Vision - sarasvati.ca Board Recruitment Brochure.pdf · share excerpts from works in progress with...
Transcript of Vision - sarasvati.ca Board Recruitment Brochure.pdf · share excerpts from works in progress with...
A Guide for Potential Board Members
Our goal is to continuously expand and deepen our board to include committed leaders from the
business and financial communities, as well as communications, social justice and
education. We believe that a thoughtful, dynamic, challenging and active board is central to our
future growth and will contribute to the long-term, sustainable vision we have for the company.
We are fortunate to have the ongoing support of our current board members, and to have
benefited from prior wonderful board members throughout our history. Their dedication and
varied talents have helped Sarasvàti to grow thus far.
Recruitment
Our Identity
Sarasvàti is the Indic goddess of inspiration and great change.
Sarasvàti Productions embodies the spirit of our namesake with a
desire to inspire artists and audiences through the use of theatre. Saras-
vàti is a place where artists can develop and showcase their skills, while
celebrating their creativity and pushing the boundaries of the theatrical
medium. In connecting with community groups,
Sarasvàti insists upon theatre that is fulfilling for both participants and
audiences alike. Our company’s vision is one of inclusion, where artists
and audiences of all backgrounds come together to experience what it
means to be human.
Vision Transformative Theatre Theatre that challenges artists, audiences and society alike, with the aim of increasing hu-
man understanding and encouraging positive change in the community.
Sarasvàti Productions is an inspiring success story; a grass-roots company that has shown
exciting growth due to a passion for the arts and a strong sense of social responsibility.
Sarasvàti Productions believes that theatre is powerful, imaginative, energizing, inspiring, life-
affirming, alive and magical; that it resonates beyond a conscious level, generating community-
building processes and fulfilling our need as human beings to connect with one another.
Board of Directors
Hope received her BFA in acting at the University of Saskatchewan. In 1996, Hope
received a full scholarship and a research award to complete her MFA in theatre
directing at the University of Victoria. The following year was spent completing an
intensive, multi-media apprenticeship in acting at ARTTS International in England.
From 1997-2000 Hope worked in Toronto, first as an associate of Rare Gem
Productions then as Director of the Muki Bahm School for the Arts.
Since arriving in Winnipeg in 2000, Hope has continued to work as an actor, director
and playwright. Hope has taught theatre at Mount Allison University, Brandon
University, the University of Manitoba, Prairie Theatre Exchange and is currently
teaching at the University of Winnipeg. In 2006 Hope was awarded the YMCA/
YWCA Woman of Distinction Award for Arts & Culture. She is also the current
Past-President of the Playwrights Guild of Canada.
Leadership Hope McIntyre, Artistic Director
PRESIDENT– ROSE-ANNE HARDER (Training Coordinator, Film Training Manitoba) Rose-Anne graduated from the
University of Manitoba’s theatre program and studied with the Manitoba Arts and Cultural Management program.
Rose-Anne is also a scenic artist and has worked at PTE and MTC.
PAST PRESIDENT– CHERYL SOLUK (Business Analyst, Competitiveness, Training and Trade; Labour Market Skills
Division) Cheryl is the Manitoba Representative for Urban Rural Mission – Canada, a culturally diverse network of
community organizers. Cheryl has also performed with many local companies, and has received a MMPIA
Blizzard Award for film narration.
TREASURER– DAWN BOURBONNAIS (Communications Coordinator, Film Training Manitoba)
Dawn is a graduate of Red River College's Creative Communications program. She has worked for Manitoba
Theatre for Young People and spent four years at Manitoba Music (formerly MARIA). She has worked for the
Winnipeg Jazz Festival for over five years and has also managed volunteers for the 2005 Juno Awards, the
Western Canadian Music Awards and the Canadian Country Music Awards.
SECRETARY– PATRICK McCAULEY (Volunteer Resources Assistant, Seven Oaks Hospital)
Patrick has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Victoria and has applied his peer counselling
skills in work with several organizations, the latest being Teen Touch. He also has experience working with
people with developmental disabilities.
DIRECTORS
ANDREA GEARY (Communications/Membership Coordinator, The Manitoba Society of Seniors)
Andrea has worked in communications for 25 years; first as a reporter/editor then in public relations. She has
worked in internal and external communications for the Canadian Wheat Board, Manitoba Public Insurance and
the Canadian Grain Commission.
