Call for Submissions: Musical Instrument Bank, Canada Council for the Arts

The Canada Council for the Arts created its Musical Instrument Bank in 1985 to acquire exceptional stringed instruments to lend to gifted established professional musicians or young professional musicians about to embark on or at the beginning of an international solo or chamber music career. The musicians who receive these instruments play them throughout the loan period in concerts around the world and in recordings.

Eligible professional Canadian musicians are:

• Talented young musicians of great potential, who have begun or are about to embark on an international solo or chamber music career
• Mid-career or established musicians who already have an international solo or chamber music career, and who are in a key period with regard to career development
• All applicants must demonstrate that having a fine stringed instrument or bow at this point in their development will provide a major boost to their career and (or) enable them to move to the next level in their career.

Applicants must:

• Be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, as defined by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
• Agree to maintain permanent resident status in Canada for the term of the loan, unless the Canada Council agrees otherwise
• Have completed their basic training in music (university graduation or the equivalent in specialized training)
• Have a history of public presentation of their work
• Be recognized as professional musicians by other artists in their field
• Have submitted any outstanding final or annual report related to a previous Canada Council for the Arts grant or Musical Instrument Bank loan.

The holder of a Canada Council instrument may compete in one subsequent competition for renewal of the loan of the same instrument, if the instrument is available for renewal. After two terms with one instrument, a musician may compete for the loan of another instrument. (Note: The maximum a musician may hold an instrument is 12 years, for four loans of three years.)

Applicants to Musical Instrument Bank competitions and holders of instruments may also apply to one other Canada Council for the Arts Grants to Professional Artists program as well as a travel grant in the same fiscal year.

This Canada Council program is accessible to Aboriginal artists and artists of diverse cultural and regional communities of Canada.

Assessment of Applications

Applications are assessed by a peer assessment committee composed of experienced professional musicians or other peers who are selected for their expertise in classical and contemporary string repertoire, technique and understanding of career development dynamics. Members are also chosen to ensure fair representation of gender, the two official languages, and the various regions and cultures of Canada. The committee may include an international expert.

The committee evaluates all applications in a national competitive context and selects the finalists, who will be invited to a live audition and interview (held from 21 to 24 September 2009 in Toronto). A number of finalists will be selected, based on the artistic quality of their recorded performance and on the rest of their support material (see Part B of the application form). Finalists must be prepared to discuss their career plans during the audition, describing how having an exceptional instrument or bow from the Musical Instrument Bank at this point in their career would help them achieve their goals and (or) bring their career to the next level.

The repertoire categories for the live auditions will be the same as those for the pre-selection, but finalists may choose new pieces. Finalists will play solo works or solo works with piano accompaniment at the auditions.

Selection criteria include artistic excellence of the applicants’ playing, their professional career potential, and their ability to take full advantage of Canadian and international professional engagements during the loan period. The latter two points will be assessed from the written support material, as well as at the
in-person interview during the live audition process.

Travel Expenses

The live auditions will be held in Toronto from 21 to 24 September 2009. Finalists will receive a Canada Council travel grant of up to $1,000, depending on where they live, to help them travel to the auditions. Finalists will be responsible for covering any additional travel and accommodation costs and for making their own arrangements. The Canada Council will send finalists information on travel and funding available.

Application Guidelines and Form

2009 Competition Musical Instrument Bank can be downloaded here.  This application form can be printed; it cannot be completed online.

Further Information

Janet Riedel Pigott
Program Officer
Endowments and Prizes
Canada Council for the Arts
350 Albert Street, P.O. Box 1047
Ottawa ON  K1P 5V8

Telephone: 1-800-263-5588 (toll-free) or 613-566-4414, ext. 4116

TTY (TDD) machine, for hearing-impared callers: 613-565-5194

Fax: 613-566-4430

Call for Submissions: Nominations for Maggie Bassett Award, Theatre Ontario

Theatre Ontario is seeking nominations for the 2009 Maggie Bassett Award, to be presented at the 2009 Theatre Ontario Festival in Kanata. The Maggie Bassett Award is presented annually to an individual who, over a number of years, has made a sustained and significant contribution to the development of theatre in Ontario.

The four main criteria for the award are:

1. A significant contribution – the recipient’s impact is measurable provincially (or beyond);
2. A sustained contribution – the recipient should have a proven body of work and/or have made a continuous effort over a period of years (more than five);
3. An unselfish contribution – recipient’s history should encompass work and activity both paid and voluntary;
4. Involvement – recipient should have been involved in more than one area of theatre (professional, community, educational.)

