“I would like to begin this morning with an acknowledgment. I do a good deal of speaking on cultural tourism at tourism conferences and events. As you might imagine, I encounter many different destination marketing organizations (DMOs), and I meet many different DMO managers – the folks who market tourism in the jurisdiction for which they are responsible.”

Click here to continue reading Steven Thorne’s “Place-Based Cultural Tourism – Why “Place” is the Key to Cultural Tourism & How You Can Unlock Its Treasures”

WHITBY, ON

Held at the Durham College/University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre, the daylong event consisted of a marketplace of Durham Region businesses and organizations, a tourism industry speaker series, and the presentation of the inaugural Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards.

“The Tourism Summit and Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards showed off Durham Region’s creative economy, which is continuing to grow every day,” stated Roger Anderson, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for Durham Region. “Our rich heritage, dynamic attractions, and thriving arts and culture scene make up a quality of life in Durham Region that is second to none.”

The event featured keynote speaker Robin Sharma, a best-selling author and expert on leadership and change management. During his address, Sharma empowered the sold-out audience to build on leadership skills to achieve great things. Attendees also enjoyed the tourism industry speaker series, which covered topics such as cultural tourism, cycle tourism, culinary tourism, customer service and more.

“The tourism industry speaker series explored ways to take Durham’s assets and leverage them to attract more tourists to the Region,” said Kathy Weiss, Director of Economic Development and Tourism for Durham Region. “By promoting and developing our exceptional cycling trails, culinary industry, cultural marvels and other assets, we will attract more overnight stays and new business; resulting in more money being spent in the local economy and more jobs brought to Durham Region.”

Attendees enjoyed getting a head start on holiday shopping in the creative marketplace, which featured more than 50 local artisans showing off and selling their wares. Attendees also had the opportunity to taste Durham Region’s fine food, prepared by chefs from area restaurants who are contributing to Durham Region’s growing culinary tourism sector.

The day culminated with the presentation of the Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards (DATCA), which celebrated people and businesses that are contributing to the growth of the creative economy in Durham Region. The award statues, which were designed by local artist Edward Falkenberg, were presented to winners by Roger Anderson, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer for Durham Region.

The following winners were recognized at the ceremony:

• The 25 of 25 street pARTy in Uxbridge (Best collaboration between business, the arts and community).
• The Driftwood Theatre Group’s Bard’s Bus Tour (Best entertainment in any medium).
• The Reflection Park in Port Perry (Best use of art and artists to advance social and environmental sustainability).
• Jane Eccles – Overlap exhibit (Best story about Durham Region in any medium).

To learn more about the award winners and the projects that earned them this recognition, as well as to view a list of all nominees, please visit www.artoftransition.ca. All nominees were also recognized and presented with a lapel pin—a sculpted, small-scale version of the DATCA statue.

For more information about the Durham Tourism Summit and Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards, visit www.artoftransition.ca or call 1-800-413-0017.

An independent judging panel of community leaders reviewed 34 nominations and selected the following award recipient, based on the impact of the contribution, as well as factors such as uniqueness, effectiveness, influence, and sustainability.

Best story about Durham Region in any medium

This award is given to an account of an event or series of events inspired by, or dedicated to, Durham Region. The winner of this award is Jane Eccles.

In fall 2011, Durham Region artist Jane Eccles presented a collection of her work at Whitby’s Station Gallery in an exhibition titled Overlap. Overlap highlighted exceptional moments in the lives of women, from Durham Region and beyond, through clothing and life stories in a series of paintings. The stories of these women, told through Overlap, travelled around the world under the leadership of Eccles. In addition to local media coverage, Eccles and her exhibition were featured on the front page of the Toronto Star, as well as on CBC radio programming that was carried in Cantonese to China—a first for a living Canadian artist. Eccles shone a bright light, not only her work and the stories of the women who inspired them, but on Durham Region, showcasing it as a valuable arts and culture hub on a global scale.

An independent judging panel of community leaders reviewed 34 nominations and selected the following award recipient, based on the impact of the contribution, as well as factors such as uniqueness, effectiveness, influence, and sustainability.

Best use of art and artists to advance social and environmental sustainability

This award recognizes any creative designed to advance social and environmental sustainability in Durham Region. The winner of this award is The Reflection Park, accepted by Bonnie Thomson and Marg Snider-McGrath.

The Reflection Park, Port Perry’s first public art project, was a collaborative endeavour that combined the ideas, energy and talent of the Township of Scugog’s youth and community supporters to encourage citizenship, volunteering and the preservation of green space. The Reflection Park transformed an unused green space in Port Perry into an inspirational garden, which is a public area for residents and tourists to enjoy. The Reflection Park is comprised of a stone mosaic created by more than 2,000 elementary students, landscaping designed by students, and plaques with reflective statements (written by students) to promote good citizenship. The project has a lasting legacy, as students have been instilled with a sense of ownership and pride, and the space is used as an outdoor classroom for educators in the Township of Scugog.