SIMON METHOT (Business student, Collège universitaire Saint-Boniface ) Simon brings a strong background in
business management and mandate driven program conceptualisation, development and execution with a focus
on youth integration. He has been working with Manitoba’s bilingual communities and brings to the table an
important network with Franco Manitobans. He has worked with the Economic Development Council for Mani-
toba Bilingual Municipalities, Junior Achievement of Manitoba, Winnipeg Harvest, N.E.E.D.S. and Jazz Winnipeg.
NOREEN MIAN (Program Manager, Volunteer Manitoba) Through her work, Noreen has traveled to remote corners
of the province promoting volunteerism and teaching young people how to create community projects. She
holds a BA in Art History from McGill University and also works as a freelance writer.
JANET TAYLOR (Retired Educator) An educator for 35 years, Janet received her Pre-masters and Post
Baccalaureate of Education from the University of Manitoba. She was a classroom and resource teacher, a school
principal and an instructor in the Faculty of Education.
FemFest: Winnipeg’s Annual Festival of Plays by Women for Everyone FemFest: Sarasvàti’s Productions’ signature festival has been alive and kicking
since 2003! The goal of FemFest is to showcase women theatre artists and
provide them with the opportunity to develop their work.
In its history, FemFest has supported dozens of women theatre artists, premiered twenty new
plays, presented work that inspired important dialogue on issues of relevance to women, and
brought in artists who have provided development opportunities to local emerging artists and
the community at large.
What we do
Currently still in the developmental stage,
EDEN is an exciting interdisciplinary theatre
experience exploring truth and justice
through three generations of characters in a
futuristic dystopia.
The truth can only remain buried for so long...
It has a habit of coming back to haunt us.
International Women’s Week Cabaret Features monologues from playwrights across
Canada. The goal is to provide a broad range
of voices, issues and styles that relate to
women’s experiences.
In the fall of 2008, Sarasvàti toured Ripple
Effect across Manitoba, exploring the link
between violence on a personal level with
larger, more global violence. Over 3,000
students saw the show and participated in
post-show talk backs concerning bullying and
school violence.
EDEN Ripple Effect
“FemFest not only celebrates plays by women, but artistic endeavours well
beyond the parameters of theatre.” Uptown Magazine, 2008
The concept of Sarasvàti Productions began in 1996. It was founded in Winnipeg in October
2000 with full charitable status received in May 2003. Some of our projects include:
- REVISIONING, three women travel to Canada on a convict ship from England. (1999)
- HUNGER, one woman's struggle against political and emotional turmoil. (2001)
- FIRE VISIONS, performances of poems by Bertolt Brecht. (2002)
- YOU WHORE! a collective creation piece exploring women in the virtual age. (2003)
- JILL’S WAR, based on the true story of a children’s rights worker in Iraq. (2004)
- THE IMPROMPTU OF OUTREMONT by Michael Tremblay. (2005)
Current projects and recent tours
Previous work
One Night Stand A play reading event hosted by Sarasvàti
Productions, supports new play
development. Playwrights get the chance to
share excerpts from works in progress with a
supportive audience.
Balanced steps for future growth Sarasvàti Productions’ Bold Steps in Balance: A Five Year Strategic and Implementation Plan
(May 2006) was written by Toronto-based Arts Consultant Michael Du Maresq. After extensive
consultation with Artistic Director Hope McIntyre, diverse representatives from the local
community, associated artists and the Board of Directors; Mr. Du Maresq produced a
comprehensive study of where we have been and where we want to go.
Our next step in a larger capacity building process was a Revenue Generation Strategy
facilitated by consultants Mayer Marketing Inc in 2007/2008. Most recently, Sarasvàti
Productions has undertaken the creation of an Marketing and Audience Development Strategy
with consultant Louise Stevens of ArtsMarket Inc. This focus on planning reinforces our vision
and mission, as well as increasing Sarasvàti
Productions ability to undertake larger projects,
serve a greater scope of patrons and community
groups while assuring long-term stability.
This work allowed us to attract a major donor in
2007 and establish an endowment fund through
the Winnipeg Foundation. This provides us with an
on-going, stable source of revenue.
Mentorship opportunities After ten years of working with emerging artists, we are excited to be developing a formal
mentorship program in 2009/2010.
“Performers are welcomed and nurtured with trust which makes for a very
enjoyable experience. The work stays with you for a long time and the
community benefits from the thought-provoking images.” Jane Burpee, International Women’s Week Performer
Sarasvàti Productions has developed ongoing
relationships with diverse community groups in an
effort to strengthen dialogue, offer outreach, invite
new audiences and promote understanding.