Read the full award criteria and download a nomination form at www.theatreontario.org. The deadline for nominations is March 16, 2009. For more information, please contact John Goddard, Executive Director, at john@theatreontario.org or 416.408.4556 x.11.

Job Posting: Go Live Toronto Adverstising Associate, TAPA

The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) is seeking a casual / part-time Go Live Advertising Associate who will focus on selling advertisements in the Theatre Guide, Toronto’s Official Guide to Theatre, Dance and Opera.

The Theatre Guide is a free bi-monthly 11 x 17” folded marketing brochure featuring comprehensive theatre, dance and opera listings, Toronto theatre map, “What’s Hot” selection of three shows, and affordable advertising opportunities.  15,000 copies of each issue are printed and distributed widely to over 200 theatres, hotels and cultural attractions across the GTA, as well as with every ticket purchase at the T.O.TIX Booth.  There are 14 advertising spots available for sale per issue (with prices starting at $395 for TAPA members and $595 for non-members).

The Go Live Advertising Associate will be responsible for:

• Actively building relationships with TAPA Member organizations to encourage Guide advertisement sales;
• Actively building partnerships with a wide range of Toronto restaurants, hotels, and cultural attractions to secure Guide advertisement sales;
• Researching prospective advertising prospects;
• Meet with prospective advertisers as needed;
• Liaising and coordinating with advertisers to secure booking confirmation forms and ad artwork;
• Ensuring that advertisers submit ad artwork files that meet the design specifications;
• Reminding advertisers of ad artwork deadlines;
• Preparing bi-weekly progress reports, monitoring, contact database, and reporting on sales;
• Coordinating with the Go Live Toronto Coordinator and the Executive Director of TAPA to strategically develop the future of the Guide advertising sales.

The successful applicant will possess the following skills:

• Experience in advertising and sales
• Knowledge of the Toronto performing arts community and industry
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Proficiency and understanding of working in a Windows environment
• Able to multi-task and prioritize
• Able to work independently

Position begins March 2, 2009.
Position is flexible, part-time and work will be done off site.
Salary: 15% commission per advertisement sold.
Please send letter of interest and resume to the attention of Kate McConnell, Go Live Toronto Coordinator at TAPA by email only to: katem@tapa.ca

DEADLINE for applications is 12:00 noon, Monday February 23, 2009

All applicants are thanked for their interest however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Go Live Toronto:
Theatre Guide is a popular component of Go Live Toronto.  Go Live Toronto is a key program at TAPA designed to grow audiences, by motivating and encouraging Torontonians (and visitors to the City of Toronto) to “go live” and experience live theatre. The campaign aims to build a new audience base, to energize the youth demographic and speak to a wider audience. By offering a Theatre Guide, TAPA dedicated to building and maintaining audiences for the performing arts.

Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts:
TAPA is an arts service organization that represents nearly 200 professional theatre, dance and opera companies in the City of Toronto and works to create an environment in which the performing arts may flourish and maintain its leadership role in the vitality of the City of Toronto.

Among the programs and services provided by TAPA are: T.O. TIX – Toronto’s One-Stop Ticket Shop at Yonge-Dundas Square, The Dora Mavor Moore Awards, Go Live Toronto the city-wide arts marketing campaign http://www.goliveto.ca, and the Commercial Theatre Development Fund. http://www.tapa.ca

Job Posting: CAP Agent, Dancap Productions

Customer Appreciation Program Customer Service Agent known as CAP Agent

This is a full time (Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm) position in a great work environment that is fun and personally rewarding.

Position Start Date: Monday, March 2, 2009

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build customer loyalty by creating a positive experience through understanding and meeting customers needs quickly, professionally and accurately
• Responsible for sales: booking tickets, memberships, packages and other related Dancap products
• Work closely with Dancap Catering to sell Prix Fixe menu packages
• Contact customers through permission based outbound calling and recognize sales opportunities
• Listen effectively and answer customer questions while maintaining control and call structure
• General office duties – filing, photocopying, faxing and printing.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A passion for the performing arts and the desire to be part of a vibrant new Canadian theatre company
• At least two years of experience in a customer service and sales environment
• TM Archtics or other ticketing system experience preferred
• Telemarketing experience preferred
• Computer literacy – Microsoft Word, Excel and the Internet
• Strong organizational and multi tasking skills
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills

This position reports directly to the Sales and Operations Manager.

