MINTO – Registration is now open for a province-wide performing arts symposium to be held here in May.
The Reaseau SPARC (Supporting Arts in Rural and Remote Communities) Network will hold its biennial symposium in Minto from May 23 to 26.
SPARC’s mandate is to provide networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities for individuals, groups and organizations that make the performing arts happen in rural and remote areas.
The conference is expected to bring people to Minto from across Ontario and beyond to participate in workshops, seminars, tours and activities in local venues including the Palmerston Community Centre, Palmerston Lions Heritage Park and Harriston Town Hall Theatre.
“Re-igniting the spark” is the theme of the conference. SPARC director Gordon Duff, a member of the Minto Arts Council, said the theme acknowledges the post-pandemic return of live performing.
“It’s about making sure that you get the audiences back and the artists back and the venues are back … and that maybe we’ve got new ways of doing things,” he explained.
Duff said the program contains plenty of interest for “anyone who’s in the arts sector.
“So it could be a manager of a venue, someone who’s in performing arts, they could be an actor, that kind of thing,” he said, adding the symposium would also be of interest to people in fields like recreation and leisure.
“The SPARC symposium brings together the people who make the arts happen in small communities in ways that aren’t possible at larger conference and showcase events, and it brings people together who wouldn’t normally get the chance to meet,” noted Fergus Grand Theatre coordinator Eric Goudie, another member of the SPARC board of directors.
“Community arts leaders in Wellington County have the chance to meet people just like them, who have faced many of the same challenges as they have, and who have found innovative solutions to rural arts presenting needs.
“In between symposia the SPARC organization maintains and nurtures these connections through its newsletter, online peer-to-peer chats, and other networking opportunities.”
Goudie added, “SPARC describes itself as a place for ‘artists, producers, presenters, and community animators.’
“If you are engaged in the performing arts, at any level – amateur, professional, or anywhere in between – in any capacity, this conference is for you. Youth delegates are encouraged to register too. In particular, the SPARC Symposium tends to draw in the ‘community animators’ – these are the people who can have many different titles, but all share one thing in common: they are the people in the community who make the arts happen.
“They book the venues, negotiate the contracts, sell the tickets, lobby the politicians, organize the bake sales – they do whatever it is that needs to be done, and they find ways to overcome whatever obstacles are in their way.”
While some SPARC members are professionals, Duff points out, the vast majority are involved through volunteer organizations or in a work in arts in a part-time capacity.
The program offers workshops, live performances, a short-film festival, participation in improv sessions and local excursions.
The 10 workshops offered will cover topics ranging from providing diverse and accessible performances, to grant preparation, creating partnerships, staging a concert series and sparking creative inspiration.
Presenters include experts from the Stratford Festival Theatre, Ontario Presents, Black Pledge Canada and Ontario Culture Days, among others.
Excursions will include a walking tour of the historic art venues in downtown Harriston (Minto Art Gallery, Harriston Town Hall Theatre, Crown Harriston Cultural Arts Centre), a found art excursion through Palmerston Lions Heritage Park (railway history, barn quilt trail) and reading session featuring winners of a SPARC playwriting contest.
Both the playwriting and short-film contests are first-time events for a SPARC conference.
While the quality programing is a draw, Duff, who has attended every SPARC symposium since the organization was founded in 2014, said the networking opportunities are a highlight for many.
“I think it’s types of people that you meet and being exposed to different ideas … You’ve got an amazing lineup of speakers and facilitators, but I think it’s in the less formal parts, that you really get the benefit,” he said.
“You’re building partnerships and you’re hearing from experts who are doing the work. It’s not ivory tower … it’s going to be down to earth and fun.”
Goudie agrees the chance to “listen and share” is a key benefit of attending the conference.
“Yes, there are some amazing workshops scheduled, along with great events, and spectacular performances. But there’s also plenty of free time for people to meet up, start or continue a conversation, or just ask each other questions,” said Goudie.
“People at the symposium are always happy to share what they know, especially if they can help someone else. And because we all have something in common, our love for the arts, networking is easy.”
Early-bird registration pricing ends in mid-March, but registration will remain open until mid-May, said Duff.
Registration options range from full-conference attendance to single-day passes. All registration packages include meals and snacks.
In addition, the short film festival and the found art excursion are open to anyone who wants to attend, even if not participating in the symposium.
The event will be held at the Norgan Theatre in Palmerston on the final day of the festival, May 26.
For more information on SPARC and the May symposium visit sparcperformingarts.com.
To register visit reignitingthesparksymposium2024.eventbrite.ca.