Relationships
“Many of the students at my school have witnessed or been victims of
violence and so after the play, the ideas that were raised about how
violence begets violence were powerful. They were able to see these
connections in Ripple Effect as well as in their own school
and community at large.” Angela Robbie (St. John’s High School) after a touring performance of Ripple Effect
Past Funders Canada Council for the Arts
Manitoba Arts Council
Toronto Arts Council
Winnipeg Arts Council
Manitoba Ministry of Culture, Heritage and Tourism
Department of Canadian Heritage
Service Canada (HRSDC)
Status of Women Canada
Manitoba Community Services Council
The Marjorie Young Bell Music and Fine Arts Fund
Leadership Mount Allison
The Gail Asper Family Foundation
Richardson Foundation
Siobhan Richardson Foundation
Thomas Sill Foundation
The Winnipeg Foundation
The Weinberg Foundation
Numerous private and small business donors
Past Sponsors Q-94, CTV, CKUW, Uptown Magazine, UMFM,
Winnipeg Free Press, Film Training Manitoba
and HOT 103
Partners/Supporters Alliance Française
Amnesty International
Brandon YWCA Women’s Shelter
CancerCare Manitoba
Eating Disorders Association of Manitoba
Elizabeth Fry Society of Manitoba
Klinic Women’s Health Clinic
Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters
Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council Inc.
Manitoba Theatre Centre Manitoba Theatre for Young People
Prairie Theatre Exchange
RAY (Resource Assistance for Youth)
RespectEd (Canadian Red Cross)
Sage House
The Pas Committee for Women in Crisis
TERF (Transition, Education & Resources for Females)
University of Manitoba
University of Winnipeg
Why should you get involved? Sarasvàti Productions presents a unique and valuable opportunity for anyone wanting to
volunteer their efforts in the cultural and social sectors. We offer the combined reward of
contributing to artistic achievement while acting of behalf of current social and community
issues. Your affiliation as a board member or volunteer with our company can offer you a
creative outlet and enable you to make a difference in your community and in the world around
us. This is a desire many of us share but don’t know how to bring it to life.
Sarasvàti Productions celebrates life through the exploration of invigorating theatrical forms and
stories which humor and challenge us, thrill us and connect to our own essentially artistic inner
lives. As a Sarasvàti Productions’ board member, you can play a vital role in the
governance and management of the organization, with responsibilities including:
Leadership and guidance through attending monthly Board meetings;
Providing advice, guidance and ideas to the Artistic Director;
Supporting the general activities of the company, this may include attending
productions, getting involved with specific projects, or building visibility and partnerships;
Helping recruit others to support and follow Sarasvàti Productions;
Participating in fundraising for the organization;
Ensuring that we reach our goals, evaluate our progress and set new targets.
Does our purpose match your interests?
The diverse nature of our productions means
that we delve deeply into themes that are
important to many people. The inclusive
nature of our work sets us apart. We have
tackled projects dealing with bullying, street
youth, racism, violence against women and
aging, in productions meant to stimulate
dialogue and build community awareness.
Are we producing artistic work considered valid and relevant by our peers?
Many of Winnipeg’s most sought after artists have chosen to work with Sarasvàti due to the
multi-disciplinary nature of our work and unique process-based methods we employ. Our artistic
excellence has been awarded by arts funders with regular grant contributions over our eleven
year history.
Are we well-known in the community and do we address an existing need?
Sarasvàti Productions is known by theatre artists and community groups alike. As the only
Winnipeg theatre company with a mission to serve social change, we have managed to use our
art to positively impact the lives of thousands of individuals over the years. Through ongoing
partnerships we provide a voice to the disenfranchised. Through community outreach we have
brought theatre to communities lacking positive outlets for expression, including corrections
centres, women’s shelters and high schools.
“Ground-breaking local and international artists come together to celebrate
emerging talent and honour established veterans of theatre.” Where Magazine, 2008
CONTACT US AT:
242 Cathedral Avenue
Winnipeg, MB
R2W 0X3
(204) 586-2236
www.sarasvati.ca
Join Us! Sarasvàti Productions offers board members and
volunteers the combined reward of supporting and
guiding artistic achievement while acting on behalf
of current social and community issues.
We do active outreach, donate to diverse
community groups, and host post-show events that
provide opportunities for dialogue. We form
collaborative partnerships with social agencies and
other nonprofit organizations to jointly address
pressing issues and illuminate solutions.
We encourage you to contact us if you would
like to join the Board of this exciting
organization or to become a volunteer and support
us in ways that suit your talents.