An independent judging panel of community leaders reviewed 34 nominations and selected the following award recipient, based on the impact of the contribution, as well as factors such as uniqueness, effectiveness, influence, and sustainability.

Best entertainment in any medium

This award is presented to a form of entertainment, which does not have to relate to the Region of Durham in any way, but must be conceived and developed by a resident of Durham Region. The winner of this award is The Driftwood Theatre Group’s Bard’s Bus Tour, accepted by Artistic Director and General Manager D. Jeremy Smith.

The Driftwood Theatre Group started more than 16 years ago as a small, Durham-based company and has since grown into a province-wide, professional theatre production group. The Bard’s Bus Tour is the Driftwood Theatre Group’s flagship work, as they host summer productions of Shakespeare works in more than 25 different communities across Ontario for pay-what-you-can admission. Thus, providing accessible, professional theatre for everyone. Driftwood Theatre Group remains true to its Durham roots by hosting 25 per cent of its performances within the Region, and remains an important piece of Durham’s cultural community.

An independent judging panel of community leaders reviewed 34 nominations and selected the following award recipient, based on the impact of the contribution, as well as factors such as uniqueness, effectiveness, influence, and sustainability.

Best collaboration between business, the arts and community

This award promotes co-operation and collaboration between independent artists and traditional business owners. The winner of this award is The 25 on 25 street pARTy (a collaboration of Uxbridge Studio Tour artists and the Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts committee), accepted by organizers Fly Freeman, Shelley Macbeth and Lynn Bishop.

The Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts is an annual arts and culture festival that takes place in the Township of Uxbridge. In recognition of the festival’s 25th anniversary, organizers planned a large street party featuring 25 art-themed events on Sept. 25, in conjunction with Culture Days. The event fostered new relationships between businesses in downtown Uxbridge and the arts community, as local artists were teamed up with businesses to produce unique, interactive art-themed events. More than 1,200 people attended the event and more artist events have taken place in businesses in Uxbridge since the event took place in 2010.

We’d like to say thank you to Bernard Leroux of North Light Pictures for all the beautiful videos he has produced for The Art of Transition Tourism Summit and Creative Awards. Click here to watch them all.

Original artwork donated by Antony’s Gallery.
905-665-5977
131 Brock Street South
Whitby, Ontario
L1N 4J9

Original artwork donated by Antony’s Gallery.
905-665-5977
131 Brock Street South, Whitby, Ontario L1N 4J9

Join us November 25th for this daylong celebration of Durham Region’s creative economy, showcasing our rich culture and history, dynamic attractions, and innovative business community. Part of the celebration will be a silent auction with funds raised going to the Art of Transition Culture Fund. Click here for more details on the silent auction.

www.Central Counties.ca

The Central Counties bring together three historic areas of Ontario – The Hills of Headwaters, York Region, and Durham Region – rich with museum-calibre art, top-rated golf courses and acclaimed cuisine that uses the freshest local ingredients.

The call for award submissions was put out in early September. The DATCA committee received many submissions from local artists for the commission of the statue design. Falkenberg was selected by a committee of volunteers from the arts community in Durham Region as the successful artist to design the awards statue.

Falkenberg, an honours graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design, has lived in Claremont, a hamlet of Pickering, with his wife since 1968. For more than 40 years, he has been producing art for public spaces around the world, including the Canadian Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; the prestigious Bretton Place Apartments in Toronto; the Pickering Town Centre mall in Pickering; and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) campus in Oshawa.

The DATCA statue will be the second award statue in Durham Region designed by Falkenberg—he is commissioned annually by the Rouge Valley Health System to produce an original sculpture for the recipient of the Howard Sokolowsky Award for outstanding support of the Ajax-Pickering Hospital.

An active member of the arts and culture scene in Durham Region, Falkenberg initiated the development of a public art centre in west Durham Region. This concept grew into the Durham West Arts Centre, which opened in 2004.

DATCA statues will be engraved with the recipient’s name, award category and year, and are being manufactured by Omachron Science Inc.

AWARD SPONSORS

MEDIA SPONSORS

CREATIVE SPONSORS

COMMUNITY SPONSORS

The DATCA honour people and businesses that promote creativity, innovation and collaboration in Durham Region. Four DATCA statues will be awarded to winners in the following categories:

• Best collaboration among business, the arts and the community.
• Best story about Durham Region in any medium.
• Best entertainment in any medium.
• Best use of art and artists to advance social and environmental sustainability.

Statues will be engraved with the recipient’s name, award category and year. The DATCA is a community-driven initiative to celebrate and promote the creative economy in Durham Region, led by a committee of community members.

