Have you heard? There is a new arts network launching in the Southern Georgian Bay region that aims to connect artists of all disciplines, arts organizations, and businesses to collaborate, support, and empower the arts and culture sector. Our goal is to weave together a network of networks, create a branding and marketing campaign to highlight regional arts and culture events, and build an online digital resource hub for the artists of South Georgian Bay.
The network has grown out of the Institute of South Georgian Bay, and our goals are informed by The Power of the Arts & Cultural Strategy that was released in September 2021. The network is also being supported by our partners South Georgian Bay Tourism, Theatre Collingwood, and the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts.
My name is Amber Ebert, and I’m thrilled to be the Network Development Coordinator for this newly established arts network. I have 15 years of experience working with professional arts organizations to plan and deliver cultural events and community engagement programs. As a program manager and facilitator, I have been fortunate to work with artists from a range of artistic disciplines, including theatre, visual arts, and contemporary music. I have a specific interest in developing training and networking opportunities for artists to broaden the impact of arts programming.
On a personal note, I moved to Eugenia from Toronto three years ago with my partner to start a family. I grew up in a rural community in Niagara and have always dreamt of moving back to a smaller community and using my professional skills and experience in developing arts programming to directly impact the community in which I live. I feel very lucky that this position of Network Development Coordinator will allow me to do just that.
I believe this network will provide a place for artists from all artistic disciplines to come together to share best practices and learn from each other as colleagues. A place where artists new to the region can connect with longtime resident artists and organizations to explore potential collaborations and opportunities. With the launch of the online platforms, it will also be a place where both the broader local community and year-round visitors can access information about the arts events taking place throughout the region. Artists and arts organizations are much stronger together than we are apart, and this network will work to amplify the collective voice of the artistic community and leverage our ability to advocate for space, time, and funding needed to support our creative work and practice.
So, come join us! As we are right at the start of the network, it is vital that we welcome new members from a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and artistic disciplines. I invite anyone interested in learning more about our plans to reach out. Our goal is to launch our online resources in mid-February and to start with monthly newsletters starting in the new year.
I look forward to connecting with you!
Amber Ebert
Network Development Coordinator