Get to know your CADA/BC...
Welcome to the first CADA/BC Member's Newsletter.
This month, we discuss using our
Basic Dance Agreement, present a profile of
Kristina Lemieux, our Program Coordinator, and put forward a
challenge to all Members to strengthen our collective voice.
CADA/BC Fact of the Month:
Always have a contract.
Before you engage in a project, paid or not, it is good practice to have a contract drawn up and signed by both parties. It defines what the job is, outlines rights and responsibilities and establishes who to go to with questions.
Drawing up a contract is a shared responsibility.
We provide a
Basic Dance Agreement to take into negotiations, before commencing with a project. For further education, we provide various
contract resources on our website. CADA/BC Members can also
contact our office for Free Consultations.
CADA/BC Profile:
Kristina Lemieux
CADA/BC Program Coordinator
Where are you from?
I grew up in Alberta, living in both Edmonton and Drayton Valley. I moved to Vancouver 5 years ago.
Are you a dancer?
In Edmonton, I was an active member of the dance community and danced with Orchesis Dance Group, KO Dance Project and Mile Zero Dance. I also did quite a bit of choreography. Since moving to Vancouver, I have danced with Continuum Dance Company at the Shadbolt Centre and irregularly taken class here and there.
What are some examples of the work you do for CADA/BC?
I spend a lot of time writing: grants, proposals, emails, resources, etc. I also talk a lot to other service organizations and dance companies in Vancouver and Canada. We are always working on a project or two. Plus, all of the admin work that goes with running a small organization. I really enjoy the book-keeping. It’s a quiet activity that makes sense of chaos.
What should Members contact you about?
Everything. Well, everything to do with your dance career. Specifically, CADA/BC concerns itself with improving the socio-economic status of dance artists. So, things like contracts, wages, work conditions, WCB, insurance, health care, taxes and the like. But, as I said, I talk to other organizations all the time. If I don’t have the answer for you, I’ll know who will and be able to give out a phone number or email within five minutes.
How can Members get in touch with you?
CADA/BC's
office is on the 7th floor of The Dance Centre. I can usually be found there in person Tuesday—Friday afternoons. Sometimes the door is closed, but if the 'come in' sign is up, please do so. However, with meetings and errands, it can be challenging to track me down. I recommend shooting me an
email first, that way I can make sure I’m here for your visit.
Do you have any 'golden rules' artists should heed?
I always tell independent artists that there are two keys to the success of an independent arts career: networking and administration. This means that you must be able to talk about yourself and your work to strangers and be able to reply to an email in a timely manner. Also, be a joy to work with.
Speak With Your Feet:
This month's advocacy challenge...
Send a quick email to Ida Chong, B.C.'s Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, demanding disclosure of where public arts dollars have been spent.
- go to idachong.com and click the red 'Feedback' tab on the left
The remaining $3.2M of the Sport and Arts Legacy Fund has been allocated, but the B.C. Liberals are not saying where the money has gone.
The government announced a portion of the fund for community anniversary celebrations this past March, however, most of the money remains unaccounted for.
“The Liberals are awarding over 3 million of British Columbians’ dollars meant to support arts with no application process, no criteria, and no consultation with the arts community,” says Chandra Herbert, MLA, Vancouver—West End.
Ida Chong states that all remaining funds have been distributed to various organizations, but that there will be no announcement of where the money has gone or what process was used for choosing the recipients.
Traditionally, arts monies are distributed in an arms-length manner to ensure integrity in the process. Herbert says this money was not only awarded quietly at the minister’s discretion, but also without input and participation from experts like the B.C. Arts Council.
“B.C.’s arts community deserves better” says MLA Herbert.
If you agree that a more transparent process is necessary...
Go to idachong.com, click the red 'Feedback' tab on the left side of the page and demand full disclosure of how public arts funds are being allocated.
CADA/BC and its Members...
Ensuring dance remains a vital part of our culture.