For more information about DATCA, please visit www.artoftransition.ca.

IAN ROSS

Chief Executive Officer, Whitby Public Library

DAVID PRUSINSKI

Vice President, U.S. Sales Complete Innovations Inc.

JOANNE BURGHARDT

Editor-in-Chief, Metroland Durham Region Media Group

SHARON KENNEDY

Executive Director, Central Counties Tourism

DON TERRY

Director, Nuclear Public Affairs, Ontario Power Generation

WAYNE CONRAD

Chief Scientist, Omachron Founder, Planet Earth Initiative

JONATHON KOTSOPOULOS

Grade 11 Student, J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate

Durham Region is a firm believer in the power of our creative sector to help fuel a vibrant economy and thriving tourism industry. Our cultural, artistic, culinary and heritage resources are also a vital foundation for the remarkable quality of community life we enjoy.

The day’s program is designed to inform, inspire and invite you to get involved. It will showcase our diverse creative economy and the many cultural resources at our fingertips, highlighting opportunities for innovation and collaboration. At the interactive marketplace you can, literally, get a taste of great things produced in Durham.

The evening will recognize and celebrate the outstanding creative partnerships and artistic minds of this Region with our first annual awards presentation.

We would be delighted if you could join us!

Yours truly,
Roger Anderson
Regional Chair and CEO
905-668-7711

Creative Marketplace will feature a wide variety of hand made, one of a kind creative goods: Painted and drawn wall-hung work, eco-friendly, up-cycled wares, clothing, jewelry, stained glass, accessories, and knitted wares, silk-screened T-shirts and hoodies, clothing, books, toys, the gift of music and more!

Here is just a sampling of the artisans you can expect to meet:

• Alana McClure: Photography
• Albert Mueller: Abstract landscape painter
• Antony’s Gallery: Fine Art Originals and picture framing
• Anne Labelle-Johnson & Tony Johnson Blue: Willow Studios
• Catherine Mills
• Erin Elliott: ‘OshaWhat’ NEW alternative magazine
• J & C Stained Glass
• Jeanetteka: Art Glass Jewels
• Kirsty Naray: Handmade glass beads and jewelry
• Green House: Home of Kniterary, Hedgehog Stitchery and Soul Xpression
• Lianne Snow: Up-cycled jewelry and accessories
• Marilyn Whitbread: Fibre Artist
• McGowan: Art Watercolour and Acrylic works
• Monique Ra Brent: Acrylic, oil and wood burning
• Pamela Meacher: Painter and award-winning author
• Sally Grande: Creative Carrot Fine Art
• Sandra B. Saunders: Mixed Media Artist
• Sexy Lady Finery: Hand-painted T-Shirts, fine art, buttons and more.
• Steven Joseph Brown: Author of ‘Window Pain’, ‘A Living Prayer’, ‘Seasons of the Soul’, and ‘By a Cat’s Whisker’
• Tom Conaty: Utopia Woodturning

He is the Chief Executive Officer of Sharma Leadership International Inc., a widely respected leadership development firm that has helped over four million people in 50 countries, along with clients such as Nike, FedEx, IBM, GM, Microsoft, Kraft Foods, KPMG and Panasonic, and organizations such as NASA and YPO get to their next level of world-class.

Robin is one of the most in-demand speakers in the world, frequently sharing the stage with individuals such as Bill Clinton, Jack Welch, Stephen Covey, Ken Blanchard, Deepak Chopra and Dr. Phil.

A former litigation lawyer, holding two law degrees including a Masters of Law, Robin is also a leading executive coach, having worked with billionaires, major CEOs and celebrity entrepreneurs.

As CEO of Robin Sharma Films Inc., Robin has also become a filmmaker. The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari is being made into a major motion picture.

A former lawyer, he quit his job and self-published a book at a Kinko’s copy shop. Robin’s first seminar was attended by 23 people — 21 of whom were his family members. His second book, Letters From The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, was also originally self-published until former Harper Collins president Ed Carson discovered Robin in a bookstore.

The book, and the series has become one of Canada’s most successful publishing franchises as sales near 250,000 copies sold in Canada alone. Robin’s books are read by CEOs, political leaders, homemakers, movie stars, pop stars, sports celebrities and people from all walks of life.

Please click here to purchase tickets – $30 +hst.

Sponsored by Central Counties Tourism
Emcee: Kerri King, Tourism Manager, Region of Durham
Welcome: Mayor John Henry, City of Oshawa
Opening Remarks: Kathy Weiss, Director, Economic Development & Tourism, Region of Durham

Bill is an original thinker and doer. His presentation takes us on a humorous autobiographical journey that deals with overcoming disabilities, with creativity, problem solving, team work, risk management and above all the human relationship with the planet . His Presentation includes images and descriptions of how several works of art came to be – from his first landscape sculpture, a replica of the Lunar lander that Neil Armstrong used to land on the moon … to a full-scale replica of Stonehenge from crushed cars and the larger-than-life Iron buffalo created for the 3D IMAX film the last Buffalo. It’s not so hard to believe that this is the same man who designed and built a 2700 square foot, 21st century earth-integrated domed home, located in southern Ontario, which has been featured in many media stories for its innovative earth ethical design.

