On Nov 30, 2018, I received confirmation of being selected as one of 5 Canada Arts Professionals from a pool of over 60 applicants to be awarded a Fellowship to the International Society for Performing Arts. The Canadian Fellowship is funded in partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts.

About ISPA:Strengthening the performing arts globally through the Strengthening the performing arts globally through the advancement of leadership, exchange of ideas, and by fostering a diverse and engaged membership. The organization’s vision is to be a leading global network of diverse cultural professionals, reflecting the entire ecosystem of the performing arts. This network will strengthen communities, and further develop and promote the appreciation and recognition of the importance of the arts to society.

ISPA's Fellowship Program was created to provide emerging and mid-career performing arts professionals with the opportunity to expand their international networks through membership and attendance at an ISPA Congress. The Fellows represent all disciplines, genres, and types of arts organizations.

Fellows have the opportunity to engage in the development and exchange of ideas with leaders from some of the world's most significant arts organizations, increase their industry knowledge and resources through educational opportunities, and share their experience with their communities.

Participants grow their international networks, find new collaborative partners and mentors, and discover renewed inspiration for their careers in the performing arts.

Twice a year, ISPA Congresses bring together performing arts leaders from across the globe to discover the next great idea, and strengthen relationships, fostering connection and exchange.

ISPA congresses are attended by more than 500 leaders from more than 50 countries representing different genres and disciplines within the performing arts field. Programming is geared toward both established and emerging leaders in the performing arts. The congress attendees include presenters, festivals, producing companies, artist managers, consultants, and government cultural leaders.

Explore the congress theme over the course of engaging panel discussions, debates, roundtable conversations, and more led by a range of industry leaders and experts. Regional updates examine the changing environments of various global regions and how you might be affected. Delegates have the opportunity to join in live and continue the conversations during the numerous networking opportunities.

Delegates socialize and network at the Professional Exchange (ProEx) marketplace, coffee breaks, receptions, and other social events during the congress. New members participate in the Community Building Program to be formally paired with a veteran ISPA member to facilitate introductions.

Fellowship Details:

• One-year ISPA membership with access to all member benefits

• Full Pass registration to the New York 2019 ISPA Congress (January 8 – 10, 2019), including a one-day Seminar prior to the Congress (January 7, 2019)

• Stipend to assist with travel and accommodation expenses related to attending the New York Congress

• Full pass registration and stipend to assist with travel and accommodation expenses related to attending the Guadalajara 2019 ISPA Congress (May 27 – June 1, 2019, TBC).

Details about the NYC Congress - https://www.ispa.org/page/congress_ny19

“While we often speak of living in the moment, the reality is most of our work requires years of planning. Be it curation, facility development or anticipating new technological advancements, we need to be highly intuitive if not clairvoyant! How do we create the future today? As we adjust for ever-changing political environments, infrastructure renewal and development, technological change, and leadership development, how do we address challenges and opportunities of which we may not even be aware? The performing arts has many unique aspects but can we also learn from other sectors?”

Congress Theme Guadalajara 2019

TBC

Why now? Why this program?
The cultural sector is undergoing rapid and intensive transformation, creating an exciting opportunity for leaders who are committed to and passionate about strengthening this field. Shifting public interest, the changing role of civic institutions in society, and the impact of technology are just a few forces altering what it means to be an artistic, creative or cultural organization today. Leading such an organization is complex, and requires a profound understanding of the communities that organization serves, and the systems in which it operates. ISPA’s Fellowship Program is uniquely positioned to equip fellows with the competencies, skills, and frameworks to navigate the complexity of, and explore leadership within, the Canadian and International cultural sector. The fellowship program builds skills, networks, and contextual knowledge to help fellows make a lasting impact.

My motivation for applying to the ISPA’s Fellowship Program and long term professional growth stems from my commitment to the sustainability of a healthy social ecology through the arts, and a deep exploration of artists and​ ​cultural​ ​organizations’​ ​role​ ​within​ ​the​ ​community.

I’m a passionate advocate for dance and its place in the arts and creative place making: the huge power of cultural exchanges to inspire, define and change communities for the better. I specialise in dance for education and the community; championing inclusivity and participation in dance through high quality​ ​experiences​ ​for​ ​all.​

Experienced in executive + artistic management, finance, strategy and business planning, organisational development, fundraising, producing, event management, building and facilities management, human resources, office and systems management,​ ​I​ ​have​ ​proven​ ​success​ ​in​ ​my​ ​current​ ​roles.

I design, deliver and manage dance programming on behalf of arts organisations for diverse cultural groups, at-risk youth, adults with mental health needs and the elderly. Current work includes Outreach + Education Management for Ballet BC, Festival Manager for Dancing on the Edge Festival and BC Manager for Dancer Transition Resource Centre.

I am driven to ​expand my understanding of the increasingly complex and interdependent environment in which arts organizations operate​, equipping myself with the skills and expanded networks to further excel. I want to contribute to strengthening Canada’s cultural sector and propelling BC’s emergence​ ​as​ ​a​ ​​leader​ ​in​ ​this​ ​area.

My work is on the brink of larger impact. My contributions to the organizations I work within are significant. I believe I have more to give. I want to connect with others who share this commitment to positive change in arts and cultural institutions, Indigenous communities, cross-sector businesses, non-profit organizations,​ ​and​ ​government.

I​ ​am​ ​committed​ ​to​ ​fostering​ ​the​ ​love​ ​of​ ​the​ ​arts​ ​and​ ​making​ ​it accessible​ ​to​ ​all​ ​age​ ​groups,​ ​abilities,​ ​economic​ ​backgrounds and​ ​cultural​ ​heritage. Cultural​ ​exchanges​ ​open​ ​doors​ ​to​ ​connecting​ ​beyond​ ​barriers​ ​and impacts​ ​social​ ​change​ ​on​ ​levels​ ​we​ ​cannot​ ​comprehend. I​ ​believe​ ​I​ ​have​ ​a​ ​large​ ​contribution​ ​to​ ​make as an advocate for dance as an artform and its significance in our society. By participating​ ​in ISPA’s Fellowship program​ ​I will join like minded international leaders/colleagues and with my unique background and experience in the dance industry I will continue towards my goal and development as a leader in the BC arts community.