The Importance of Visuals

Here's a great article about the use of visuals to promote your performance with some useful sites for uploading photos and videos:

http://junglewebs.blogspot.com/2007/01/arts-marketing-visuals.html

Stay tuned for my own take on the subject in an upcoming Creative Spin post.

Musings of Fire: The Tao of B.I.T.S. (Butts In The Seats)

Musings of Fire: The Tao of B.I.T.S. (Butts In The Seats)

This is a great article which I think really puts Performing Arts Marketing in perspective.

ARTS MARKETING of THEATRE
(or... the Internet - it's not just for porn anymore)
by Marcel Nunis (Theatre J'Nerique)

As a playwright, director and producer in the theatre I was plagued for years with these nightmare questions:

• How do I push the show without "selling out"?
• Will I compromise my "art" by marketing my show aggressively?
• How do I compete with big media for an audience on a budget?
  

Let us first admit to our own sins. Yes, there does exist a snotty "holier than thou" attitude in the world of the arts. We roll our eyes over a marketing budget and campaigns. We protest with excuses like... "That's going to cost too much!" or "This show is brilliant enough to sell itself!" Then we capitulate "within reason" insisting on "traditional arts marketing" (posters, flyers and press releases) and exercise care not to "go overboard and compromise our art" through "aggressive and crass" commercialization. Our show opens and performances are barely selling a third of the house with audience members made up mostly of family, friends and "supporters". Our show eventually closes and we are relieved that it broke even.
Read the whole article here..
http://theatreventoux.blogspot.com/2007/03/tao-of-bits-butts-in-seats.html

Local Arts Notes

A recap of Arts news from various sources taken from the Alliance For Arts & Culture's great newsletter, Synergy.

Arts purse strings loosened ahead of federal budget
CBC.ca
March 16, 2007

Heritage Minister Bev Oda has made a flurry of arts funding announcements in the past week, ahead of Monday's federal budget. On Friday, she had $389,000 for Toronto's Harbourfront Centre and $316,167 for Vancouver record company Mint Records. Read more...

Arts Notes: UBC scene shop runs out of money
Georgia Straight
March 15, 2007
By Jessica Werb

The head of UBC's department of theatre, film, and creative writing has voiced concern over the possible closure of the Great Northern Way scene shop, which is set to run out of funding by June. Read more...

Arts Notes: North Vancouver streamlines cultural affairs office
Georgia Straight
March 15, 2007
By Jessica Werb

Members of North Vancouver's arts community have expressed cautious approval of the March 5 decision to create a bimunicipal office of cultural affairs that will serve both the District of North Vancouver and the City of North Vancouver. Read more...

All ready on the reno front - except the money
Vancouver Courier
March 9, 2007
By Cheryl Rossi

The city of Vancouver says extensive renovations to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre are scheduled to begin in April. But it doesn't yet have the money to pay for them. Read more...

City of Vancouver is right to opt for a balanced budget
The Vancouver Province
Thursday, March 01, 2007

Deciding on the kind of society we wish to live in involves a delicate balancing act. If we direct the bulk of our resources toward our police, for instance, we might expect to benefit from less crime. But if as a result we have to cut funds for libraries, the arts and cultural festivals, we cannot argue that we have improved our overall quality of life. Read more...

Develop creative neighbourhoods using 'inner artist'
Daily Commercial News and Construction Record
February 21, 2007
By Peter Kenter

Developers need to embrace their inner artist to help build communities where creativity can flourish. That was the message to delegates at the recent Canadian Urban Institute conference, The Path to Culture-led Regeneration: Who's Leading the Way? While new condominium and commercial developments often trade on the creativity of the neighbourhoods in which they're built, they can also destroy the creative character of those communities. Read more...

Cultural Human Resources Council Launches New Career Website

The Cultural Human Resources Council (CHRC) has launched Careers in Culture Online in order to provide the knowledge and cover the skills that are required for a career in the arts and culture sector.

The website offers job search strategies, training requirements, job interview tips, interest and aptitude quizzes, examples of cover letters and resumes, instructions on how to create a demo or portfolio, and live testimonials.

