At ACI Manitoba, we can give you advice on where to get the information you need for whatever project you're working on.  Some useful resources, toolkits, and research sites are listed here but you can always contact us for more specific information.

Members of ACI Manitoba are welcome to visit our resource library at 300-245 McDermot Avenue during our business hours, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

Arts Advocacy

• The Distinct Role of Artist-Run Centres in the Canadian Visual Arts Ecology (2011) - Study
  This study seeks to document the role and place of Artist-Run Centres (ARCs) in the larger ecology of the Visual Arts today, understand the disparity of roles and mandates of ARCs.
• Arts and Culture in the Metropolis: Strategies for Sustainability (2007) - Study
  This study examines the size and structure of the arts sector and systems of support in major metropolitan areas and identifies strategies for sustainability.
• Creative Capital Gains: An Action Plan for Toronto (2011) - Report
  This report presents six overarching recommendations with 33 specific action items designed to strengthen Toronto’s economy and enhance its competitive advantage on the world stage.
• The Situation and Needs of Canadian Senior Artists (2010) - Report
  Based on the survey and focus group sessions, the report on Canadian senior artists examines the circumstances of professional artists in the areas of finances, career, housing, health and isolation.
• Fusing Arts, Culture and Social Change: High Impact Strategies for Philanthropy (2011) - Report
  Outlines compelling demographic, aesthetic and economic reasons for foundations to rethink their grantmaking practices to stay current with changes in the cultural sector and to continue to be relevant to the evolving needs of our communities. 
• Arts Vote Toolkits from the Canadian Arts Coalition
  Links to help you lobby for increased support for the arts.
• Canadian Arts Coalition
  Lobbies for increased support of the arts through the Canada Council for the Arts and the Department of Canadian Heritage.
• The Council for Business for the Arts Canada
  Fosters and promotes business leadership in the arts, facilitates funding relationships, and connects businesses to the arts for funding, volunteering, and workshops.
• Alliance for Arts & Culture
  Advocates for the arts and culture sector by monitoring public policy, synthesizing issues, and representing and providing access to the interests of artists in the Vancouver area.
• Saskatchewan Arts Alliance
  Represents Saskatchewan artists' interests to government, business and the public; unites the arts community by promoting collaboration, and by providing information on issues affecting the sector.
• Americans for the Arts
  Provides reports on policy & advocacy, extensive research into American arts issues, and professional development.
• Creative and Cultural Skills UK
  Educates and connects industry, education, and government to further the skills and careers of Craft, Cultural Heritage, Design, Literature, Music, Performing, and Visual Arts practitioners.
• European Cultural Foundation
  Shares and connects knowledge across the European cultural sector, and campaigns for the arts on all levels of political decision-making.
• Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA)
  Uses intellect, innovation and social activism to try to create a better society.
• International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA)
  Works to improve the capacity and effectiveness of government arts funding agencies to benefit society through networking, advocacy and research.
• Harold Buchwald Luncheon Speech: Change, Transformation and Renewal in the Arts
  A speech by Ben Cameron - November 21, 2012 in Winnipeg

Social Impact of the Arts

• The Value of Presenting: A Study of Arts Presentation in Canada (2012) - Report
  An enquiry into the value and benefits of performing arts presentation, to define the role of the presenter and to raise awareness about the role of performing arts.
• Bigger Thinking for Smaller Cities: How Arts and Culture can Tackle Economic, Social, and Democratic Engagement Challenges in Smaller Cities (2010) - Report
  Asserts that a cost effective response to the economic, social and democratic challenges smaller cities face requires that we support policies and practices that add value in numerous ways. It proposes an approach in which a network of arts and culture projects in smaller cities can be used to maximise economic, social and democratic returns. 
• Cultural Industries "Community of Interest" Consultation: Interim Summary (2011) - Report
  This interim summary of key findings has been gleaned from the consultation survey that has been conducted to date in Saskatchewan.
• Culture and Local Governance: "Culture and Sustainable Communities" - Journal
  A peer-reviewed, online, open-access journal that emphasizes research diffusion and communication. CLG offers a space for dialogue across disciplinary boundaries, between established and emerging scholars, and between academics and practitioners.
• Research into Action: Pathways to New Opportunities - Report
  Offers specific insights into how the Philadelphia region's diverse population engages with the arts. The report also provides strategies for cultural organizations looking to build stronger audience connections.
• International measurement of the economic and social importance of culture (2006) - Report
  This OECD project will provide an approach to measuring the economic and social importance of culture and will deliver initial quantitative estimates of these measures. The project will also explore the linkages between culture and well-being. 
• Arts Council England: The impact of the arts: some research evidence (2004) - Report
  Draws together research evidence on the impact of the arts on employment, education, health, criminal justice and regeneration. It presents findings on the impact of the arts on individuals and on communities. 
• Ontario Arts Council: Social Impacts of the Arts Research
  Compiled research on the importance and effects of arts and culture.
• Activstarted
  An international dialogue about the teaching and practice of activist art.
• Cultural Human Resources Council Forum
  Video highlights from the 2012 HR forum on the impact of arts in education.

