Market Study – Partnerships and Entrepreneurship
The Market Study undertaken by Collins Barrow last January was completed this spring, offering ROCS’ members an impressive amount of information, data and analysis which will guide the development of three concepts of “cultural enterprises”, as put forward by the Place des Arts’ concept: a bistro, which is also a secondary venue for the performing arts, a boutique and a nano-brewery.
Collins Barrow’s recommendations invite the ROCS to pursue these ventures by developing the business model of each concept while considering the possibility of creating partnerships with local businesses and entrepreneurs, especially for the nano-brewery, an emerging sector in the region with the recent arrival of micro-breweries, as well as the presence of artisan master-brewers and farmers interested in growing hops.
As for the boutique, it is recommended the ROCS explore the consignment approach, again forming partnerships with distributors already established in the region, as well as with local artists and artisans.
And finally, given the bistro’s mandate as a venue for performing arts, the ROCS is invited to undertake the development of its business plan to evaluate more closely the economic potential and sustainability of such a venue within the Place des Arts centre. Work on the bistro’s business plan will be undertaken in the fall of 2013.
ROCS’ participation in a study led by the Greater Sudbury Synergy Project
The Greater Sudbury Synergy Project (GSSP) is an initiative launched in 2010 with the objective of creating a multi-purpose conference centre and large performing arts venue for the region. This past May, sponsored by the Sudbury Community Foundation, the GSSP undertook a study to develop an inventory of existing infrastructure and future capital projects such as the ROCS’ Place des Arts project and the downtown relocation of the Art Gallery of Sudbury.
The ROCS decided to partner with the GSSP for this strategic study that is offering various project proponents an opportunity to compare their plans. The study will also comprise a market analysis, to evaluate the overall sustainability of the different cultural and community infrastructures being developed.
This process will also invite stakeholders to explore avenues for collaboration by creating complementary venues, giving the region a well-planned, optimal cultural infrastructure estate. Results of the GSSP study are expected in the early fall of 2013.
A ROCS delegation in Toronto
Last June 10th and 11th, Stéphane Gauthier, Executive and Cultural Director of Carrefour francophone, Martin Lajeunesse, Administrative Director of Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario and Paulette Gagnon, Director of Development for the ROCS were in the provincial Capital to meet with several Government of Ontario representatives and visit centers similar to the Place des Arts project. Two full days packed with many positive encounters!
The delegation met with Kevin Finnerty, Assistant Deputy Minister, Tourism, Culture and Sports, and members of his team; Daniel Cayen, Assistant Deputy Minister, Francophone Affairs and his close collaborator, Alain Daoust; Noreen Cartwright and her colleague Maryse Benge, Senior Investment Consultants for the Ontario Tourism Fund, MTCS; Eric Bianchini, Policy Advisor to Minister Michael Gravelle, Northern Development and Mines; the Head of the Bureau du Québec in Toronto, Paul-Arthur Huot, and his colleague, Tihana Majcen, Senior Advisor; as well as Gordon McIvor, Chair of the Alliance française de Toronto and several members of his team. A special thank you goes to Adele Debkowski, Executive Director of ArtsBuild Ontario, for her help in making this mission in Toronto a success.
Following the meetings, the ROCS is better known, the Place des Arts project has been presented to several key partners and collaborations between the provincial government and the Greater Sudbury coalition have been explored. These exchanges will be ongoing over the next months.
The delegation also visited CSI on Regent, a cultural centre offering several types of venues and spaces and a home to several residents and users, as well as the Distillery District, an entirely pedestrian downtown neighbourhood with boutiques, galleries, artists’ studios, cafés and other such sites, offering a glimpse of the potential of our own Downtown…
ROCS’ briefs
Publisher Prise de parole, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, has made the shortlist for the 2013 Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts.
This prestigious award annually recognizes exceptional contributions by Ontarian artistic organizations and creators. Laureates for 2013 will be announced at an event to be held on June 27th at the Ontario Royal Museum.
The Salon du livre recently announced the nomination of Roxanne Charlebois and Sylvie Lessard to the direction of the organization, the tandem sharing the overall management under a job-sharing approach. The team takes over from Guylaine Tousignant, Executive Director for the last three years, whom the ROCS wishes to thank for her major contribution to the organization’s development.
Last May 9th, the Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario launched its 2013-2014 Season, in the company of many subscribers invited to the event. The ROCS wishes to congratulate Geneviève Pineault, who is undertaking her 10th season as Artistic Director of the company.
