Behind the scenes at Place des Arts

The development of a capital project such as Place des Arts requires several years of dedicated work and a large group of volunteers. Undertaken in the fall of 2010, the project rapidly required a committee structure, each specializing in one aspect of the project.

Two years later, ROCS manages a governance structure of 6 active committees, representing some 30 individuals committed to the project and a community investment totaling over 2,300 hours in the last three years. Here is an overview of the ROCS’ governance structure.

• Steering Committee: formed by the 8 Executive Directors of ROCS’ members; responsible of defining the orientations of Place des Arts and the goals pursued by its members.
• Coordination Committee: formed by the two lead organizations of the project, the Carrefour francophone and the Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario, as well as the ROCS’ Director of Development; manages day-to-day business as well as the global project.
• Liaison Committee: responsible for the outreach and communications strategies; formed by three Board Chairs and staff members, as well as Francophone community leaders.
• Marketing Committee: oversees the ROCS’ collaborative initiatives in audience development, market development and cultural tourism development.
• Cultural Enterprises Committee: oversees the development of the cultural enterprises within Place des Arts; formed by staff members, as well as individuals active in economic development.
• Construction committee: oversees the development of the capital project itself, with the help of experienced building and capital development managers, as well as ROCS members.

This committee structure will continue to develop over the next few years, as the project progresses towards its realization, planned for 2017. If you are interested in contributing to Place des Arts, please contact our Director of Development, Paulette Gagnon, who will be happy to discuss your involvement with us.

Development of a first cultural enterprise – The Bistro

Last September, the ROCS was happy to hear that the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund had allocated the organization a one-year internship! Thank you to the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.

The intern will be responsible for the development of the Bistro’s business plan. This venue will be a welcoming space where one can share a meal or drinks with friends, while enjoying the lively performing arts programming: music, comedy, poetry, spoken word and other forms of entertainment will regularly be featured. The Bistro could very well be a brewpub, with a nano-brewery on site, offering exclusive seasonal beers, under a partnership with the private sector.

In time (2018), the Bistro will be part of Place des Arts, a “Maison de la francophonie” and shared facility for the arts community the ROCS has been developing since 2010. In the shorter term, the ROCS will explore how the Bistro could operate from a temporary location, starting sometime in 2015.

ROCS is looking for a dynamic individual, aged 29 or less, who has business flair and has recently completed postsecondary studies in culinary arts, or hotel & restaurant management, economic development or a related field, interested in the development of a cultural enterprise. Applicants are invited to submit their motivation letter and CV no later than November 8th 2013.

The cultural sector contributes strategically to the downtown’s revitalization

It was a little over a year ago that City Council approved the new Downtown Master Plan. Year 1 of the implementation phase has already delivered tangible results: the Farmers’ Market operated this year from its new site with renewed success, LAL Architecture School opened its doors last September 4th while the Greenway on Elgin Street now has a designed concept, under the collaborative work of Rainbow Routes and the City of Greater Sudbury, to name a few.

In parallel to these accomplishments, five cultural projects are in different phases of their development: the Sudbury Art Gallery is actively planning its relocation in the downtown; the Sudbury Community Foundation is pursuing the conceptualization of the Greater Sudbury Synergy Project, a multipurpose conference centre, the Sudbury Arts Council is pursuing the development of Arts Junction, a work-live centre for artists, the Central Library is developing plans to relocate its facility in the Downtown and finally, the Place des Arts project, which will be undertaking its feasibility study in the coming months. Under the auspices of the City, the five projects’ leaders have recently formed a committee that will facilitate dialogue and collaboration, and allow exploring how these sites can complement each other for the community’s benefit.

This dynamism within our local cultural sector reflects a North-American movement know as “culture-based revitalization”. The presence of arts and culture organizations in neighbourhoods creates the quality of life more and more citizens are looking for, and it nourishes the community’s sense of belonging. The arts & culture venues act as poles, generating traffic for businesses and services present in the area. Many Canadian cities have experienced how the mix of residents, businesses and cultural organizations has transformed neighbourhoods and revived downtowns. Everything indicates that the Greater Sudbury will benefit in the years to come from this trend in cultural and economic development.

ROCS’ briefs

Last August 1st to 3rd, the Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario held its biennial event Art en direct, reuniting its members. The 2013 event, organized in close collaboration with Debajehmujig Storytellers and 4elements Living Arts, invited participating artists to explore the ruins of the Holy Cross Mission, a unique site in Wikwemikong, on Manitoulin Island. Over thirty artists from Northern Ontario and other regions created several works and performances, enjoyed delicious First Nations cuisine and engaged in discussions long into the night around the fire…

Carrefour francophone de Sudbury andThéâtre du Nouvel-Ontario are both offering their season’s subscribers a new loyalty program: card holders receive 10% to 50% discounts at participating businesses. Many thanks to Boo-Bah-Lou, Café Petit Gâteau, Kossa Saveur d’Afrique, Fromagerie Elgin, Laughing Bouddha, La Librairie du Cente and the Townhouse.

Last October 4th, 5-Penny New Music Concertsand La Slague from Carrefour co-presentedErrance, a concert by the Silver Birch String Quartet, as well as the name of their new CD, entirely dedicated to our own Canadian composer Robert Lemay, also Artistic Director of 5-Penny Concerts. The Errance CD can be purchased locally at Café Petit Gâteau, Fromagerie Elgin or Records on Wheels, as well as online at iTunes or Amazon.

The eight ROCS member organizations celebrated their volunteers last August 21st, at their annual Volunteer Appreciation Night. This year’s edition took the form of a fabulous summer meal prepared by staff members, served outside in the yard of Carrefour francophone on a beautiful summer evening (Carrefour resides is the old presbytery of Ste-Anne Parish). The Volunteer Appreciation event recognizes the significant contribution of the hundred or so volunteers that are active every year within the network of ROCS’ members.