The National Director’s Blog
The CCA communicates regularly with its members and the public regarding its work promoting and defending the arts, culture and heritage sector. From time to time, Alain Pineau adds his personal touch as presented in this blog. Read on and share your thoughts by posting replies.
CCA Together!
Yes, we're still here, and it’s high time that I reported our recent weeks’ activities!
Just like Mark Twain (and many others since), the CCA would like to say that rumours of its death have been greatly exaggerated! Upon hearing the recent news, some may have jumped to the conclusion that the CCA was folding its tent. Neither the board nor the staff has thrown in the towel and we’re working at full steam ahead...
read moreReinventing the CCA: an update
Reinventing the CCA: an update
There are big changes happening at the CCA. Read Alain Pineau's latest blog post to learn more about our ongoing efforts to implement our new strategic plan.
read moreSt. John’s – last port of call!
February 19, 2012 For weeks, I have wondered what kind of weather awaited me in the last leg of my pancanadian tour. Halifax and St. John’s are two cities well known for their winter storms. Well, the Gods were kind to me all throughout my five weeks on the road! After spring-like temperatures and sunshine in Halifax, I arrived in St. John’s on Thursday night to the Newfoundland version of spring, with above average temperatures, a thick fog and pouring rain! Another more recent concern of mine had to do with how many people would attend...
read moreHalifax
February 16, 2012 I have always loved Halifax for its friendly atmosphere, the quality of its cultural life and its restaurants. In fact, I must confess that I have a soft spot for Nova Scotia where, over the years, I have spent four summer holidays. But it is the first time that I set foot in the Neptune Theatre where, after a short interview for Radio-Canada’s television services, I join the thirty people or so who have gathered in one of the rehearsal rooms on the third floor of this vast building in the heart of old Halifax. Erika...
read moreQuébec City
February 14, 2012 Bonhomme Carnaval was back in storage, the sky was pure blue and the air icy cold when I arrived in Québec City on Sunday. I come here invited by the network of Québec independent presenters (RIDEAU) to be a panellist at their annual gathering. I seize the opportunity to meet a number of people in the province’s old capital who have an interest in the future of the CCA. Monday starts early: an all-morning workshop starting at 8:30 am, preceded by breakfast with fellow panelists and the moderator. The theme of the...
read moreMoncton and Charlottetown
February 12, 2012 Last Wednesday in Moncton was as busy as I said it would be in my last blog! Three presentations back-to-back in the City Council Chambers (clearly a favoured venue for this visit to New Brunswick). The day begins at 10 am with a meeting in French, my first since Saint Boniface. Over thirty people listen attentively to my presentation and I am a bit discombobulated by their quietness. What has happened to the Acadians I have grown to know? Not very much like them to stay silent! But things warm up a bit and I answer...
read moreNew Brunswick Tour – Part One
February 9, 2012 I finally have some free time to tell you about my tour of New Brunswick: what a heavy agenda that was! This is the only province where I have visited three cities: Fredericton, Saint John and Moncton. All in all, five public presentations, five small group meetings, and some 125 people heard the CCA message over those three days… not counting those who followed one presentation on Twitter (more about that in a moment)! It all started in Fredericton where I arrived on Sunday night and was joined on Monday morning by my...
read moreThe National Director’s Blog – On the way back from Edmonton
February 2, 2012 EDMONTON – My too-short visit to Edmonton was a fitting conclusion to a very exciting week in Alberta. I arrived in the provincial capital Tuesday night on the Red Arrow bus from Calgary (what high quality travel on board of those buses, something to shame Voyageur services back East!). Tom McFall, Executive Director of the Alberta Craft Council and CCA Board member, was waiting for me at the station and after dropping my luggage at the hotel, we went out for dinner to prepare the meetings he lined up for me: not a...
read moreThe National Director’s Blog – On the Red Arrow bus from Calgary to Edmonton
January 31 CALGARY – Ah Calgary! What a warm welcome, and I am not referring to the spring-like temperature or the radiant sunshine of the past two days! It began yesterday at the airport where Michael Green, Curator and Artistic Director for Calgary 2012 was waiting to take me to my hotel and it went on until Tom McCarthy, General Manager of Calgary Arts Development, dropped me at the Red Arrow bus terminal today. I was welcomed with open arms in this modern metropolis in expansion mode. Calgary is proud of being a 2012 Cultural...
read moreFrom the traveling desk of Alain Pineau – Written from the tarmac in Winnipeg
January 27, 2012 WINNIPEG – The weather gods are no longer smiling upon me! Freezing rain in Toronto and Ottawa means that I have at least three hours of leisure time at the Winnipeg airport: who knows at what time I’ll get home today! I may as well take advantage of this delay to blog on my short visit in Manitoba’s capital. CCA Board member Nicole Matiation and Thom Sparling, Executive Director of the Arts and Cultural Industries Association of Manitoba (ACI) prepared a fully loaded agenda for me. Thursday morning started with...
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