Please send your resume to onader@dancapproductions.com

We thank all those applicants that apply in advance and will only be responding to those qualifying candidates that meet our criteria.  www.dancaptickets.com

Job Posting: CAP Agent, Dancap Productions

This is a part-time 6 month contract position with fluctuating hours; 15-24 hours a week.
March 2 – September 7, 2009
(Monday – Friday 5:00 pm-8:00 pm; Saturday 10:00 am-8:00pm; Sunday 10:00 am-4:00 pm)

Position Start Date: Monday, March 2, 2009

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build customer loyalty by creating a positive experience through understanding and meeting customers needs quickly, professionally and accurately
• Responsible for sales: booking tickets, memberships, packages and other related Dancap products
• Work closely with Dancap Catering to sell Prix Fixe menu packages
• Contact customers through permission based outbound calling and recognize sales opportunities
• Listen effectively and answer customer questions while maintaining control and call structure
• General office duties – filing, photocopying, faxing and printing.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A passion for the performing arts and the desire to be part of a vibrant new Canadian theatre company
• At least two years of experience in a customer service and sales environment
• TM Archtics or other ticketing system experience preferred
• Telemarketing experience preferred
• Computer literacy – Microsoft Word, Excel and the Internet
• Strong organizational and multi tasking skills
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills

Please send your resume to onader@dancapproductions.com

We thank all those applicants that apply in advance and will only be responding to those qualifying candidates that meet our criteria.  www.dancaptickets.com

Job Posting: Inline Sales and Inventory Coordinator, Dancap Productions

This is a full time (Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm) position in a great work environment that is fun and personally rewarding.

Position Start Date: Monday, March 2, 2009

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Daily checks of online sales, ensuring that all account information is full and correct, including assigning points, memos, Account Group associations and Account Type administration as required
• Daily checks and required adjustments to open inventory, ensuring that tickets are available at all price levels through all applicable sales channels
• Weekly comprehensive examinations of event inventory
• Handling standard assignments and releases of hold classes, including House and Company seat releases, Supergroup and special offer hold management, qualified Ticketmaster inventory management and rush/obstructed view inventory management
• Rescaling houses as required, including assigning base price codes and default ticket classes
• Processing online applications for special memberships
• Contacting online customers as required to clarify customer information or deal with specific requests
• Organize Quarterly Customer Surveys

QUALIFICATIONS

• A passion for the performing arts and the desire to be part of a vibrant new Canadian theatre company
• At least two years experience in a customer service environment
• At least five years experience with TM Archtics and/or other ticketing system
• Computer literacy – Microsoft Word, Excel and the Internet
• Strong organizational and multi tasking skills

This position reports directly to the Ticketing Supervisor with a dotted line to the Sales and Operations Manager.

Please send your resume to onader@dancapproductions.com

We thank all those applicants that apply in advance and will only be responding to those qualifying candidates that meet our criteria.  www.dancaptickets.com

Job Posting: Customer Appreciation Program Supervisor, Dancap Productions

This is a full time position in a great work environment that is fun and personally rewarding.
Work hours vary; including evening and weekend shifts.

Position Start Date: Monday, March 2, 2009

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan, organize, administer and provide leadership to maximize the Call Centre’s efficiency, productivity and level of customer service and sales
• Maintain records and prepare written reports for sales analysis
• Supervise, schedule, train and evaluate CAP Agents
• Provide for on-going training to ensure the highest level of product knowledge and customer service
• General customer service correspondence: build customer loyalty by creating a positive experience through understanding and meeting customers needs quickly, professionally and accurately
• Listen effectively and answer customer questions while maintaining control and call structure.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A passion for the performing arts and the desire to be part of a vibrant new theatre company
• Previous experience supervising, managing or leading a successful team
• Ticketmaster or other ticketing system experience preferred
• Computer literacy – Microsoft Word, Excel and the Internet
• Strong organizational and multi tasking skills
• Need to demonstrate effective communication skills
• Experience in customer service environment
• Exceptional coaching and motivational skills
• Strong team building skills and the ability to work well with others

This position reports directly to the Sales and Operations Manager.

Please send your resume to onader@dancapproductions.com

We thank all those applicants that apply in advance and will only be responding to those qualifying candidates that meet our criteria. www.dancaptickets.com

Announcement: Arts Worker Discount for Randolph Young Company’s production of WEST SIDE STORY

RYC – Randolph Young Company, a program of the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts is offering an arts worker discount for WEST SIDE STORY.

West Side Story
Based on a Conception of Jerome Robbins
Book by Arthur Laurents
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Directed by Lawrence Axmith
Music Director Kieren Macmillan
Choreographer Shannon Cote

The Jets will rumble with the Sharks on the Bathurst Street Theatre stage in the Randolph Young Company’s production of West Side Story, February 13 to March 1, 2009. RYC’s teen performers revisit Leonard Bernstein’s most beloved songs, including “Something’s Coming,” “Maria,” “America,” “Somewhere,” and “Tonight” in this timeless story of rival New York gangs and star-crossed lovers in the mid-1950s.