Economic Impact of the Arts

• Creative Trust's Audience Engagement: Results by Discipline - Survey
  Surveys, reports, and statistics on audiences and marketing in the arts.
• Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Great Jobs Agenda: Pre-Budget Submission (2011) - Report
  This is the sixth year the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce has called for a Great Jobs Agenda. This submission highlights a three-pronged approach to enhancing great jobs in Manitoba including producing and publishing annual sectoral reports, embarking on strategic tax relief, and expanding your innovation agenda to include creativity.
• Measuring the Value of the Arts (2011) - Study
  Looks at the value of the arts in three ways: time spent on arts activities; organizational revenue and expenses; and direct consumer spending in the United States.
• Money for Nothing: The Rising Cost of Rehearsal Space in Toronto (2011) - Report
  Examines how increases in land value and the digital epoch have contributed to the displacement of independent Torontonian musicians.
• Performing Arts' Finances, Attendance, Participation: Statistics Canada (2008) - Survey
  Operating expenses for the performing arts industry, operating revenues for theatre companies, musical groups and artists, dance companies, circuses, ice skating shows, and margins of for-profit and not-for-profit companies.
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): International measurement of the economic and social importance of culture (2006) - Report
  This OECD project will provide an approach to measuring the economic and social importance of culture and will deliver initial quantitative estimates of these measures. The project will also explore the linkages between culture and well-being.

Digital Technology and New Media

• Arts & IT: Technology Adoption and Implementation in Arts Organizations (2011) - Report
  Presents comprehensive findings from all respondents of the Centre for Arts Management and Technology's survey, which gathers baseline information about the ways in which technology is used, implemented and planned for by peer institutions in the arts and cultural field. This report also examines and compares oganizations based upon their annual budgets.
• The Role of Culture in the Digital Economy (2012) - Study
  Now online. The Study draws on the input of thousands of employers and workers from the entire cultural community in Broadcasting, Digital Media, Film and Television, Heritage, Live Performing Arts, Music and Sound Recording, Visual Arts and Crafts, and Writing and Publishing.
• Compendium of Hubs for Digital Media Content Creation

  A searchable database of digital media content creation hubs created by the Cultural Human Resource Council.
• Tech Soup Canada
  Assists non-profit and social benefit organizations with obtaining, using, and sustaining technology.
• A Start Up Guide to Social Media and Other Great Tools for Arts Councils
  The Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils has put together an excellent guide detailing the basics of seven social media platforms. (File can be downloaded from OSAC's website.)
• Canada's Interactive Digital Media Industry: Where Creativity Meets Technology in the Digital Economy
  A context paper for digital media content creation from the Cultural Human Resources Council.

Statistics and Research

• Hill Research Strategies/Arts Research Monitor
  Provides research, statistics, and quantitative and qualitative analysis of Canadian arts and cultural issues.
• Cultural Human Resources Council Research
  Provides research on the topics of cross-sectoral, cultural management, digital media, film and television, heritage, live performing arts, music and sound recording, and visual arts and crafts
• Canada Council for the Arts Research Pages
  Provides research into Canadian arts topics, including statistics on funding from the Canada Council.

• Statistics Canada
  Provides Canadians with statistical information on population, resources, economy, society and culture.
• Statistics Canada – Cultural Statistics

  Provides government reports and statistical analysis of the Canadian Cultural Sector.
• Canada Arts Data/Données sur les arts au Canada (CADAC)
  Provides financial and statistical information about arts organizations across Canada - helpful for grant applications!
• Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA)
  Provides research, analysis and consultations on public policies affecting the arts and the Canadian cultural institutions and industries.
• Management Culturel
  Conducts and publishes research to draw attention to the specific challenges raised by management of arts and cultural industries through the École des Hautes Études Commerciales de Montréal.
• Centre for Research into Creation in the Performing Arts (ResCen)
  Multi-disciplinary, artist–driven research centre designed to bridge the gap between academia and the practices of professional performing artists.
• National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Research Publications
  Provides many studies and reports including how technology influences arts participation, the relationship between arts engagement and positive academic and social outcomes in children and young adults of low socioeconomic status, and the worklife of jazz musicians.
• Arts and Heritage in Canada: Access and Availability Survey 2012
  Based on a survey of 1,001 Canadians 18 or older in June and July of 2012, this report examines Canadians’ attendance and personal involvement in the arts, culture, and heritage, as well as their perceptions regarding cultural activities and government support of culture.
• The Arts and Individual Well-Being in Canada
  The Arts and Individual Well-Being in Canada, the 39th report in the Statistical Insights on the Arts series, examines whether connections exist between Canadians' cultural activities and their personal well-being.