The CHRC brings together representatives of arts disciplines and cultural industries in the cultural sector to address the training and career development needs of cultural workers - artists, creators, technical staff, managers and all others engaged professionally in the sector, including the self-employed.

http://www.culturalhrc.ca/careersinculture/default-e.asp

No money for BC Arts Council in Provincial Budget

From the Alliance for the Arts Synergy newsletter

Despite a recommendation from the Provincial Standing Committee on Finance “for a significant increase to the core funding provided to the BC Arts Council to support arts and culture in BC leading up to the Olympic Games,” the provincial budget released on February 20^th offered no new investment for the sector.

The Alliance for Arts and Culture, in conjunction with Arts Future BC, will continue to work to encourage Minister Stan Hagen to take action to secure increased core investment in the BC Arts Council, fostering growth diversity and sustainability, values we share with the provincial government.

Music BC Showcase Opportunity - Act Fast!

We're Looking for 4 Acts:

Music BC is organizing another Showcase at New Music West (May 2-6, 2007)and we are looking for the hottest acts in BC to perform. THIS MEANS YOU!!

Only 4 spots available! Open to all genres! Date & Venue To Be Announced!

How to apply:
1)Click Here to access the online form or copy the following link into your browser:
www.musicbc.org/form_showcase.html
2) Email 1 MP3 file to Nathan@Musicbc.org
3) $10 Application Fee

Deadline for submission is Friday March 30th at 5PM (We told you to act fast!)
If you have any questions, please contact us at 604.873.1914 or Nathan@musicbc.org

Now celebrating its' 16th anniversary, New Music West is the largest and most influential new music festival on the west coast. Past event performers have included Matthew Good, The Flaming Lips, Liz Phair, Nickelback, Run DMC, Gene Simmons, Marilyn Manson, Hot Hot Heat, Sam Roberts, My Morning Jacket, Stars and The Lowest of the Low. May 2-6, 2007
www.newmusicwest.com

Of Interest to Musicians

Of Interest to Musicians from Music BC

MUSIC BC SHOWCASE!
Act Fast! Music BC is seeking 4 acts to perform at our Showcase during New Music West (Date & Venue To-Be-Announced). All Paid members are eligible to apply. We are looking for the HOTTEST, MOST TALENTED acts to represent this province, so why look any further than our members! Open to Paid Music BC members in all genres and at all experience levels.

To Apply: Fill out the online form Here & email 1 MP3 file to Nathan@musicbc.org. Deadline March 30th!

SONG SWAP SUNDAYS
Song Swap Sundays continue! Sessions are lead by Ron Irving and space is limited! Both writing tips and song critiquing are offered. Bring 3 copies of the lyrics, play CD or live. No pre-registration is required, 10.00 at the door, everyone welcome!!
Sunday March 25, 2PM at the Douglas Rec Centre, 206 and Fraser Hwy in Langley. For more info phone 604 514-2865.

ADOPT AN INSTRUMENT!
The Lord Roberts Elementary School Music Program is seeking donations of new or used musical instruments (or cash) to help save their music program! Music BC's charity wing The BC Foundation for Music Assistance will offer a charity tax receipt for the Fair Market Value of any instrument. For more informaion, email Savry@musicbc.org or phone 604.873.1914. All instruments in working condition will be accepted!

Bob D'Eith was recently interviewed on CKNW about the program. Listen Here!

PACIFIC CONTACT MARCH 30 - APRIL 3
Attention Performing Artists! Agents! Presenters! The BC Touring Council offers five days of professional artist showcases, networking and workshops March 30 - April 3, 2007. Including over 50 Artist Showcases, Contact Room/Exhibition Hall, Professional Development Intensive, In-Conference workshops, Meetings, networking and hospitality events and MORE! For full information and registration visit: www.bctouring.org/pacific-contact/index.html
**BONUS** If your group would like to attend Pacific Contact (6 People or more), you are eligible for a 50% Single Day Discount! Email Nathan@musicbc.org for more information

DO A SURVEY, WIN AN IPOD!
We need your feedback! Music BC is currently undertaking a study to assess the effectiveness of our Provincial MITAP (Music Industry Travel Assistance Program) Funding. We are looking for your comments, and as a reward, one lucky member will win an iPod Shuffle! Please note that if you have already been contacted to fill out a survey, please notify us and we will add your name to the contest (1 entry per person). Click Here to take the survey. Questions? Contact Nathan@musicbc.org

JOB OPENING AT MUSIC BC
Music BC is currently seeking a Membership Services Coordinator (Full Time) to start May 1st. Please apply by email only to Savry@musicbc.org. No phone calls please. Click Here for the full job description.

