Performing Arts Grants Awarded 2007
The Metcalf Foundation is pleased to announce total disbursements of $1.5 million through the Performing Arts Program in 2007. The following organizations received grants this year:
Strategic Initiatives
Through Strategic Initiatives proggram (SI), small and mid-sized professional performing arts companies in Toronto have an opportunity, over a three-year period, to implement a strategic course of action that would not be possible under normal budgetary circumstances. It is the Foundation's hope that succesfully implemented plans will make organizations stonger and more resilient, productive, and effective in the execution of their creative mandates.
SI (Year 1 of 3 years)
The Chimera Project $20,000
to create the position of Business Development Manager to allow their administrative structure to parallel the extraordinary artistic growth of the company and result in a shift from operations funded on a project-to-project basis to an annually funded organization.
Clay and Paper Theatre $20,000
to create a new part-time position of Development Associate that will become a permanent part of the organizational structure of the company in order to concentrate on revenue development, internal and external communications, and Board development.
Corpus Dance Projects $20,000
to develop the effectiveness of their touring activities by broadening the scope of their existing agent position into the role of Director of Touring Operations.
DanceMakers $36,000
to engage a Resident Dramaturge and Animateur in order to address two related components of their artistic vision: building a distinct voice through the quality of their art-making, and developing existing and new audiences.
Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company $20,000
to provide assistance to the Artistic Director, in the form of the creation of part-time positions in administrative and artistic roles, in order to enable her to focus more fully on creative and professional development.
Factory Theatre $61,350
to create a Facility Development Team, a group of experienced outsiders to guide the company through the three-year preparation for renovations and the launch of a capital campaign, including work with architects and building consultants finalizing plans.
Native Earth Performing Arts $20,000
to create the position of Artistic Associate in order to alleviate some of the artistic planning and development responsibilities of the Artistic Director and to address ideas of succession by training another individual into the leadership of an Aboriginal arts organization.
Opera.ca $20,000
to develop and launch an integrated program providing opportunities for mentoring and knowledge-sharing among the creators of opera, including roundtable workshops and the opportunity for the presentation of full-scale orchestral work in a risk-free setting, in order to mitigate the risk of engaging in the creation of new opera.
Roseneath Theatre $27,750
to engage in two projects addressing their challenges of product and profile: creating a mentoring team of Artistic Associates to work with David S. Craig in the development of new work, and having strong presence at international arts market conferences.
The Storytellers' School of Toronto $20,000
to heighten the celebration of the art of storytelling throughout the year and to raise the profile of the organization through the creation of additional storytelling events in conjunction with their upcoming move into the Green Arts Barns community.
Volcano Non-Profit Productions Inc. $20,000
to solidify and expand their position as an internationally active experimental company through: networking and partnering, to make and maintain international connections; training, to bring international knowledge and teachers to Canada; and touring exchange, to create collaborative work on an international scale.
SI (Year 2 of 3 years)
Canadian Music Centre $72,000
will be much more proactive in promoting and marketing its most important asset, the creative legacy of 676 composers, to buyers in Canada and worldwide; outside experts will work with staff to analyze products and markets, and to test and evaluate several strategic approaches.
Dance Collection Danse $20,000
will implement a three-year strategy for resource development, as part of a major organizational renewal; a fundraising mentor will work with staff to bring new knowledge and attitudes to the company with regard to income development, expanding existing avenues of support and exploring new sources of funding.
Danceworks $20,000
will access specialist knowledge and support for the current outreach officer to develop effective and consistent educational programs adaptable to diverse artists and audiences; will create a template for use with local and touring artists for future projects, and design and test an evaluation model for its initiatives.
Danny Grossman Dance $25,000
will preserve seminal works of Danny Grossman through film, notation, and other methods during rehearsal and performance, and develop a teaching syllabus and fully documented materials for licensing this work to future generations of dancers and dance students.
Dusk Dances $20,000
will engage a tour producer for their expanding community residency project, and work with First Leadership Ltd. to design and undertake a three-year evaluation to better understand the quantitative and qualitative impact of this program.
Fujiwara Dance Inventions $20,000
will work with arts consultant Ottie Lockey to develop and implement a targeted tour marketing plan in order to build on existing touring success; components of the plan include research, travel, peer learning, mentoring, and strategic choices in priority markets and promotional material.
Jumblies Theatre $20,000
will create the Jumblies Playground, a training and mentorship initiative for artists intended to foster a more broadly based community arts movement; training will be delivered through a variety of programs in partnership with other companies and the Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood Centre.
Obsidian Theatre $20,000
will strengthen its staff and its internal administrative capacities as the company works to realize the full potential of The Polished Hoe; will hire a part-time staff person dedicated to resource development, and also access specialist consultants who can mentor this person.
Soundstreams $45,000
will respond to significant changes in society and technology by exploring new ways of producing and disseminating new music as an independent production company; issues of technology, creative rights, and public and private partnerships will be addressed in collaboration with other institutions such as the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media at McGill.
Tapestry New Opera $36,140
will create its first resident Studio Company, whose artists will form the core for all Tapestry projects, and invest in specialized training for them in voice, acting, and creative collaboration; they will also use the company to create additional points of entry for audience engagement.
Toronto Children's Chorus $55,000
will execute a strategy to broaden and strengthen the community of TCC singers and audiences for the future: dedicate a staff person to the communications area, redesign its website, explore the creation of an alumnae choir, and enhance the recruitment potential in its school performances and educational programs.