Resources for Arts Organizations

Arts Management and Human Resources

• Culture 3.0: Impact of Emerging Digital Technologies on the Cultural Sector in Canada (2011) - Study
  Analyzes the impact of emerging digital technologies on human resources in the cultural sector from the perspectives of both employers and workers in each of the eight sub-sectors.
• Arts Consultants Canada
  A professional association of consultants who provide professional consulting to improve the health, effectiveness and sustainability of the arts.
• Culture Consultants.ca
  Brings together consultants with services to offer, cultural organizations looking for skilled expertise, and funding agencies wanting to build capacity in arts and culture.
• Mediation Services Winnipeg
  Provides a community resource for conflict resolution.
• The Canadian Heritage Community Partnership and Voluntarism Collection
  Provides pdf format resources on Recruiting Volunteers, Fundraising, and Promotion.
• Volunteer Manitoba
  Provides information, training and resources for the volunteer sector, and promotes collaboration between the private and public sectors.
• HR Toolkit 
  Helps managers, employees and board members better understand, address and manage issues relating to Human Resources in nonprofits.
• HR Tools– Booklets to help you solve your HR issues
  Improve and expand the scope of your HR activities with our HR Toolkit developed specially for the Cultural Sector.

Board Governance

• Working with a Non-Profit Board: Tips & Tools (2005) - download (PDF)
  Topics include positive relationships, leaders and followers, trust and respect, communication, disagreements and outright conflict, growth and change, and more.
• Governance Works: A Guidebook - download (PDF)
  This workbook is intended to be a tool to help you and your organization understand the fundamentals of governance and how to implement them.
• La Gouvernance, Ça marche! - télécharger (PDF)
  Ce guide se veut un instrument qui vous aidera, ainsi que votre organisation, à comprendre les principes fondamentaux de la gouvernance et comment les mettre à l’oeuvre.
• Board of Director Handbook Toolkit - download (DOC)
  This toolkit is your guide to ensuring your board of directors has all the information they need to support, understand, guide and develop your organization. The toolkit will review the responsibilities of not-for-profit boards and the responsibilities to the board by the organization. 

Community

• Artists + Community: Building Our Networks Event Report 2013
  Prepared by Carol Finlay and Ashley Au
• The Transformative Power of Artists Working with Community (PowerPoint)
  Prepared by Sue Hemphill and Cam Forbes
• City of Winnipeg Services A-Z
  A list of Winnipeg services and links to their websites or to more information.
• Province of Manitoba
  Provides political, business, and residential information for Manitoba.
• Manitoba's Community Resource Data Warehouse
  Provides information on Manitoba properties.
• Manitoba Arts Network
  Represents community arts councils and community arts programming organizations throughout Manitoba, with a mission to foster arts and culture in rural and northern Manitoba.
• Travel Manitoba
  Provides directories, maps, and detailed information on what Manitoba has to offer in arts & culture, wilderness, and recreation.
• United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
  Creates dialogue among the international community through education, sciences, culture, communication and information, in order to build peace, eradicate poverty, and create sustainable development.
• Artscape DIY
  Provides case studies, tools and resources to help users through the business of developing sustainable, affordable space for culture and creativity to transform and revitalize communities.

Education and Youth

• Arts Network for Children and Youth
  Develops sustainable arts programming for children and youth in communities across Canada.
• The Alliance for Arts Education in Manitoba
  Advocates for the value of arts education for youth, and promotes collaboration.

• TED Talk: Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity
  Creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson challenges the way we're educating our children. He champions a radical rethink of our school systems, to cultivate creativity and acknowledge multiple types of intelligence.
• Critical Evidence: How the Arts Benefit Student Achievement (2006) - Study
  Documents the most current and compelling research on the value of arts learning experiences and how the arts contribute to student achievement and success.
• Learning, Arts, and the Brain: The Dana Consortium Report on Arts and Cognition (2008) - Study
  Advances our understanding of the effects of music, dance, and drama education on other types of learning. Children motivated in the arts develop attention skills and strategies for memory retrieval that also apply to other subject areas.  This study brings us closer to answering the question "are smart people drawn to the arts or does arts training make people smarter?"

