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The Arts Professions Act and the Art of Contracting

As of June 1, 2010, The Arts Professions Act requires written contracts to be used between professional artists of all types, including performers and anyone wanting to hire, engage or contract them for their work or performance. The Act also recognizes the artist as a professional and, as a professional, emphasizes the importance of fair compensation.

Written contracts help protect artists and engagers by spelling out what is to be done, agreed upon fees, deadlines, termination clauses, transfer of rights, etc. This ensures a clear understanding of the transaction with the aim of preventing contract disputes down the road.

Written contracts are an effective business practice as they help solidify the business relationship by providing a clear understanding of the transaction. They also provide an extra measure of protection to both parties compared to a verbal or literal handshake.

This statute is part of Pride of Saskatchewan: A Policy Where Culture, Community and Commerce Meet and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport’s plan to support a vibrant and growing arts and culture sector.

There are many contract resources and tools available. If you want more information or you are new to contracting and are looking for tools to help you start using written contracts, please visit: http://www.tpcs.gov.sk.ca/arts-professions-act

By protecting both parties, written contracts make business more straightforward and profitable.

Culture Days September 24 - 26 – How to Get Involved and Five tips to get you started

It’s time to think Culture Days. If you are just getting started, have a look at the Culture Days blog for features on what others are doing to get their organization and cultural activities. Visit http://culturedays.ca/blog/2010/06/21/five-tips-to-get-you-started

There is also a wealth of information at http://culturedays.ca/en and at www.saskculture.sk.ca .

Be sure to register your event on the Culture Days website and please let the OSAC office know as well.

Simon Moccasin - record breaking tour with OSAC!

Simon Moccasin has been delighting school audiences throughout Saskatchewan since September 2009 with the OSAC Junior Concerts program. Simon continues his touring in April and May. At the conclusion of the OSAC tour, he will have performed in 55 communities, 63 schools and enjoyed a record breaking 119 performances! Check out the links to local papers to see what’s being said:

Moccasin spreads laughs and First Nation culture

Storyteller entertains at school

Boris Sichon: Around the World in Fort Qu’Appelle 

The sun shone on Boris Sichon through three upstairs windows at Echo Coffee Coffee Coffee as this world class entertainer performed an impromptu benefit concert for Fort Qu’Appelle’s Community Outreach Management Centre on the afternoon of Sunday, March 21st.

Sichon has travelled the world, through over fifty countries, but is currently finishing up an OSAC (Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils) tour. While setting up for his Friday afternoon concert at Bert Fox Community High School, Sichon asked if there was anywhere he might do a community concert, something to give back to the community. “We took him up on his offer right away,” says teacher, Sheena Koops, “but then I had some quick organizing to do. I phoned Donna at Echo Coffee, and she was great to give us her upstairs venue. We made posters and by 3:30, we’d booked Boris for a second Fort Qu’Appelle performance.”

The OSAC membership is comprised of many volunteers who donate countless hours to their member arts councils. The OSAC Volunteer Recognition Award is just one small way for your arts council to recognize one of these volunteers. If you wish to nomiate an individual, please click here for full details as well as the nomination form.

We publish the list of recipients in our e-update, on our website and in our Annual Report.

The deadline for nominations is June 30, 2010.

We are accepting nominations for the prestigious honour of OSAC Life Member until June 30, 2010. Please click here for further details.

Jane Zhang, Program Director for TechSoup Canada presented an informative, well-received workshop on the topic of capacity building through the use of technology at our conference this fall. She had some very useful handout materials that can be downloaded below.

TechSoup Canada offers incredible pricing on software for eligible non-profits and charities. For further information please check out their website: TechSoup Canada. 

Technology Planning

Social Media for Non-profits