Call for Short fiction Submissions

Ottawa literary publisher Chaudiere Books is seeking submissions by Canadian writers of short fiction of no more than 1,500 to 2,000 words for an upcoming anthology project. Seeking vibrant, engaging works perhaps more language than narrative, but not exclusively. Please send works no later than August 15, 2007 to Chaudiere Books, c/o 858 Somerset Street West, main floor, Ottawa Ontario K1R 6R7 (include s.a.s.e. if you expect work returned) or over email to rob_mclennan@hotmail.com

For more information on Chaudiere Books, check out www.chaudierebooks.com or www.chaudierebooks.blogspot.com

Call for Poetry Submissions

New Call for Submissions

Celebrating the International Poetry Day, the Arabesques Review is now accepting submissions for two upcoming special issues:

Vol 03, Issue 02 Contemporary Women Literature

>>> Submissions Deadline: April 30, 2007

Vol 03, Issue 03 Globalization

>>> Submissions Deadline: June 30, 2007

We would be very honored to read and consider your contribution for these upcoming anthologies

To SUBMIT TO THE ARABESQUES REVIEW

Click here
to check out our submission guidelines.

For more details, see our web site at: http://www.arabesquespress.org/

or email us at: submissions@arabesquespress.org

Blogging Tips

It's nice to know that my artist friends are beginning to take my advice and are starting to blog for themselves.
As you begin to let people know about your blog, undoubtedly you will start to receive emails commenting and complimenting you on your efforts. Encourage them to leave comments on the actual blog. This helps because it makes your blog seem more active to search engines and RSS readers which are on the look out for changes in website content. People are also more likely to return to a site if the content remains fresh and up to date.
Most blogging services like Blogger have an option in the blog settings that activate back-links. You will want to turn this option on because this makes it easy for people who like what you've written to reference it on your blog. It also sends them to that specific article, without bunching it in with all the other posts to come before and after it.
Also, if you want comments, end your posts with questions. People are more likely to respond if they are asked to. Don't they?

How to Market for Theatre

I recently came across a site where this question was posed by the Business Unit Manager at Siemens Energy and Automation:

Does anyone have advice for Marketing for a non-profit community theatre?

As a volunteer consultant on this service project, my team is looking at the marketing strategies of a small community theatre in a neighborhood of Atlanta. We have a lot of creative ideas, and of course typical MBA-style to drive the strategy. But -- As all my experience is in business marketing - any advice on non-proft or arts marketing would be very welcome! This project is part of the CCT "Community Consulting Team" program.

I think this query illustrates that, just because people have a corporate background, it may still be necessary to educate them on the intricacies of marketing in the not-for-profit world. The response received is worth noting too:

I'm assuming for the purposes of this reply that "non-profit community" translates into "very little, if any, marketing/advertising budget."

I'm also assuming that you know:
1) what "call to action" you're driving (i.e., "buy tickets to our event" or "volunteer your time")
2) who you're trying to reach (i.e., you know the demographic of your customers)

I would do anything I can that's free... including making sure you're sending press releases about your events to local media, to leaving business card drop boxes at places where you can have people drop their card, and giveaway one free set of tix. For the other cards, you've got contact info now for a mailing list or email list. But you might try some cold calling of those cards: "Sorry you didn't win, but we can offer at half off" or something like that.

Also, make sure every one who comes to one of your events has a reason to come back and bring someone with them... these are people who already know about you and your events and are the best source of bringing new customers back with them. Give them some incentive to come back, and some incentive to bring a friend.

If this doesn't help, read anything by Seth Godin (he has free e-books on the web called "Knock Knock") and also try reading "Shameless marketing for brazen hussies."

-Adeena

Links:

• http://cutelittlestore.net

For responses to this question go here: http://www.linkedin.com/answers/marketing-sales/business-development/MAR_BDV/28613-1458915

Great News For Coquitlam Artists!

My Arts Marketing Crash Course on May 5 at Form & Forum has just gotten even more affordable. We're knocking $5 off the registration price, which means you get a bunch of great shoestring marketing tips and a copy of my book Marketing, Publicity and Corporate Fundraising for Small Enterprise for just $25!