Event Planning

• Crash Course in Event Planning - download (PPT)
  Easy guide to planning your event

Running a Non-Profit Organization

• Imagine Canada
  Unites, supports, and strengthens charities and nonprofits so they can, in turn, support the Canadians and communities they serve.
• Board Cafe
  Supports non-profit organizations with advocacy, research and resources.
• Charity Village
  Supports Canadian non-profit organizations with articles, resources and workshops about all aspects of running a non-profit, plus a job bank.
• RAND: A New Framework for Building Participation in the Arts (2005) - Report
  Presents the findings of a RAND study of these efforts, the purpose of which was twofold: to better understand the process by which individuals become involved in the arts and to identify how arts institutions can most effectively influence this process.

Resources for Individual Artists

Careers: Writing a Biography, Resumé, Cover Letter; Planning Your Career

• Business Survival Toolkit
  Guide to help self-employers, small or big business owners in the creative industries survive and prosper. It offers hands-on tools to help with the big decisions arts and heritage organisations and creative businesses make every day.
• Creative Choices
  Provides weekly newsletters loaded with great advice for creative entrepreneurs.
• Cultural Careers Council Ontario
  Addresses human resources and career development needs and issues for Ontario's arts and culture community. Includes a Job bank, Human Resource toolkits, and links to other organizations concerned with arts management.
• Cultural Human Resource Council (CHRC)
  Strengthens Canada’s cultural workforce through training, career development, and human resources – includes many online resources including Job Board and the Art of Managing Your Career.
• How to Write a Bio-download (PDF)
  Tips for Writing Your Super-Interesting Bio
• How to Write Cover Letters - download (PDF)
  Tips for Writing Winning Cover Letters
• Emerging Arts Professional
  Networks arts administrators, managers and artists who are at the start of their careers. Connects emerging artists to online mentors, and provides insight into possible career directions.
• Manitoba Job Futures
  Provides a wealth of information including wages and salaries, employment requirements, skills, education and training course availability, the future employment outlook, and more, on selected occupations in the Manitoba workforce.
• "From artist to entrepreneur" - Article
  Steps to making the transition from being a student to establishing an arts practice, business, or career within the creative and cultural industries is a challenging but exciting journey.

Funding Sources and Financial Management

• "Finance for Freelancers" - Article
  Money takes on a whole new meaning when you’re self-employed. The taxman can investigate the accounts of any freelancer so it’s crucial yours are accurate, up-to-date and in order.  Whether you’re starting out, or needing a recap on your personal finance, experts Anita Brook and Matt Ponting offer their advice.
• Grant Writing Toolkit - download (PDF)
  This toolkit will address the basic needs for a grant application such as artist’s statement, biography, support material, budget, and art project outline.
• indiegogo
  Create your own fundraising campaign on this multi-sector site.
• The Winnipeg Arts Council
  The City of Winnipeg’s arm’s-length agency, which advises the city on cultural policy development. Main areas of activity are grants, awards, public art programs, promotion, and liaising with the City.
• Manitoba Arts Council
  Funded through Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism, makes awards for artistic excellence to individuals and organizations in Manitoba, and promotes and facilitates arts education opportunities.
• Canada Council for the Arts
  Canada’s national, arm’s-length arts funding agency which provides grants, endowments and prizes, research, communications, and arts promotion activities.
• Canada Heritage
  Provides and maintains national policies and programs that promote Canadian content; foster cultural participation, active citizenship and participation in Canada's civic life; and strengthen connections among Canadians.
• Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism
  Government body that assists and supports community initiatives to promote access by all Manitobans to the study, creation, production, exhibition and publication of works in the arts.
• Canada Revenue Agency – Charities Information
  Provides information on becoming a Charity, tax returns for charities, tax receipting, database of returns made by Canadian charities.
• IFACCA Good Practice Guides
  Provides Good Practice Guides for arts councils and arts funding agencies in four categories: Subsidies and Grants; Strategic Activities and Government Relations; Managing an Arts Funding Agency; and Information Provision.
• Grant Deadlines (Updated June 21, 2012)
  September - June deadlines for Manitoba Arts Council (MAC), Winnipeg Arts Council (WAC), and the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA).