SI (Year 3 of 3 years)
Buddies in Bad Times $68,500
will strengthen its ability to reach out to, and develop, the next generation of artists and audience members by hiring a Director of Youth Initiatives, creating cost-effective youth oriented marketing materials, expanding their list of partnering agencies, and developing an interactive specific component of their website.
Esprit Orchestra $28,625
will take the orchestra out of the concert hall to perform before targeted new audiences in alternative public spaces not traditionally associated with concerts; this involves free performances and educational activity, conducted in partnership with other cultural organizations.
Necessary Angel Theatre $26,235
will create a part time position focused on touring, in order to take advantage of opportunities coming from strong interest in its current and future work; this will allow for consistent attention to the cultivation and securing of presenters, and the logistical concerns of touring nationally and abroad.
Nightswimming $20,000
will explore new models for financial participation in the subsequent production of works they have created; will develop a new structure to facilitate independent investment in touring and the company; and take advantage of its expertise in dramaturgy by developing mutually beneficial partnerships with acting schools and universities.
Opera Atelier $85,000
will focus on training and apprenticeship in all facets of its highly specialized repertoire, and strengthen administrative capacity, as it works to see the work of the early baroque period take its rightful place as part of the standard repertoire for opera and ballet companies around the world.
Prologue to the Performing Arts $28,000
will hire an education resources consultant in order to respond to many changes in the school system and improve service to artists, educators and community presenters; this includes updated resource material and curriculum connection documents and a better performance evaluation system.
Queen of Puddings $20,000
will take advantage of a prestigious invitation to Covent Garden to showcase their work to key individuals from Europe and around the world, so they can in subsequent years build on this experience to nurture a touring network for this piece and future productions.
Talisker Players $20,000
will hire an operations coordinator on a permanent part-time basis, and share rented space with other music organizations in Trinity St. Paul Church; this will give them a base from which to realize opportunities to bring new visibility, audiences, and revenues to the company.
Theatre Direct $25,880
will implement a transition plan to prepare for new ongoing responsibilities that will come with their first home venue; this includes establishing relationships in the new community, working closely with the design/build team, and developing new school and weekend programming for the new studio.
Théâtre français de Toronto $43,000
will implement strategies to ensure that its artistic growth and maturation is reflected in its marketing abilities and its fund-raising practices; this includes implementing new sophisticated and integrated software, and an effective stewardship program to improve the quality of the relationships it builds through its work.
Theatre Smith Gilmour $20,000
will secure the services of a tour manager and Asia specialist to help them with growing interest in their work from China and other Asian countries; this includes liaison with presenters, sponsors and other partners, Canadian and foreign governments, and help with transportation and logistics.
Toronto Consort $20,000
will take advantage of the momentum from the recent Metamorphoses festival, and new audiences identified through the festival, to focus on building their membership and individual donation campaigns; this includes improved communications and website development.
Internships
Under the Professional Development program (PD), the Foundation supports the training and development of artists, administrators and production staff. Two parallel streams within this program provide opportunities for practitioners at different stages within their career: internships for individuals who have completed formal training and are in the early stages of their careers, and grants for senior practitioners to pursue significant opportunities for professional development or renewal.
Canadian Opera Company
$27,216
for Carolyn Choo as properties intern.
$21,600
for Jessica Sisson as costume intern.
The Canadian Stage Company
$24,510
for Lokki Ma as properties intern.
$27,500
for Briana Brown as artistic producer intern.
Carousel Players
$9,900
for Anrita Petraroia as production manager/producer intern.
The Gallery Players of Niagara
$27,500
for Michael Elg as management intern.
The Grand Theatre
$21,000
for Dan Kurek as Technical Director intern.
Jumblies Theatre
$26,000
for Sean Frey as artistic intern.
Necessary Angel Theatre Company
$27,500
for Kate Hodgert as producer intern.
Niagara International Chamber Music Festival
$27,500
for Barbara Worthy as administrative intern.
Nightwood Theatre
$24,000
for Audrey Dwyer as Artistic Director/dramaturge intern.
Opera Lyra Ottawa
$27,500
for Laura Beks as development intern.
Roseneath Theatre
$27,500
for Heather Landon as tour management intern.
Shaw Festival
$26,000
for Tanya Apostolidis as creative management intern.
$16,500
for Wayne Gwillim as Music Director intern.
Toronto Dance Theatre
$16,630
for Gillian Lewis as production intern.
Volcano Non-Profit Productions Inc.
$27,500
in collaboration with Peggy Baker Dance Projects, for Kevin Gojmerac as administrative intern.
Opportunities For Senior Artists And Administrators
Through this program the Foundation wishes to acknowledge the contribution of senior practitioners, and the benefits that can accrue - to them, their art, their organizations, and the sector - from periods of professional development, reflection and renewal.
Necessary Angel Theatre Company $18,590
to allow General Manager Guy de Carteret to build the important contacts and skills required for international booking through attendance at various festivals and events.
Discretionary Grants
Under extraordinary circumstances, the Foundation makes small grants outside of our program areas in order to support select organizations while they make important changes that correspond to our funding priorities. Typically, organizations receiving discretionary grants have been invited to make these special applications.
Shakespearience Performing Arts $10,000
to provide one year of bridge financing to allow the company's operations to continue while they restructure their administratioin, fundraising activities, and Board of Directors in order to allow long-term health.
The Theatre Centre $25,000
to prepare architectural renderings in support of The Theatre Centre's bid for the cultural retrofit of the Carnegie Library building in the Queen/Gladstone area of Toronto.
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