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The voice for opera in Canada
La voix pour l’opéra au Canada
The Association for Opera in Canada
AOC is a membership-based association for opera companies, opera artists, businesses, teaching institutions, and individuals. Our mandate is to create and sustain an environment that makes opera central to Canadian life. We work with members across the sector to mitigate challenges, celebrate successes, and help opera thrive in a changing environment. We are a communications hub, a connector and convenor, a champion and catalyst for change, and a relentless advocate.
We are committed to:
Communications: Continuously improving our services as a communications hub from AOC to members, the public and stakeholders, and between members; and to better tell the story of the positive impact opera has in communities across the country.
Convening: Acting as a convening body for the sector to come together
Advocacy: Advocating at the federal level for and on behalf of the opera sector to support increased investment in the sector through greater public engagement.
Member Services: Delivering an evolving program of member services to the sector that responds to the changes in the field.
Collaboration: Working collaboratively with other arts service organizations to maximize impact.
The Association for Opera in Canada Land Acknowledgement
Our offices are located in Toronto, Ontario, also known as T’karonto which in Kanien’kéha (Mohawk Language) means, ‘the place in the water where the trees are standing’. It is a privilege for us to work, live and play on the traditional lands of the Wendat ‘People of the Island’, the Anishinaabe ‘Original People’, Haudenosaunee ‘People of the Longhouse’ and the Mississaugas of the New Credit ‘River of the north of many mouths’. Toronto is now an international hub, with many diverse people who call this place home. That being said, we recognize, support and celebrate the enduring presence of Indigenous Peoples on this land.
Furthermore, as the Association is a national company, we extend this gratitude to the many Nations across Turtle Island. We will not lose sight of the fact that land acknowledgements exist as a small step in the process towards truth and reconciliation. However, there cannot be reconciliation before there is truth. We recognize the historical and continued oppression of lands, cultures and the Indigenous Nations in Canada. We commit to continue learning, educating and healing with our kin. We believe in the strength of the arts to aid us in creating a better world for us all.
