About SPARC
Réseau SPARC Network is a network whose purpose is to ignite and help sustain performing arts communities in rural and remote Ontario and beyond.
What is SPARC?
In order for the performing arts scene to thrive we believe there needs to be people, services and systems that allow us to communicate with each other effectively.
The SPARC network has been designed so that it is owned, developed and controlled by YOU, the individuals, groups and organizations that make the performing arts happen in rural and remote areas.
Your networking needs, development goals, and artistic interests will inform the growth and evolution of SPARC over the next few years.
The SPARC team
The SPARC team currently consists of two staff members (a Network Coordinator and Northern Outreach Consultant), and a dedicated group of volunteers that form the SPARC Network Steering Committee.
Rachel Marks, Executive Director rachel@sparcperformingarts.com
Jason Manitowabi, Northern Outreach Coordinator jason@sparcperformingarts.com
Who does SPARC serve?
Creators: Musicians, actors, dancers, directors, choreographers, animators, videographers, singers – the people creating and performing.
Presenters: Venues, programmers, organizations, festivals – the people selecting the artistic programming for public presentation in their communities.
Producers: Individuals, companies, troupes, collectives, organizations – the people handling the administrative side of the creation and presentation processes.
Animators: Movers and shakers, volunteers, committee members, board members, patrons – the people who are enlivening and encouraging the growth of performing arts in their communities.
Working in the performing arts (theatre, dance, music, and film/media arts) in rural and remote communities across Ontario!
SPARC Board of Directors
Sandy Irvin - Chair
Eric Goudie - Vice Chair
Kim Blackwell
Kate Butler
Krista Dalby
Gordon Duff
Chris Lynd - Past chair
Georgia Papanicolaou
Claire Senko
We believe that a strong, vibrant network will significantly raise the profile of the performing arts in our rural communities and, as a result, will increase our capacity to make awesome performing arts projects happen.
How does SPARC Bring People Together?
Blog & Social Media
We share stories from our members about successful initiatives in their communities, and also share information about upcoming workshops and funding deadlines that may be relevant to our members.
e-newsletter
Our e-newsletter keeps subscribers up to date with the latest news from the SPARC team.
Private Facebook Group
This members-only group is where discussion takes place. It’s where our members can brainstorm together, ask each other questions, provide advice, share resources, etc.
Community Gatherings
SPARC holds gatherings with friends old and new; learning about local initiatives, challenges, and existing collaborations with a mind to finding new opportunities for collaboration – locally, regionally and provincially – to continue increasing capacity for creators, producers, presenters, and animateurs to do the work they love in a sustainable way.
Please get in touch if you would like to learn more about what our community gatherings entail or are interested in having us visit your community!
Symposiums
Every two years SPARC seeks to create the space for the presenters, creators, producers and animateurs of the performing arts world to gather in a specific location for a creative weekend of networking, problem solving and strategizing.
For information about our past and upcoming symposiums, click here.
How Can You Get Involved?
Become a member — it’s FREE!
SPARC’s “for us by us” approach to the rural and remote performing arts is based on the constellation model. A ‘constellation’ in this sense is a local network ranging from 1 or 2 people in an area to a group of thousands. These local constellations then connect and feed into the larger, Ontario-wide constellation.
SPARC’s goal is to make contact and build relationships with local networks, linking them into the broader network we are building across the province.