RYC’s West Side Story runs at the Bathurst Street Theatre, 736 Bathurst Street (1 block south of Bloor Street) on February 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 at 7 p.m. and on February 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and March 1 at 2 p.m.

Arts workers can purchase $15 tickets (regularly $20) for any performance when they purchase at the door.  This offer is subject to seat availability with a limit of 2 tickets per arts worker at the discounted price.  Valid Arts Worker identification must be presented at time of purchase.

Visit www.randolphacademy.com or www.ticketmaster.ca for more information.

Recommended for audiences 10+ due to mature content.

Call for Submissions: New Play Development, fu-GEN

Asian-Canadian Playwrights! A CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT

fu-GEN has been invited for a second year to be a Theatre Creators’ Reserve Recommender. The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) Theatre Creators’ Reserve is a program that assists Ontario-based professional theatre creators – and informal collectives of individual creators – by funding them in the creation of new work. This program is assessed by theatre companies that act as third-party recommenders for the OAC. Recommenders receive applications directly from creators and forward grant recommendations to the OAC for authorization and payment.

fu-GEN is now accepting applications from individuals or collective artists for consideration of recommendation. The funding provided by the program is designed to provide artists the means to jumpstart or finish their work. We will only consider projects that are in their initial to pre-workshop stages of development. Applicants may ask for a minimum of $1,000 up to a maximum of $5,000. All recommendations must be approved by the OAC. Because of our mandate, first priority will be given to Pan-Asian artists. As our second priority, we will also accept applications from all other artists of colour. If you have a script or a project you would like to submit to fu-GEN for consideration, please download the applicant package from the OAC website. Along with your package please include:

• A short description of your project
• A budget listing your expenses that clearly shows how you plan to allocate the funds you may receive for the duration of the time you propose to write
• If possible, an excerpt of the proposed project or other recent work
• Development history of proposed project. 5. An up-to-date CV or resume (theatre and/or playwriting).

Please submit three hard copies to our offices. We cannot accept applications by email or fax. All applications are due to the fu-GEN office by February 27, 2009 @ 5:00 pm.

For further information about eligibility and requirements of Theatre Creators’ Reserve please visit the OAC website.  Or visit our website fu-GEN TCR webpage

Call for Submissions: Festival of Ideas and Creation, Canadian Stage Company

The Canadian Stage Company is pleased to announce a call for submissions to its second and now annual Festival of Ideas and Creation for the June 2009 Festival. Festival Director Natasha Mytnowych has released a Call for Submissions to artists who are currently working on new projects of any length and in early phases of development who would like the opportunity to publicly share their work in a festival context. Deadline for submissions is March 16, 2009.

The Festival of Ideas and Creation is an annual artistic festival, offering opportunities for professional artists locally and nationally to develop and present new work and evolve their artistic practice. The festival integrates the Company’s year-round artistic development initiatives and is programmed in collaboration with a wide array of artists and arts organizations. Additionally, the festival offers audiences opportunities to increase their understanding and participate in the development of new Canadian work.

The inaugural Festival of Ideas and Creation in May 2006 was an international playwrights’ event based on play creation, consisting of Master Classes taught by senior theatre creators, public conversations, public panels and other networking events. Teachers included Edward Albee, Leslie Arden, Denise Clarke, Joe Penhall, Judith Thompson, and Paula Vogel.

This year we are expanding upon the endeavors of the inaugural festival to include investigations of practice and process by creators, directors and designers, workshops and presentations of work in development, and the integration of youth, community and artist-driven events from June 8 – 27, 2009.

Festival Programming will be announced in April 2009.

INTERESTED APPLICANTS PLEASE SUBMIT:

• A cover letter which addresses:
• How you approach creation and your practice as an artist (250 words max)
• Ways in which you are interested in expanding your practice or artists you are inspired by (250 words max)
• History and description of your project (250 words max)
• 10 pages (Max) of the project’s script or, for more physical works, a synopsis
• A Brief bio or CV

Applications can be dropped off or mailed to:
FESTIVAL OF IDEAS AND CREATION
The Canadian Stage Company
26 Berkeley Street, Toronto, ON M5A 2W3

DEADLINE:  5 P.M. ON MONDAY MARCH 16, 2009
Applications must be received by this date. No exceptions.

For more information, please contact Festival Director Natasha Mytnowych
at 416-367-8243 x277 or nmytnowych@canstage.com