Bill finally tells the incredible story of how he earned the name “Father Goose” by imprinting a flock of Canada geese to follow the ultralight plane he designed and built. He reviews how this process, has led to the restoration of an easterly flock the highly endangered Whooping crane, Jeff Daniels who plays Lishman in the Columbia pictures 1996 feature film Fly Away Home says, “with Lishman idea is a verb”.

Join us for this daylong celebration of Durham Region’s creative economy, showcasing our rich culture and history, dynamic attractions, and innovative business community. Members of the public from Durham Region and beyond are invited to discover all Durham has to offer through an interactive marketplace of tradeshow booths, culinary samplings, arts, culture and heritage displays, presentations and more. The day kicks off with a special presentation and book signing with Robin Sharma. Don’t miss the Tourism Industry Speaker Series and Artisan’s Alley. The day will wrap up with the presentation of the inaugural Art of Transition Creative Awards. Find out more information »

A graduate of Guelph University, Michael obtained a BS. In zoology and a MSc in Animal Science specialization elephant nutrition.

Having trained hundreds of animals from ants to elephants,
Michael has provided zoological expertise for film productions, television and the entertainment industry world wide.

A member of the World Wildlife Fund’s 200 Canadians, Michael is an ardent conservationist. He lives at the zoo with his wife and veterinarian Wendy and two teenage boys, Kurt and Dirk.

Event a chance to ‘showcase the creative economy’

The Durham Tourism Summit and Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards is being held at UOIT and Durham College, and it’s a chance to “showcase the creative economy in Durham and to celebrate the creative economy,” Kerri King says.

Click here to read more via durhamregion.com.

Donna Zuchlinski is Manager of Film and Film Commissioner with the Ontario Media Development Corporation, an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture that supports the province’s creative media industries, which include film and television, books, interactive digital media, magazines and music. One of the busiest film and television production centres in North America, this industry contributed almost one billion dollars in direct expenditures to the provincial economy in 2010.

Donna is responsible for the operations of the Provincial Film Commission, which provides location scouting and facilitation services to productions, both domestic and foreign, interested in filming in Ontario. She also leads the marketing efforts for the Toronto and Ontario film industry at home and abroad. A key marketing tool for the Commission is the award-winning Digital Locations Database, an on-line searchable database containing digital photographic files for over 9,000 filming locations representing 200,000 individual images, including many popular filming sites in Durham Region.

Panelist: BRIAN MALCOLM, Executive Director, Parkwood – National Historic Site

Brian has been Executive Director at Parkwood for nearly two decades. With a background that includes arts administration, municipal culture & recreation planning, and hospitality, Brian enjoys the challenges of site
conservation and development at one of Canada’s last grand estates.

The estate is owned by The Parkwood Foundation, a not-forprofit charitable organization. Brian has been extensively involved in long-term preservation and fundraising at Parkwood, working with a dedicated corps of staff and volunteers.

Location filming has been an important aspect of operations at Parkwood throughout Brian’s tenure. Filming brings much needed revenue support and generates excitement for the community. Filming impacts can be enormous on a significant heritage site, and Parkwood has built a large base of experience which it shares readily through presentations to organizations like Ontario Media Development Corporation, Ontario Museum Association, National Historic Sites Alliance for Ontario and Conservation Studies at Sir Sanford Fleming College, and through consultations with other museum sites.

Greg Murphy, Dean of Media Art and Design at Durham College talks about the importance of finding a collective vision, talking to each other and listening effectively, as well as bringing people together to recognize the value of every other person in the community.

Join Us for the Art of Transition Summit and Creative Awards, a complimentary day-long celebration of Durham Region’s creative economy, showcasing our rich culture and history, dynamic attractions, and innovative business community.

Don Terry, manager of public affairs for Ontario Power Generation, talks about the broad depth of culture in Durham Region and the importance of celebrating the region’s artistic, business and cultural achievements.

Join Us for the Art of Transition Summit and Creative Awards, a complimentary day-long celebration of Durham Region’s creative economy, showcasing our rich culture and history, dynamic attractions, and innovative business community.

He has a degree in Advertising Design from Syracuse and runs a design firm that sells creative services, but Barry hasn’t owned a TV since 2001. He gets his news from sources that require less filtering.

