CNAL/RCAA LAUNCHES ITS INAUGURAL NETWORKING HUB IN KINGSTON
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 18, 2014
Kingston, ON - On September 24th, the Canadian Network for Arts & Learning (CNAL) will welcome members and guests for the launch of its first Networking Hub at Queen’s University in Kingston, with a professional development and networking event hosted by the UNESCO Chair in Arts & Learning.
The event will gather artists, arts organizations, educators, funders, researchers and academics for a free arts-based professional development workshop, a research roundtable focused on the creation of a handbook to evaluate the benefits of arts education in many settings, and an open networking session allowing participants to share work and discover inspiring new ways the benefits of arts-based learning are being applied across many areas of society.
“We are thrilled to launch the first CNAL Networking Hub in Kingston. The Hub will provide a much-needed venue for the sector. For many years we have seen an increasing demand for a central gathering place where arts education professionals, representing all disciplines within the community can meet, share work, put research into action, create collaborative opportunities and activate change,” stated Larry O’Farrell, CNAL Board Chair, Professor Emeritus, Queen’s University and holder of the UNESCO Chair in Arts and Learning.
The event, generously supported through $148,600 in funding received from
the Ontario Trillium Foundation in April of this year, will mark the launch of a series of CNAL networking opportunities scheduled to take place in Ontario throughout 2014-15. This substantial gift will support a range of arts education activities that will include a vital research project, as well as expanded social media and community engagement initiatives. CNAL invites those in the community interested in learning more about arts education to participate in this event. Space is limited and more information can be found on the CNAL website: www.eduarts.ca
“I’m thrilled that Kingston will be home to one of the two regional hubs that will help facilitate learning through the arts and collaboration among the arts community. The arts are such an integral part of our lives, fostering individual creativity and enriching and inspiring our communities. This program will help bring the arts to more people, leading to more fully realized, fulfilled and complete lives." - Sophie Kiwala, MPP for Kingston and the Islands.
As the united, national voice for arts and learning in Canada, CNAL is delighted to be launching this significant and critical initiative in its hometown of Kingston.
To learn more about CNAL, CNAL membership and how to participate in the Networking Event, please visit http://eduarts.ca/.
The Canadian Network for Arts & Learning (CNAL) was established as a direct response to the first UNESCO World Conference on Arts Education in Lisbon, Portugal in 2006. Canadian delegates identified the need for a broader national voice for arts and learning and in 2008 the evolving group passed a Framework for Action at its symposium in Kingston, Ontario. In 2009 the Canadian Network for Arts and Learning was formally established. CNAL is a dynamic non-profit organization that strongly believes that the arts are the gateway to creativity and are fundamental to the education of the fully realized individual. We are dedicated to building a world where the arts are integral to the learning process, not only in school but throughout life.
A leading grant-maker in Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) strengthens the capacity of the voluntary sector through investment in community-based initiatives. An agency of the Government of Ontario, OTF builds healthy and vibrant communities.
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Contact: Katie Bergin, Executive Director
Email: cnalrcaa[at]eduarts.ca
CNAL FOUNDER'S CONFERENCE IN THE NEWS
THE CANADIAN NETWORK FOR ARTS & LEARNING PRESENTS TRIBUTE AWARD TO SOULPEPPER FOR ITS YOUTH OUTREACH INITIATIVES.
For immediate Release
October 25, 2013, Kingston, ON – On October 24, 2013, the Canadian Network for Arts & Learning (CNAL) presented their Tribute Award to the Soulpepper Theatre Company for its transformational youth outreach programming. The award was presented to Soulpepper Founding Member and Artistic Associate Nancy Palk at a dinner as part of the CNAL Founders’ Conference held at Queen’s University in Kingston.
“Soulpepper helps transform the lives of the young people they work with, creating a ripple effect in their communities, throughout the city of Toronto and beyond,” said CNAL Chair Larry O’Farrell. “At CNAL, we recognize and promote the vital importance of equal access to the arts and arts education for all Canadians. The free and high-quality programming Soulpepper provides makes the company uniquely deserving of this tribute.”
Soulpepper’s education and outreach activities reach more than 7500 youth each year through broad-ranging initiatives including March Break Programs, Youth Alumni workshops, student group tickets, Soulpepper In-the-Schools and ESL In-the-Schools, and the Youth Mentorship Program. The company provides almost 2000 no-charge tickets to youth in various communities yearly.
