per year. Since 2017, yearly attendance at events has exceeded 4000. The occupancy rate of the building in 2019 ( excluding work bees ) was 62.5%. The workshop will touch on many related topics including community engagement, organizational and operational structure, diverse funding methods, artistic and community programming on a limited budget, and the Kingsbridge Lens -7 factors to ensure fiscal sustainability.
Symposium would not be possible without the support of our funders.
This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.
Ce projet a été rendu possible en partie grâce au gouvernement du Canada.
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
Nous remercions le Conseil des arts du Canada de son soutien.