Marketing

• Finding the Right Customers-Article
  Offers insight on how choosing the right customers and saying no to the wrong customers is an essential part of marketing strategy for any creative enterprise.
• The Daily Egg
  Hard boiled conversion optimization and design advice for small business.
• Sales and Marketing
  Information on marketing, selling, and tendering for contracts.
• Breaking the Fifth Wall: Rethinking Arts Marketing for the 21st Century
  Outlines a new approach to arts marketing in the digital age with online resource links.
• How to Build an Audience for Your Web Series: Market, Motivate, and Mobilize (2011) - download (PDF)
  Provides practical, hands-on advice and strategies to attract audiences to web series and websites, and to inspire audiences to become communities of interest, who in turn can become the best marketers you can get.  
• Arts Marketing (U.S.A)
  Provides resources for Arts Marketing professionals including an Idea Bank for Marketing Strategies, Professional Development, Conferences, and more.
• Association of Fundraising Professionals
  Provides fundraising information, news, job bank, and resource centre from an international point of view.
• Participation in Arts and Culture: The Importance of Community Venues (2003) - Study 
  Study finding that more people participate in arts and cultural events in open-air spaces, schools, places of worship and other nontraditional venues than in conventional arts venues.

Mentorships and Internships

• Young Canada Works
  A Canadian Heritage initiative offering summer jobs and internships to students and recent graduates.

Post-Secondary Education
Arts Administration

• Canadian Association of Arts Administration Educators (CAAAE)

  Provides information on Graduate and Undergraduate programs in Arts Administration


• European Network of Cultural Training Centres
  Networks higher educational institutions and training organizations dealing with cultural management education and cultural policy training.
• University of Winnipeg Professional, Applied and Continuing Education
  The Manitoba Arts and Cultural Management Program is sponsored by ACI Manitoba – up to $1,522 in bursaries are available to ACI members.
• Red River College Volunteer Management Program
  Develops the skills to recruit, select, motivate, train and manage volunteers. Available by distance delivery.
• The Centre for Cultural Management at the University of Waterloo
  Offers cultural management education and research in Waterloo, Ontario.
• Manageculture.com
  Offers online professional development opportunities for cultural managers through the Centre for Cultural Management at University of Waterloo.
• MacEwan Arts & Cultural Management Program
  Offers an Edmonton-based two-year diploma program in arts and cultural management. Also available online.

Performing and Visual Arts

• Brandon University School of Music
• Brandon University Faculty of Arts
• Canadian Mennonite University
• Manitoba Conservatory of Music & Arts
• University of Manitoba Faculty of Arts
• University of Manitoba School of Art
• University of Manitoba Faculty of Music
• University of Winnipeg Faculty of Arts
• University College of the North
  Has campuses in The Pas and Thompson, and programs in 12 northern communities.

Resource & Support Organizations for Independent Artists

• Arts and Cultural Resource Organizations in Manitoba
  A non-exhaustive list of arts and cultural organizations that can help you figure out everything from networking to sector advocacy, professional development to performance opportunities.
• Musicians' Rights Organization Canada
  Collects and distributes royalties for Canadian musicians.
• ACT Manitoba
  Supports amateur theatre and amateur performing arts in Manitoba.
• Canadian Artists Representation (CARFAC)
  Promotes visual arts, and socio-economic support of visual art production; conducts research and engages in public education to these ends in Canada.
• Canadian Artists Representation Copyright Collective (CARCC)
  Puts CARFAC’s principles of copyright for artists into practice.
• VERRUE
  Winnipeg chapter of ARCA, the Artist-Run Centres and Collectives Conference. Comprises an energetic mix of artist-run centres, public galleries, alternative festivals, service-providers and events programmers. Shares information, lobbies to affect change and to raise awareness of issues concerning the arts in Manitoba.
• European arts and culture links
  Lists European resources for arts and cultural projects.
• Chicago Artists Resource
  Describes the landscape of opportunity for Chicago artists using: an artist-curated resource directory; links to local and national organizations; articles by national leaders in artist professional development; and the voices, artwork and experiences of Chicago artists.
• Say Magazine
  Brings to light contemporary Native issues including Economic Development; Entertainment; Sports; Education; Careers; Health; Lifestyle.
• Uniquely Manitoba
  Supports product development and marketing for artists, craftspersons and specialty food producers in Manitoba.
• First Peoples Heritage, Language and Culture Council Arts Toolkit
  Provides easy access to information and materials that can assist Aboriginal artists and cultural workers in their work.
• Tips for Craft Sales
  Articles from setting up a craft booth to country craft marketing.