artsvest: A National Roll Out
artsvest, a national matching incentive and mentorship training program for small and medium-sized arts and cultural organizations across Canada, was first launched in 2005. Over the past 12 years, 1,833 organizations have participated and formed 4,878 partnerships with businesses, raising $21.19M in new private sector investment. Combined with matching funds, the overall impact is $29.25M to Canada’s cultural sector.
In May, we were thrilled to launch the next phase of our artvest program nationally, in partnership with Canadian Heritage’s Canada Cultural Investment Fund, who provided $2.33 million of continued investment. (Read the full press release)
Since our national launch, we have brought artsvest to five provinces across Canada, including Montreal, where the program was introduced for the first time.
Here’s a timeline of our regional roll-outs and an introduction to the incredible artsvest team whose hard work brought all of this to life!
National team
Candace Elder
National Program Director, artsvest
One thing not many people know about me is…
I have a small but mighty collection of vinyl records
Growing up I wanted to be…
a back-up singer
One quote that really resonates with me is…
Patti Smith “Make your interactions with people transformational, not just transactional”
If you could have dinner with one person (famous or not), who would it be and why?
Nina Simone. at the Blue Note. perhaps she could play a song or two.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I would love to go back to Iceland, rent a place for a few months and write a book.
What book has influenced you the most?
Patti Smith, Just Kids and everything she’s ever written. see question #3
Jessica Vellenga
Associate National Program Director, artsvest
One thing not many people know about me is…
I have lived most of my life in nature, from a cabin in Algonquin Park to the wilderness of the Yukon.
Growing up I wanted to be…
an artist and I am!
One quote that really resonates with me is…
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” ― Mary Oliver
If you could have dinner with one person (famous or not), who would it be and why?
Claude Cahun, I would love to listen to their story, their artwork, bravery and activism are inspiring.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Iceland
What book has influenced you the most?
Inside the Visible edited by Catherine de Zegher
Regional Launches
Toronto
May 29-June 14
Regions: Etobicoke, Downtown, Downtown, Scarborough
We were very proud to bring artsvest back to Toronto, with workshops in Etobicoke, downtown Toronto, and Scarborough. 85 arts organizations have been accepted into the program and are now continuing to the next phase with workshops starting this fall.
Click to see the full list of participating organizations
Monika Hakala
Program Manager, artsvest Toronto
One thing not many people know about me is…
I don’t have an appendix
Growing up I wanted to be…
An architect
One quote that really resonates with me is…
“Happiness can be found in the darkest of times if one remembers to turn on the light.” – Albus Dumbledore
If you could have dinner with one person (famous or not), who would it be and why?
Joe Hisaishi because I’d love to hear about where he finds his inspiration.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
New Zealand so I could do the Lord of the Rings hike
What book has influenced you the most?
The Giving Tree by Shiel Silverstein
Toronto Funders
Montreal
June 14-21
Regions: Ville-Marie, Quartier Latin, St-Michel, Maison de la culture de Verdun, Quartier Latin
For the first time in the program’s history, artsvest proudly launched in Montreal. Over 100 arts organizations attended our inaugural event at the Conseil des arts de Montréal, giving us an incredible welcome. To date, we have 70 organizations participate from across the Montreal area. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to bring artsvest to Montreal and very excited about our future in this beautiful city!
Click to see the full list of participating organizations
Mireille Couture
Program Manager, artsvest Montreal
One thing not many people know about me is…
When camping, I’m the one who really likes to install and attach the blue tarp on the tree to protect the camp with just the RIGHT angle.
Growing up I wanted to be…
A dancer. But after that, I really envied people who were backstage at a tv show with headsets. It always looked more exciting, but I didn’t know it was a real job! After that, I was obsessed with photography.
One quote that really resonates with me is…
“The most beautiful thing in art is that at each new stage you feel like a student” – Vsevolod Emilievitch Meyerhold.
If you could have dinner with one person (famous or not), who would it be and why?
Mattew B Crawford, an American philosopher, to discuss the importance of the work of artists and craftsmen, at a time when attention is in crisis, in reference on his last book, The World Beyond Your Head: On Becoming an Individual in an Age of Distraction.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Surprisingly, my best travels were always in countries I had never dreamed of! What could happen if I’m dreaming about Egypt, Vietnam or Argentina?
What book has influenced you the most?
Women Who Run With the Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estés.
Montréal Funders
Alberta
June 17-27
Regions: Athabasca, Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Medicine Hat, Red Deer
artsvest returned to Alberta where we are proud to say, we have strong and much-valued support locally and regionally. We had a record number of more than 100 participating arts organizations in the artsvest program representing regions across the province. We look forward to building on this momentum as we continue to engage with new organizations across Alberta.
Click to see the full list of participating organizations
Allison Moore
Program Manager, artsvest Alberta
One thing not many people know about me is…
I’m a graduate of the Calgary Citzen’s Police Academy
Growing up I wanted to be…
A gym teacher, which if you know me is hilarious.
One quote that really resonates with me is…
“Art is not meant to answer questions. It’s meant to demonstrate possibilities.”
If you could have dinner with one person (famous or not), who would it be and why?
RuPaul, obviously.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Iceland, always.
What book has influenced you the most?
The Art of Happiness by The Dalai Lama
Alberta Funders
British Columbia
July 3-22
Regions: Launched in Fort St John, Cranbrook, Masset, Whistler, Metro Vancouver
We returned to British Columbia where artsvest was introduced to four new regions and re-introduced to arts organizations in the Metro Vancouver area. We are still confirming acceptance of organizations but will provide the full list of participating organizations here as it becomes available. We look forward to bringing this valuable program to organizations from across the province.
Click to see the full list of participating organizations
Kenji Maeda
Program Manager, artsvest B.C.
One thing not many people know about me is…
I have 20+ years of experience as a sushi chef.
Growing up I wanted to be…
a bird
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
One of the places I haven’t been to but want to visit is New Zealand.
What book has influenced you the most?
Most recently it’s The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
British Columbia Funders
Saskatchewan
September 9-25
Regions: Swift Current, Regina, Melville, Estevan, Meadow Lake, Prince Albert, Saskatoon
Our final launch was Saskatchewan, where artsvest once again returned and hosted Information Sessions in seven regions across the province. We are thrilled with the welcome we have received from our government partners and from the local arts, culture and heritage communities. We are still rolling out the program in Saskatchewan but we will provide the full list of participating organizations here as it becomes available.
Wendy Thienes
Program Manager, artsvest Saskatchewan
One thing not many people know about me is…
I have spent the last two summers hanging out with Scotty, the World’s Largest T.rex, at the T.rex Discovery Centre in Eastend, Saskatchewan, as the Program Supervisor. Population of Eastend: 503 The Centre houses a full replica of this magnificent beast who was found right here in southwest Saskatchewan in 1991, and it humbles me and helps me put life into perspective everyday.
Growing up I wanted to be…
A writer.
One quote that really resonates with me is …
“To the world, you may be one person; but to one person, you may be the world.” – Dr. Seuss
If you could have dinner with one person (famous or not), who would it be and why?
I’d always pick my hubby; a simple BBQ dinner on our patio in the summer, with a nice bottle of wine.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
The East Coast of North America; I’ve always been drawn to stories that are set here; Prince Edward Island, Connecticut, etc. I’d love to spend a summer somewhere in the ocean…
What book has influenced you the most?
The Icarus Deception by Seth Godin
Saskatchewan Funders