Barry believes brands (and all our endeavors are brands) are increasingly being measured by what people say about them, not what they say about themselves. That brands become more relevant by moving the needle on issues that matter to their communities. That people notice, trust and evangelize for brands that are ON a mission and filter those who simply HAVE a mission. That marketing today means building relationships from within which you will sometimes sell. That, as the best brands have always known, earned word of mouth is more influential than interruptive media. That the speed and convenience with which people share information today is a boon to those who “get it”, and bane to those who don’t. And that all marketing is either social or anti-social.

In her previous role with Taste the County™ – Prince Edward County’s DMO, Rebecca became passionate about agriculture, tourism, arts and culture and their interrelation. During her nine years with Taste the County™, she was instrumental in the development and management of tourism products including the award winning Taste Trail, annual TASTE! a celebration of regional cuisine, the Arts Trail, Countylicious events and the buy-local program Harvestin’ the County.

Rebecca designed and developed several courses for George Brown College’s cutting edge Culinary Tourism Management program which launched in 2009.  She holds positions on the Boards of the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation Town & Country Committee, Terroir Hospitality Conference and Slow Food Canada.

Throughout his career he has gained experience through hotels, fine dining restaurants, institutional kitchens, and private clubs. David has taken several courses through the Culinary Institute of America and when he’s not in the kitchen he enjoys working on his farm, participating in ice carving competitions and building furniture in his wood shop.

Moderator: JEFF BROOKS, Principal Planner Regional Municipality of Durham

LOUISA MURSELL, Project Manager, Welcome Cyclists Network

Louisa has been working on sustainable, green and new tourism initiatives for a number years. Most recently she has been responsible for launching the Welcome Cyclist Network in 2010, workshops series and program administration. Having worked on special projects for Transportation Options since 2008, as the Greenbelt Express and Operations Manager for the Bike Train Initiative and Assistant Coordinator of the Ontario Cycle Tourism Forum, she brings much knowledge of the cycle tourism industry in Ontario to this project. Louisa holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo.

ELEANOR MCMAHON, President and Founder, Share the Road

Eleanor McMahon has spent most of her career as a communications, government relations and marketing professional. Her work includes senior roles in the private, public and non-for profit sectors. She spent the early part of her career on Parliament Hill in roles of increasing responsibility including that of Press Secretary to the Right Honorable Jean Chrétien.

Most recently, following the death in 2006 of her husband, OPP Sergeant Greg Stobbart —who was killed by a motorist who had been convicted five times for driving under suspension. In November 2008, Ms. McMahon was successful in getting “Greg’s Law” tabled in the Ontario legislature as part of a larger Road Safety Bill, Bill 126. The legislation, which passed on April 22nd 2009. Greg’s Law came into force on December 1, 2010. McMahon has been working to engineer legislative change in Ontario and is leading the development of a provincial, grassroots cycling advocacy organization in Ontario — the Share the Road Cycling Coalition. The Coalition was launched in 2008, and since 2010 she has worked as its CEO on a full-time basis.
The Share the Road Cycling Coalition was created to unite cycling organizations from across Ontario and works with and on behalf of municipalities to enhance their ability to make their communities more bicycle-friendly.

MELISSA CLAXTON-OLDFIELD, President, Oshawa Cycling Club

Melissa lives in Clarington and grew up in Bowmanville. Married with two children, she has run a local healthcare business for the last 18 years. Most recently, however, she foudned a cycle touring company which is set to begin tours in 2012.

She’s always had a love for keeping active and travelling, whether it be hiking, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing and most of all cycling. In 2006, she joined the Oshawa Cycling club and learned a lot about cycling and the fabulous country roads, villages and hamlets in the Durham Region and with this, the issues that cyclist’s face. She joined joined the executive team of the Oshawa Cycling Club as a Director and most recently in 2009 as President. An active cyclist she clocks nearly 10,000 kilometres a year locally and loves to cycle in Quebec, US and Europe.

Steven has developed cultural tourism strategies for three Canadian provinces: BC, Ontario, and PEI. Most recently he authored, A Tapestry of Place: Whistler’s Cultural Tourism Development Strategy, designed to help North America’s pre-eminent ski destination diversify its tourism offering through place-based cultural tourism. In addition, Steven helped to develop Packaging the Potential – the Canadian Tourism Commission’s national business strategy for cultural heritage tourism.

Committed to cultural tourism education as well as its practice, Steven teaches the course, “Cultural Tourism: Realizing the Opportunity”, offered through the Cultural Resource Management Program at the University of Victoria. In addition, he is the principal author of the 100-page manual, Building Place: Planning & Developing a Creative Cultural Destination, for the course of the same title offered through the Bonavista Institute of Cultural Tourism, in Bonavista, Newfoundland. He is a regular guest lecturer in the Graduate Program in Tourism Policy and Planning at the University of Waterloo.