Register by calling this no. 604.464.0248
or emailing
info@formandforum.ca
Form and Forum Sculpture Company http://www.formandforum.ca/
90-2710 Barnett Hwy, Coquitlam, (Located across the highway from Anducci’s, Milestones and Subway)

For complete course info, follow this link...

Corporate art idea

Making a Passion into a Business Venture

Natural Mandala
Originally uploaded by cindymreese.

Epicorp tenant Darryl Butler is about to add Mandala Maker to his diverse repertoire of creative talents.

Darryl, who has assisted numerous Epicorp businesses develop their corporate identities and websites, decided last year to embark on turning his passion for mandalas into a serious business sideline. The inspiration came while working on the website of fellow Epicorp tenant, arts marketing expert Wendy Shanley, of KIKU ARTs.

Darryl, the mastermind behind Itchybrain Productions, discovered from his discussions with Wendy that there is a demand for artists producing corporate art. That gave him an incentive to push forward with his "hobby" knowing that someone else would take care of promoting, exhibiting and selling his unique artworks.

Read the full article here...

Patron Technology Blog

Came across this cool blog by Gene Carr that I thought people might find interesting.

http://patrontechnology.typepad.com/

Events, Workshops and Deadlines from BC Writer's Federation

SAW Reading & Fundraiser
Central regional representative Kay McCracken is organizing a fundraising event for SAW (the
Shuswap Association of Writers) featuring Garry Gottfriedson, Michael Blackstock, Jeff More,
Alex Forbes, Karen Bissenden, John Vivian, Howard Brown, Marilyn McAllister, Maureen Egan,
Patsy Alford, Lois Higgins and Kay McCracken on Saturday, April 21, 7 to 10 pm. at the Art
Gallery in Salmon Arm. Live music by the Dust Puppets. Refreshments. Book sales. Door prizes.
Admission: $10 for SAW members, $15 for non-members, $5 for students.

The Sidney Reading Series
Long-time Fed members Pauline Holdstock and M.A.C. Farrant hare resurrected their popular
reading series which ran from 1994 to 2001. The new Sidney Reading Series is held each month
at the Red Brick Cafe, 2423 Beacon Avenue, Sidney, and includes musical guests and book draws.
The next event takes place on Friday, March 16, 7:30 pm. and will feature Arthur Black and Susan
Juby. Admission is $3. More info: 250-656-4446. Fall 2007 presenters include Derek Lundy, Wade
Compton, Caroline Adderson, John Gould, bill bissett, Carla Funk & Wendy Morton.

The RAW Exchange
Thursday, March 29, 7:30 pm at the Vancouver Public Library, Peter Kaye Room.
M.A.C. Farrant (The Breakdown So Far), Trevor Carolan (The Pillowbook of Dr. Jazz) and
Steven Price (Anatomy of Keys) will read from their books and participate in a panel discussion
on "Writing in Unreaderly Times: Finding Fresh Topics" with Moderator Rodney Clarke. Free
admission.

**************************

Federation Workshops & Presentations
Pre-registration is required. Limited seating. To register,
contact the Fed office at 604-683-2057 or email bcwriters@shaw.ca
Registration Deadline: Saturday, March 3.

A Model for Testing When a Poem is Finished
March 10, 1 to 5 pm.
Alliance for Arts & Culture, 938 Howe Street, Vancouver
Instructor: Betsy Warland
Cost: $50 for Fed members, $75 for non-members
How do you know if your poem or poetry collection is ready for submission? Betsy Warland,
the Director of The Writer's Studio at SFU, will present a model for assessing when a poem
is finished. Several exploratory exercises will be applied to your poem(s) to assist you in
determining when the poem is finished (on all levels) and ready to be submitted to journals,
competitions, or -- if you have a manuscript in progress -- when it is ready to include in your
manuscript. Selected "test" poems will be taken through five exercises: the first two exercises
will be audio-based, one done without having a copy of one another's poem to refer to and
one done with a copy of the poem to check as we hear the poet read it. The third exercise
will be assessing the poem for what might be missing (from a punctuation mark to significant
content). The fourth exercise will assess the poem for where we might need less. The fifth
will check the poem for general presentation. Depending on the size of the group, some of
these exercises may be done in the group and some may be done in smaller groups or in pairs.