Previous CNAL Tribute Award recipients include Walter Pitman O.C., The McConnell Family Foundation, and Leslee Silverman, Founding Artistic Director of the Manitoba Theatre for Young People.
The Canadian Network for Arts & Learning (CNAL) was established as a direct response to the first UNESCO World Conference on Arts Education in Lisbon, Portugal in 2006. Canadian delegates identified the need for a broader national voice for arts and learning and in 2008 the evolving group passed a Framework for Action at its symposium in Kingston, Ontario. In 2009 the Canadian Network for Arts and Learning was formally established. CNAL is a dynamic non-profit organization that strongly believes that the arts are the gateway to creativity and are fundamental to the education of the fully realized individual. We are dedicated to building a world where the arts are integral to the learning process, not only in school but throughout life.
Photo caption: Founding Member and Artistic Associate Nancy Palk receives CNAL Tribute Award on behalf of Soulpepper Theatre Company from CNAL board member John Hobday (left) and board Chair Larry O’Farrell.
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Media Contact:
Jennifer Petrilli
Communications Consultant
communications[at]eduarts.ca
For Immediate Release
THE CANADIAN NETWORK FOR ARTS & LEARNING WELCOMES CELEBRATED SPEAKERS AND UNVEILS RESEARCH AT FOUNDERS’ CONFERENCE
Kingston, ON, October 24, 2013 - On October 24-25, 2013, The Canadian Network for Arts & Learning (CNAL) welcomes members from across Canada for its Founders’ Conference, taking place at Queen’s University, Kingston, hosted by the Faculty of Education and the UNESCO Chair in Arts & Learning.
The Founders’ Conference gathers artists, arts organizations, educators, funders, researchers and academics to share research, and discover inspiring new ways the benefits of arts-based learning are being applied across many areas of society. “For several years, Canadian professionals in all sectors of arts and learning, representing all disciplines, have been calling for the creation of a national organization with the capacity to provide leadership in policy development and to speak on behalf of the field in all parts of the country. CNAL is now poised to fulfil this role and the results of its remarkable growth will be on display at the Founders’ Conference in October,” stated Larry O’Farrell, CNAL Board Chair, Professor Emeritus, Queen’s University and holder of the UNESCO Chair in Arts and Learning.
The Conference marks the unveiling of a much-anticipated research project, generously supported by $85,000 in funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation in 2012, on the need for more arts-based learning across many sectors. "Through the current CNAL/RCAA research, we are hearing from artists, arts organizations, and arts-in-learning funders, from all provinces and Territories, that there is far more demand for arts-based learning than they can accommodate at the present time," said Dr. Ann Patteson, Lead Researcher from Patteson Arts and Education Consulting. "There is a strong need for CNAL/RCAA to act as a unifying force for the arts-in-learning community in Canada, responding to and advocating for its needs for all sectors of society, including those groups that are typically marginalized."
The Conference also welcomes a number of high-profile speakers. Jeff Melanson, President of the Banff Centre, and visionary arts innovator will provide the keynote. Panelists include Antoni Cimolino, Artistic Director of the Stratford Festival; Roberta Smith, COO of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra; Francine Chaîné, Professor at l’Ecole des arts visuels, Laval University, and author and arts policy consultant Max Wyman O.C.
The Soulpepper Theatre Company, much acclaimed for their transformational arts education and youth outreach initiatives, will be honoured at a Gala Tribute dinner on Thursday night. Nancy Palk, Soulpepper Founding Member and Associate Artist, will be present to accept the award.
With an array of live performances by local artists and students, the CNAL Founders’ Conference will celebrate Canadian creativity and innovation, and showcase Kingston’s rich arts and culture community.
The Canadian Network for Arts & Learning (CNAL) was established as a direct response to the first UNESCO World Conference on Arts Education in Lisbon, Portugal in 2006. Canadian delegates identified the need for a broader national voice for arts and learning and in 2008 the evolving group passed a Framework for Action at its symposium in Kingston, Ontario. In 2009 the Canadian Network for Arts and Learning was formally established. CNAL is a dynamic non-profit organization that strongly believes that the arts are the gateway to creativity and are fundamental to the education of the fully realized individual. We are dedicated to building a world where the arts are integral to the learning process, not only in school but throughout life.
A leading grant-maker in Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) strengthens the capacity of the voluntary sector through investment in community-based initiatives. An agency of the Government of Ontario, OTF builds healthy and vibrant communities.
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For Media Assistance Contact:
Jennifer Petrilli, Communications
communications[at]eduarts.ca