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  • Introducing Consultants Corner: A new ACCA series hosted quarterly

    This year, ACCA is officially launching Consultants Corner,  a new series designed as a peer space for sharing, reflection, and practical exchange across our consulting community.

    Consulting can be both collaborative and isolating. Some of the most valuable knowledge in our field is rarely published –it’s developed through experience and shared between peers.

    Consultants Corner creates a regular space to:

    • Exchange insights from real projects
    • Reflect on evolving tools, relationships, and structures
    • Connect with fellow consultants across the country

    Each session is 60 minutes over lunch, lightly facilitated with group discussion and breakout conversations. ACCA members are welcome to invite 1-2 colleagues or collaborators who would meaningfully contribute to the conversation.

    Kickoff Session – April 24th 2026, 12PM-1PM

    AI & Consulting: What’s Actually Useful

    There is significant conversation around AI, but less clarity on how it applies to day-to-day consulting practice. This is a practical, no-nonsense conversation about where AI genuinely saves time, sharpens thinking or strengthens the work, versus where it falls apart.

    This first session will focus on:

    • Where AI is genuinely saving time or strengthening work
    • Where it falls short or raises questions
    • How consultants are beginning to integrate it into their workflows

    We will open with a brief “from the field” update from the Banff AI Summit, followed by facilitated discussions by Christina Bagatavicius (ACCA Programming Chair) and small breakout group exchange.

    Session Details

    Date: Friday, April 24, 2026

    Time: 12:00–1:00 PM ET

    Format:

    • Short opening and framing
    • Group discussion
    • Breakout conversations and takeaways

    How to Participate

    To support a meaningful exchange, participants are encouraged to come with one useful example, reflection, or question related to AI in their work. This could include:

    • A tool or approach you’ve tested
    • A workflow that has improved (or not)
    • A challenge, limitation, or open question

    Practical, real-world insights are encouraged.

    Join Us

    We invite both ACCA members and those interested in ACCA to join this first session and help shape the series. Further sessions will take place throughout the year, exploring additional topics relevant to consulting practice. 

    Sign up here: https://forms.gle/KWhwRmeQwg5ksi1cA

    As the series evolves we will thoughtfully expand participation by connecting with aligned organizations and practitioners from across the sector. ACCA members are welcome to invite 1-2 colleagues who would benefit from and be interested in the conversation.

  • New Episode! ATM 015: Inside the Confederation Centre’s “Shared Voices” project with Steve Bellamy

    We are back with a new season of At the Mic / Au micro, ACCA’s arts and cultural industry podcast! We are delighted to kick off this season with a conversation with Steve Bellamy, CEO of the Confederation Centre for the Arts on their exciting and multifaceted major rejuvenation project “Shared Voices”, underway now in Charlottetown, PEI.

    Steve Bellamy has an extensive background in the arts and education sector having lived and worked across Canada in the music business, education, and executive administration. Among his accomplishments, Steve produced more than 200 commercial music albums, including some Juno winners. Before he became CEO of the Confederation Centre in Charlottetown, he was Dean of Creative and Performing Arts at Humber College in Toronto.

    In this episode, Steve shares the project’s goals which include enhancing arts education, creating new Canadian content, and reaffirming the Centre’s role as a national memorial to Confederation. In addition to renovations which will update their existing facilities, they are renovating the former provincial library and archives space into a Canadian Leadership Institute, an Arts Academy, and an Arts Innovation Hub.

    Steve outlines what is involved in undertaking a project of this scope – the extensive consultation and planning process to engage with local, national and indigenous communities, the partnerships with various stakeholders, building their team capacity, the financial strategies and some of the challenges that they have overcome.

    Don’t miss this inspiring talk about a major cultural infrastructure project being successfully undertaken in 2025.

    The Confederation Centre was built in 1964 as Canada’s national memorial to the Fathers of Confederation. It has grown into a place where people can learn about how our country was formed and how it continues to grow and change, always with the arts at the heart. The Centre aims to inspire Canadians to consider our country’s past, present, and future through performing arts, visual arts, interactive learning experiences, plus gathering for discussion and forums.

    ACCA would like to thank Steve for this fascinating conversation, and for giving us a glimpse into how the Confederation Centre continues to evolve.

    Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLSiIV_60h0

    Listen in browser: https://at-the-mic.castos.com/episodes/inside-the-confederation-centres-shared-voices-project-with-steve-bellamy 

    Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/inside-the-confederation-centres-shared-voices/id1647263308?i=1000725708631 

    For more information on the Centre and the Shared Voices project, please go here:

    Shared Voices Capital Campaign

  • Invitation to Phase 2 Feasibility Study for Canadian network for cultural management

    As you may have heard, a group of cultural organizations has come together to conduct a feasibility study for a bilingual network for cultural management knowledge exchange. A place like this does not yet exist for Canadian cultural management professionals.  

    You are now invited to take part in Phase 2 of the study in August. 

    In Phase One, thanks to the feedback from our initial June consultations, we learned, we’ve gained a strong understanding of what the sector needs, including increased connections. Now, we need your input to determine how a lean, bilingual, and interdisciplinary community designed to bridge gaps in knowledge could function sustainably. 