Steven works independently and in association with Toronto-based TCI Management Consultants and Edinburgh-based TEAM Tourism Consulting.

Tickets are $30 + HST. Price includes a light breakfast and a copy of best-selling author Robin Sharma’s new hardcover book Letters From The Monk Who Sold His Ferarri, compliments of Dagmar Resort. Please click here to purchase tickets, or call 1-800-413-0017 for more information.

Jacquie Severs, manager of communications and social media for the Robert McLaughlan Gallery, discusses benefits of being creative in Durham Region. Here, young artists and entrepreneurs can be close to the booming cultural center of Toronto, while still enjoying a measure of space and affordability.

Price includes a light breakfast and a copy of bestselling author Robin Sharma’s new hardcover book Letters From The Monk Who Sold His Ferarri, compliments of Dagmar Resort. Please click here to purchase tickets, or call 1-800-413-0017 for more information.

Greg Murphy, Dean of Media Art and Design at Durham College talks about the importance of finding a collective vision, talking to each other and listening effectively, as well as bringing people together to recognize the value of every other person in the community.

The Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards (DATCA) are a new expression of corporate and civil citizenship in Durham Region, designed to engage creativity, innovation and collaboration in Durham Region’s business community. By building on the momentum from the 2009 Art of Transition Symposium, the awards will continue to grow Durham Region’s creative economy – including large corporations, small- and medium-sized enterprises, non-profit organizations and government – by celebrating creative minds in Durham Region.

The Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards (DATCA) are a new expression of corporate and civil citizenship in Durham Region, designed to engage creativity, innovation and collaboration in Durham Region’s business community. By building on the momentum from the 2009 Art of Transition Symposium, the awards will continue to grow Durham Region’s creative economy – including large corporations, small- and medium-sized enterprises, non-profit organizations and government – by celebrating creative minds in Durham Region.

The Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards (DATCA) are a new expression of corporate and civil citizenship in Durham Region, designed to engage creativity, innovation and collaboration in Durham Region’s business community. By building on the momentum from the 2009 Art of Transition Symposium, the awards will continue to grow Durham Region’s creative economy – including large corporations, small- and medium-sized enterprises, non-profit organizations and government – by celebrating creative minds in Durham Region.

Michael Patrick, the president and general manager of the Bowmanville Foundry, talks about his business and the creative challenges and rewards of artistic innovation in his industry.

James Campbell, executive director of the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington, talks about the creative and artistic opportunities offered in the Bowmanville Mill, a historic 1905 building.

James discusses the importance of artistic expression and creativity and its positive impact on our daily lives.

Kathy Weiss, director of economical development and tourism for the Region of Durham, discusses the Art of Transition and encouraging a prosperous economy by transitioning from industry to a creative economy.

Lisa Endersby, the student experience advisor at the Student Experience Center at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, discusses how powerfully vital a creative mind is in today’s demanding and competitive business environment.

The DATCA, to be held on Nov. 25, is a community-driven initiative to celebrate and promote the creative economy in Durham Region. Five awards will be presented to citizens of Durham Region who are making a positive impact in the community via arts, culture and creativity. The DATCA is led by a committee of community members and is a spin-off initiative of the Art of Transition symposium held by Durham Tourism in November 2009.

Intended to be an iconic symbol of Durham Region culture, the three-dimensional DATCA statue will be awarded to these five DATCA winners.

The selected artist will be awarded $2,500 for the statue design concept and any pre-fabrication costs (if applicable). This cash prize has been made possible through DATCA community sponsorships.

The proposed design must be able to be reproduced or cast in a limited edition of 41 through foundry or other pre-determined method.

• The statue mold (if applicable) becomes property of DATCA and will be used for subsequent years of the awards program.
• Designs must not exceed 14 inches in height
• An allocation of space at the base of the award must be left to indicate the title and winner of the category, along side the DATCA logo.
• Copyright will remain with the artist with promotional and publicity rights granted to DACTA.
• The selected artist will be credited on all publicity and promotional use of the image
• Submitting artists and designers must reside in Durham Region and must not be an employee of the Region of Durham or a member or family member of the DACTA Awards Committee.
• Artists may enter submissions until Oct. 7.

To enter, submit an artist’s statement, resume, either a printed package or up to ten digital images of drawings or sketches of the proposed work (do not submit original work). Include technical information including medium, finished size, fabrication information, specifications and a quote of reproduction costs. If submitting digitally, images should be in jpeg format should include three-dimensional. Emails should not exceed 5mb in total size.

Entries must be submitted to the DATCA committee, c/o Jacquie Severs, chair Marketing and Communications Committee:

Jacquie Severs
JSevers@rmg.on.ca
72 Queen Street, Civic Centre, Oshawa ON

What was your inspiration behind this piece of artwork?: “The Burst” was inspired by Oshawa’s annual Peony Festival – the beauty of seeing more than 6,000 beautiful peonies of all different colours, all in one place. I look forward to it every year.