About the instructor
Betsy Warland is the author of ten books and one of Canada's leading experimental, feminist
writers. She is the Director of The Writer's Studio at SFU's Writing and Publishing program
and has taught a variety of courses incuding A Poet's First Book and Realizing Your Manuscript.


Framing, Voice, and Colouring: Key Skills in Creative NonFiction
Saturday, May 12, 10 to 3 pm.
Room 141, Okanagan College, Salmon Arm Campus
Instructor: Harold Rhenisch
Cost: $50 for Fed members, $75 for non-members.


In this hands-on workshop, you will learn three key techniques for exploiting some of the genre's
key strengths: how to frame inserted materials; how to bridge material, foreshadow, and develop
themes through colouring; and how to develop and extend voice. Feel free to bring a work in
progress (not mandatory).

Harold Rhenisch is the author of twenty books, including four books of creative nonfiction, most
recently the humorous bird watching memoir Winging Home, and The Wolves at Evelyn, a
reassessment of British Columbia's place in twentieth century history. He is the winner of the
Critic's Desk Award, the B.C. & Yukon Newspaper Association's Arts & Culture Writing award, and
the Malahat Review Long Poem Prize. He will be teaching memoir this summer at the Victoria School
of Writing.

**************************

SFU Summer Publishing Workshops
The 2007 schedule for the SFU Summer Publishing Workshops is now online www.sfu.ca/pubworks.
With more than 35 workshops in all areas of book and magazine publishing SFU is mounting the
largest array of workshops yet. The SFU Summer Publishing Workshops are nationally recognized as
the top professional development program in publishing in Canada and each year enjoys increased
enrollment and demand. Application and registration forms can be downloaded directly from the
site. Please note that the financial assistance opportunities are limited and are distributed on a first
come, first serve basis. More than 35 workshops in all aspects of publishing in books, magazines
and new media are being offered this year. The Summer Publishing Workshops at SFU in Vancouver
focus on four topic areas-book publishing, magazine publishing, editing, and design. The workshops
are developed in association with Canada's foremost publishing professionals.

Douglas College Summer Institute in Historical Fiction
Immerse yourself in your passion for historical fiction this summer at Douglas College. Start the day
with English 1106, Studies in Fiction, emphasizing historical novels and short stories, and move onto
Creative Writing 1105, Introduction to Historical Fiction Writing. A cohort of 21 students will study
models of historical fiction, then practice writing it themselves. Students may draw inspiration from
any historical period they wish. The day-long Institute will include opportunities for lunch time
socials, and special events including featured speakers and field trips. Instructors: Jill Maclachlan,
English; Andrea Macperson (When She was Electric, and Beyond the Blue), Creative Writing.
Fridays, May 11 to August 3
English 1106, 8:30-11:30AM
Lunch
CRWR 1105, 12:30-3:30PM
NB: Students must register separately for both classes. www.douglas.bc.ca
Contact Mary Burns, Chair, Creative Writing, at 604-527-5289


**************************

subTerrain
Deadline: March 15, 2007
www.subterrain.ca
Theme Issue #47 (Summer/Fall 07): Sports. Be sure to identify on the envelope the theme issue
for which you�re submitting. Fiction: 2,000-3,000 words. Creative nonfiction: to 4,000 words. No
unsolicited poetry, unless it is specifically related to a theme issue. No electronic submissions, and
you MUST include a self-addressed envelope if you want your work to be considered. Send both
general and theme-related submissions to: P.O. Box 3008, MPO Vancouver, BC V6B 3X5.


The Okanagan Short Story Contest
http://www.okstorycontest.org/
Deadline: March 16, 2007
All residents of the Southern Interior of British Columbia are eligible to enter the Okanagan Short
Story contest this year. Prizes are $500 for first prize, $200 for second and $100 for third, with
publication in a limited edition chapbook. The contest is sponsored by the University of British
Columbia Okanagan, Okanagan College, CBC Radio One Kelowna and the Central Okanagan
Foundation. For rules and guidelines, as well as information about the contest, see the website.

