Holiday Hours
The Association for Opera in Canada offices are closed between December 21, 2020 and January 4, 2021. We wish you and your loved ones all the best for a peaceful, restful and enjoyable holiday season. We look forward to seeing you in the new year!
Demo Day
On December 3, we hosted Demo Day to share the results of Phase 1 of our digital strategy project “The Opera Impact Platform Project”. Over 20 opera company delegates were in attendance for a demonstration of the new Opera Civic Impact Platform. Through the Opera Impact Platform, opera companies will be able to collect data directly from the platform, and access a live reporting dashboard with the capacity to translate opera impacts into community outcomes and global UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Opera Impact Platform Project is funded by the Canada Council for the Arts Digital Strategy Grant. Project partners and vendors include Sametrica, Good Roots Consulting and Mass Culture.
Annual Meeting of Members
On November 25, 2020, the Association for Opera in Canada held its Annual Meeting of Members where it was announced that the association posted a small operating surplus for the fourth consecutive year. Elected at the meeting was new board member Jennifer Szeto, co-founder, Musique 3 Femmes. Read the full release here: https://www.opera.ca/whats-new/annual-meeting-of-members-november-2020/
Annual Report
Explore the highlights of our fiscal year ending June 30, 2020 in our newly released Annual Report 19/20. The report is available here: https://www.opera.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Annual-Report-1920.pdf
New Land Acknowledgement Resource for the Opera Sector
We are excited to share a new Indigenous-led Guidance for the Opera Sector on Land Acknowledgements, developed by Indigenous Advisor, Métis mezzo-soprano Rebecca Cuddy. The Resource contains important insights on why we do Land Acknowledgements and resources for further education. View the document here: Land Acknowledgement Resource for the Opera Sector in Canada.
We are grateful for the work of Rebecca in developing this guidance during the summer of 2020. The guide includes definitions, pronunciation guides, as well as land acknowledgements for every region in Canada. It is designed so that every company in Canada may engage in thoughtful reflection as they develop authenticity, accountability, and humility in their land acknowledgments.
Introducing the Opera Artist Category
We are excited to announce a new membership category to engage our sector’s most valued asset, opera artists! The Opera Artist Membership offers unequalled access to the LINK program (see below). Best of all, this year the new OMEP program provides benefits and services regardless of ability to pay! To learn more, follow the link here.
LINK Programs (Leadership, Innovation, Networking, Knowledge)
The LINK Programs are a new Artist benefit and service design to help artists develop professional skills and empower individuals to feel more confident pursuing multifaceted careers.
We currently have three programs running under the LINK umbrella:
- The RBC Future Launch Fellowship supports sixteen exceptional Canadian emerging artists from all disciplines of opera to participate in a year-long skill development and leadership training program. Meet the Fellows here!
- The RBC Future Launch Mentors are a group of sixteen portfolio artists from across Canada who will support the Emerging Artist Fellows through their professional skills development, personal growth, and through fostering community and sharing ideas. Meet the Mentors here!
- The LINK Workshop Series provides free digital learning opportunities for artist members, exploring topics such as grant writing for artists, mental health, creating in a digital space, applying for professional jobs.