How does living in Durham Region inspire you?: I have lived in Durham Region since 1987 and find there is inspiration for any artist living here. I go to Frenchman’s Bay in Pickering almost every day to watch the sunrise and paint.

What does THE ART OF TRANSITION mean to you?: Everything creative is spiritual. Whether it is music, art, or other creative form, it is important to support and expand on it in our community, because it promotes spiritual well being among those who live here. Those who are in tune with their creativity and spirituality will live a good life, making Durham Region a great place to live.

This spring, I had the pleasure of attending the Station Gallery in Whitby for Overlap, an exhibition by Durham Region artist Jane Eccles.

Her art was stunning, and as I browsed the gallery, it got me thinking about how important it is to have creative spaces, such as the Station Gallery, to integrate art and culture into our community.

Art gives our youth an outlet for expression and helps them develop a sense of community. Festivals bring the community together to celebrate our heritage. Music connects the generations to enjoy the talent we have here, from the Ontario Philharmonic Orchestra to The Stables.

All of these things give us, as residents of Durham Region, a high quality of life, which cannot be taken for granted. But there is another important thing that the arts and culture community brings to Durham Region: jobs.

Did you know that Ontario’s creative industry boasts 300,000 jobs? In fact, Ontario is the third largest creative cluster in North America, falling behind only New York and California.

If you’re involved with the Art of Transition movement, you already know that Durham Region is a part of that creative cluster. We have respected galleries, public art, a vibrant music scene and dozens of heritage sites that showcase our culture. We have restaurateurs serving local food furthering the positive economic impact on our local agricultural industry.

We have Durham College’s School of Media, Art & Design, and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT)’s many digital media programs, which educate thousands of creative people each year. Last year, two UOIT students had the opportunity to work on a video game spawned by one of the most commercially successful movies of all time, Avatar. Durham Region’s creative community is doing big things.

In this issue of Transitions, you will read about how Jonas the tiger, and several other animals from the Bowmanville Zoo, have been featured in Hollywood films. Many popular movies, including X-men and Chicago, as well as countless television shows have been filmed right here in Durham Region. Every $1 million of film and television production in Durham Region generates 24 full-time direct or spin-off jobs; more good news for our local economy.

To tie it all together, we have the Art of Transition (AOT) movement fostering collaboration within Durham Region’s creative economy. This movement made us look at arts and culture in a different way in the midst of an economic downturn. Creative thinkers from all facets of the economy came together to connect and brainstorm new ideas, foster partnerships and welcome new opportunities for transitioning Durham Region into a new, creative economy.

As the economy continues to recover, the AOT movement is evolving into a means to celebrate and promote Durham Region’s creative people and places. By honouring AOT ambassadors, we will continue to promote Durham Region’s innovative culture, and create more good-paying jobs in our community.

Roger Anderson, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer
The Regional Municipality of Durham

The Ontario Philharmonic Orchestra, gracefully conducted by Marco Parisotto, gave a remarkable musical performance, Let’s Tango. Prior to the main event, guests enjoyed a VIP reception to celebrate the launch of the Art of Transition Culture Fund, created by the Durham Community Foundation, in an effort to create a lasting source of support for arts and culture in Durham Region.

To find out more, visit www.durhamcommunityfoundation.ca.

1. Will McGuirk and Sita Gardner, Tourism Co-ordinator, Region of Durham.
2. Janet Georgieff, Executive Director, Durham Community Foundation; Alex Georgieff, Commissioner of Planning and Economic Development, Region of Durham and Mayor John Henry, City of Oshawa.
3. Hi-Sook Barker, artist.
4. Consul General of Argentina, Ambassador Julio Miller; Deputy Consul General of Argentina, Counsellor German Dominguez; Kerri King, Manager of Tourism, Region of Durham and Chuck Byers, wine connoisseur.
5. Paula and Dan Carter, Day of Hope and Leadership.
6. Sue Sutcliffe, A Web That Works and Shirley Heard, artist.
7. Anne Johnson, artist.

Since 2008, we’ve focused on building connections in the local community to raise the profile of Ontario Shores. We work in collaboration with Station Gallery and Robert McLaughlin Gallery, O’Neill Secondary School, art councils and artists. These partners, along with volunteers, were instrumental in shaping the program in relation to both community and mental health interests.

Our goal was to raise awareness about mental health and to reduce stigma. Our objectives were to facilitate and support the development of emerging artists; to recognize established artists in Ontario; and to provide our patients, staff, family and visitors with a creative space to visit.

The annual juried art show, held in May, targets contemporary art by presenting artworks of local and emerging artists. This show is also an opportunity for people with mental illness to engage in wider social interaction and showcase their works.