Borderlines Poetry and Flash Fiction Contest
Deadline: March 31, 2007
www.ascentaspirations.ca/borderlines.htm
Ascent Aspirations Magazine seeks poetry and flash fiction for its fourth anthology, Borderlines,
to be published in Fall 2007. Prizes include cash and publication. Contest fee for poetry is $10 for
three poems. Contest fee for flash fiction is $10 per piece of flash fiction. Multiple entries will be
accepted. Full details on the website or email publisher David Fraser at ascentaspirations@shaw.ca

Event Magazine
Deadline for entries: Postmarked by April 16, 2007.
Three winners will each receive $500 plus payment for publication in Event 36/3. Other manuscripts
may be published. Final Judge: TBA. Writers are invited to submit manuscripts exploring the creative
non-fiction form. Note: Previously published material, or material accepted elsewhere for
publication, cannot be considered. Maximum entry length is 5000 words, typed, double-spaced.
The writer should not be identified on the entry. Include a separate cover sheet with the writer's
name, address, phone number/email, and the title(s) of the story (stories) enclosed. Include a SASE
(Canadian postage / IRCs / US$1). Douglas College employees are not eligible to enter.
Entry fee: Multiple entries are allowed, however, each entry must be accompanied by a $29.95
entry fee (includes GST and a one-year subscription; make cheque or international money order
payable to Event). Those already subscribing will receive a one-year extension. American and
overseas entrants please pay in US dollars.

Send entries to:
EVENT
The Douglas College Review
PO Box 2503, New Westminster, BC
Canada V3L 5B2
Phone: 604-527-5293 Fax: 604-527-5095
Email: event@douglas.bc.ca


The Writers' Union of Canada presents the Writing for Children Competition
Deadline: April 24, 2007
$1,500 Prize
Entries of the winner and finalists will be submitted to three publishers of children's books. Canadian
citizens or landed immigrants who have not been published (in any genre) in book format are eligible
for entry. Entrants must not have a contract with a book publisher. Eligible entries will be in
English, up to 1,500 words, and not previously published in any format. The deadline is April 24,
2007 and the entry fee is $15. For more information visit www.writersunion.ca

The Seven Wonders of Mernac Writing Contest
The Legends of Mernac, an online inter-active community for High Fantasy writers & artists, is
holding another fantastic writing contest with a grand prize of $500 US. It's free to enter. For
contest rules and additional details, email the Fed office and I'll forward the freaky-looking email
announcement to you.

NAUGHTY BITS
The First Annual Victoria Erotica Festival Story Contest
Deadline: Friday April 20, 2007.
www.victoriaeroticafestival.com
FREE to enter! Send us a scintillating story or prose poem--a fetish fantasy, a do-me dream,
some titillating anecdote, perhaps a snippet of overheard intimate conversation, shopping lists
for the sex shop, lists of things to pack for a dirty weekend, what you did on the dirty weekend,
a furtive feel-up or a very public coming of age. Entries will be judged on their heat-and-moisture-
inducing merit alone by Lynne Van Luven , writer, columnist, reviewer, editor and UVic Professor,
and an equally discerning male judge yet to be disclosed. 300 words maximum. Authors must be at
least 18 years old. Send typed entries, along with your name, address and phone number ON A
SEPARATE SHEET to
Naughty Bits
P.O. Box 30034 - 3989 Quadra St.
Victoria BC V8X 5E1

City of Vancouver Announces Inaugural Poet Laureate

George McWhirter, Professor Emeritus of UBC’s Creative Writing Program, is named the City of Vancouver’s Inaugural Poet Laureate. Mayor Sam Sullivan will introduce McWhirter to Vancouver City Council on Tuesday March 13th.

During his honourary two-year term, McWhirter will act as a champion for poetry, language and the arts, and create a unique artistic legacy through public readings and civic interactions. With plans to establish a civic web page for poetry and an anthology of local poets, his mandate is to raise the status of poetry in the everyday consciousness of Vancouverites.

A Vancouver resident since 1968, George McWhirter was born in Belfast where he received his B.A. from Queen's University. His extensive teaching experience has taken him from Kilkeel, Bangor, County Down to the University of Barcelona's Escuela de Idiomas to Port Alberni and finally UBC where he was Head of the UBC Creative Writing Department from 1983 until 1993 and where he earned a Killam Prize for teaching. An author of six books of poetry, two poetic works in translation, five short stories and three novels, McWhirter has been the Advisory Editor for PRISM international magazine and has edited several anthologies.

McWhirter will receive an annual stipend of $5,000 which is funded by a $100,000 donation by Dr. Yosef Wosk. Dr. Wosk’s donation, matched by the BC Arts Renaissance Fund and held in trust by the Vancouver Foundation, ensures a sustainable poet laureate position in the City of Vancouver.