    To learn more about the project context and phase one, please go here.

    We are working to build the place for the online knowledge exchange that you’ve been looking for – a place where arts and culture managers, post-secondary educators and others across the country can share knowledge and learn from each other. This exchange is to be omnidirectional, meaning everyone will share knowledge with each other in various ways – a bridge to make connections across our sector. 

    You can help us see whether it’s possible.

    Sign up with the links below for a consultation session to share your input. Space is limited, so don’t wait!

    Upcoming English sessions:

    French sessions: 

    Can’t make these dates?  Please take our survey. 

    If you would like to know more, please contact Julia Campbell, Project Manager: networkproject@artsconsultants.ca.

    We would like to thank our partners and steering committee. Banff Centre, Brock University Project de recherche, Canadian Association of Arts Administration Educators, CAPACOA, Carleton Sprott School of Business, Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre (University of Regina), Compétence Culture, Confederation Centre for the Arts, Connexxions Consulting, Culture Works Canada, Fédération Culturelle canadienne française, HEC Montréal, Humber College Arts Administration, Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance, Mass Culture, and University of New Brunswick (Contemporary Management for Arts and Culture).

  • Invitation to Participate in Feasibility Study for Canadian network for cultural management

    We have an opportunity to explore the potential creation of a Canadian network for cultural management professionals, a virtual community where arts and culture managers, post-secondary educators and others can share knowledge and learn from each other. 

    Sometimes we struggle to find current, reliable information, to avoid duplicating existing resources, and even know who to talk to for advice. This is where a network – a community of practice for all of us involved with management in arts and culture – for sharing, learning and connecting could be so valuable.

    You can help us see whether it’s possible.

    Arts Consultants Canada is undertaking a national feasibility study with a pan-Canadian steering committee of over a dozen collaborators. From May–September 2025, the study aims to identify the potential for this bilingual community of practice, one that could be genuinely valuable for each of us as we do our work in a rapidly changing environment.  

    It’s critical that we hear your voice for this opportunity to be explored.

    Sign up with the links below for a consultation session to share your input. Space is limited, so don’t wait!

    English sessions:

    French sessions: 

    Can’t make these dates?  Please take a few minutes to fill out our survey!
    https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Culturenetwork

    If you would like to know more, please contact Julia Campbell, Project Manager: networkproject@artsconsultants.ca.

    We would like to thank our partners and steering committee. Banff Centre, Brock University Project de recherche, Canadian Association of Arts Administration Educators, CAPACOA, Carleton Sprott School of Business, Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre (University of Regina), Compétence Culture, Confederation Centre for the Arts, Connexxions Consulting, Culture Works Canada, Fédération Culturelle canadienne française, HEC Montréal, Humber College Arts Administration, Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance, Mass Culture, University of New Brunswick (Contemporary Management for Arts and Culture), UofT Scarborough, and Young and Associates.

  • Financial Management for the Arts with Heather Young and Jane Needles

    In this edition of At The Mic, we bring you Heather Young of Young Associates in conversation with the ACCA’s Jane Needles. Heather is an expert in Financial Management for the Arts and has just published two books on the subject which are something that should be on every consultant’s bookshelf and in every Arts Administration teacher’s required reading lists for their students.

    ACCA recognizes the generous support of Unity Design Studio for sponsoring this podcast! — Unity Design Studio (https://www.unitydesignstudio.ca) is a high-ranked B Corp architecture firm with over 50 years experience designing many arts and culture venues, including the new Canadian Canoe Museum which you heard about in our last podcast!

  • Unity Design Studio puts values into action with new Canadian Canoe Museum

    In this edition of At the Mic, we bring you an exceptional example of how Canadian architects are putting contemporary values into action today.

    Our guests are Bill Lett and Michael Gallant, registered architects with Unity Design Studio. Unity is a high-ranked B Corp architecture firm with over 50 years experience designing many arts and culture venues, including the remarkable new Canadian Canoe Museum. Don’t miss this inspiring talk about how the unique new Canadian Canoe Museum embodies the new and collaborative ways that these designers work grounded in contemporary values and genuine community engagement. 

  • The Audacity of Relevance with Alex Sarian

    In this timely and valuable conversation, our guest Alex Sarian shares some of his wisdom on ways for arts organizations to be relevant today gained from his personal experience and that of others. Alex joined Arts Commons as President & CEO in 2020 after seven years of leadership roles at Lincoln Center. In addition to overseeing this major facility in downtown Calgary, he also leads the largest cultural infrastructure project in Canadian history, the Arts Commons Transformation.

  • Seeking Feedback from emerging arts consultants

    We are collecting feedback to better understand the current needs and aspirations of emerging arts consultants.

    Individuals that complete the survey below are automatically entered to win one-year of free membership with ACCA.

    Click here to participate in this survey: https://lnkd.in/gBYhJzXd

    Cliquez ici pour répondre à l’enquête en français:
    https://lnkd.in/gRjBwzrF

    Merci! We value your feedback.

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