The Poet Laureate was chosen by an independent assessment committee from the literary/poetry community that included ABPBC Executive Director Margaret Reynolds; City of Victoria’s Poet Laureate Carla Funk, poet and non-fiction author Gary Geddes and was supported by representatives from the Vancouver International Writers Festival, Vancouver Public Library and the Office of Cultural Affairs, part of the City of Vancouver Cultural Services Division.

Arts Marketing Crash Course

Course Date: May 5 6-8pm

Want to raise your public profile sell more art?

In this two hour intensive workshop, we’ll look at several simple, proven ways to get your name out there and bring customers to you. Whether you are a writer, painter, sculptor, potter or musician, here’s your chance to learn how to creatively stretch your meagre advertising budget and hit your target audience all at the same time!

We’ll look at:

• Press releases and media relations
• Graphic design essentials
• Internet tools
• Shoestring marketing tips

Admission includes a copy of Steven R. Duncan’s Marketing, Publicity and Corporate Fundraising for Small Enterprise.

Form and Forum Sculpture Company http://www.formandforum.ca

90-2710 Barnett Hwy, Coquitlam, (Located across the highway from Anducci’s, Milestones and Subway)

Cost: $30

To current and Former Ottawa residents, Workers and Students:

March 15, 2007 is the deadline to submit poetry for the April issue
of Bywords.ca.

**Please consult the guidelines on www.bywords.ca** then send poems
to submissions@bywords.ca.

Poems published on bywords.ca between September, 2006 and August,
2007 will be considered for the 2007 John Newlove Poetry Award. This
year's judge is George Elliott Clarke.

Thanks to everyone who's submitted poems!

For poetry, literary events, news, links and hard-to-find poetry
collections and chapbooks by Ottawa writers, please go to the on line
store at www.bywords.ca .

Amanda Earl
Managing Editor
www.bywords.ca
PO Box 937
Station B
Ottawa,On
K1P 5P9

Last Chance for Candidates for a New Literary Award

"The Voice Electric / La Voix électrique"

The Voice Electric award was created in 2006 by two Montreal- based organizations: Les Filles électriques and Wired on Words Productions. The award is given for high achievement by a Canadian performance poet or spoken word artist during the course of his or her career.

With a value of $2000.00, the prize will be awarded annually to French and English-language artists in alternate years. Artists from Canadian First Nations who present their work in their own language are eligible at any time. For the first two years, the Award is being sponsored by a private donor.

The Voice Electric / La Voix électrique award will recognize literature by an artist who creates and performs his or her own work on stage. It will celebrate the artist´s creative path and contributions to the development of the discipline. The Selection Committee-working under the direction of D. Kimm, Executive and Artistic Director of Les Filles électriques, and Ian Ferrier, co- founder and Director of Wired on Words-will evaluate candidates based on factors such as originality in the creative process, mastery of the genre, innovation, the use of new technologies, contributions to the community, the quality of the writing, and openness to diverse voices.

Current Status of the Prize

Our initial desire was to award this prize during the course of the 2007 Festivale Voix d´Ameriques, but this turned out to be a bit too ambitious. We feel have not reached all the candidates we´d like to see in this competition, and for this reason we are extending the deadline to the 7th of March 2007 and attempting to reach all qualified candidates across the country. The prize will be awarded on World Poetry Day, the 21st of March 2007 during a cinq-à-sept (5-7PM event) at the Casa del Popolo in Montreal.

Spoken word artists interested in applying for the inaugural award should submit a covering letter, curriculum vitae, press clippings, audio and visual clips, and letters of reference from members of the community. The letter and portfolio should be sent to the offices of Les Filles électriques, 5143 boulevard St-Laurent, Montréal, H2T 1R9. For further information: (514) 495-1515.

Les Filles électriques is a non-profit organization whose mandate is to create, distribute and archive multidisciplinary works and events in oral, written and electronic literature.

Wired on Words is a recording label specializing in the distribution of literature in performance. It also organizes the monthly Words & Music evenings at the Casa del Popolo.

For further information:
Les Filles électriques / (514) 495-1515 / d.kimm@electriques.ca

from the Words&Music label
Wired on Words
http://wiredonwords.com