Our other annual juried art show, held in October, helps individuals with mental illness move forward through the medium of visual art in their journey of recovery. We believe having a sense of hope is a cornerstone of recovery from mental illness, and the gallery was created to support the recovery model at Ontario Shores.

The Ontario Shores Gallery sees the connection between art in mental health, and the art shows are paving an important path between Ontario Shores and community support and participation. The gallery encourages participants to see themselves as individuals and artists, rather than people with mental health issues.

The gallery organizes many exhibitions throughout the year. Due to such exhibitions, the general awareness and interest in contemporary art has widely developed in Durham Region. Some of the exhibitions in 2009 and 2010 featured established local artists–works by J.R. Hunter, Allan O’Mara, Ruth Greenlaw, Sheri Gundry, Debbie Larson and Steven Frank.

Our third annual art show, Kaleidoscope, opened on May 7 and closes on August 7. I encourage you to stop by and enjoy the work of talented local artists—gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Culture Days events are free, hands-on, interactive activities that invite the public to participate “behind the scenes” and discover the world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators and designers at work in their communities.

More than 38 events in Durham Region last year included studio tours and open houses, art exhibitions, heritage tours, concerts, performances, dance workshops, art lessons, a fashion show and more!

Event organizers should register their event on both www.durhamtourism.ca and www.culturedays.ca to be a part of both local and national marketing campaigns, where events will be promoted in the media and online.

The free festival is July 1 from noon to 6 p.m. at Millennium Square. Organizers are accepting submissions from muscians who would like to perform at the event. Email your mp3 submission to info@musicbythebayfestival.com by May 1.

For more information, visit www.musicbythebayfestival.com.

An open house will be held on Saturday, April. 16, from 1 to 4 p.m at the VAC’s Loft Gallery, located at 143 Simpson Ave. in Bowmanville. http://www.vac.ca

For more information about Laura Hair, please visit: http://art.lmh.googlepages.com

Artists in the Garden is a tour of beautiful gardens in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax with art displayed by local Artists available for purchase.

Musicians throughout the Gardens will enhance the enjoyment. A lunch will be available for purchase.

Last year’s annual Artists in the Garden tour raised over $11,000.00 for Hearth Place. Hundreds of guests ventured out under overcast skies to enjoy touring the stunning gardens while viewing the craftsmanship of numerous artists and enjoying the variety of music from each of the musicians.

For more information, contact:

Donna Arnold Artist Co-ordinator Artists In the Garden Supporting Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre 905-723-4206

Friday April 1, 2011, the RMG is hosting their third event in the FIRST FRIDAY series! It is FREE to attend; the event features a live performance by Hamilton Trading Company and Mandi Byrd and The Beautiful Boys. The evening will also celebrate the closing party for the Friends of the Second March Photo Exhibit at Arthur’s on the 4th.

About Hamilton Trading Company:

Under the direction of Keith Hamilton, Hamilton Trading Company are rock and roll choir that uses clapping, stomping, vocals and a guitar to create the chorus and rhythm section of original music. The collective, usually consisting of 15 members, sing and harmonize in unison to traditional folk songs. Their sound has been described as “hard-working” and “simply voices in unison with one acoustic guitar.”

About Mandi Byrd and The Beautiful Boys:

Mandi Byrd embraced the music scene from a very young age. Along with playing the guitar she has been classically trained in the piano and double base. Now based out of Oshawa, she and her band, The Beautiful Boys, perform their own solo material.

Join us for a Friday Night Art Party for a good cause!

Enjoy art, music, culture and support a good cause; the RMG has partnered with War Child Canada and donations for the event will support their ongoing efforts in working with children all over the world to reduce poverty, to provide education, and to defend their rights.

FIRST FRIDAYS are free to attend. Fundraising is by donation. Doors at 7pm. Cash bar. Performances begin at 7:30. Arthur’s on the 4th is open for dinner 5pm-10pm.

More information about FIRST FRIDAYS is available on: http://www.rmg.on.ca/events-03.asp

The Ontario Philharmonic

By: Lisa Goulet

On Friday, the Ontario Philharmonic Orchestra, gracefully conducted by Marco Parisotto, gave a remarkable musical performance, Let’s Tango, to a full house at the historical Regent Theatre in Oshawa on March 25. The two-hour symphony featured music of Astor Piazzolla, The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires and Piotr Tchaikovsky’s, Serenade- an exuberant masterpiece played with spontaneous fervour.

Soloists, Leslie Newman on flute, and violinist Stephanie Chase, were simply charming and their talent enchanted the audience note by note. Newman and Chase’s addition to the musical performance blew me away, pulled on my heartstrings, and left me with untameable goosebumps.

Prior to the main event, guests were invited to a V.I.P. reception to celebrate the launch of the Art of Transition Culture Fund, created by the Durham Community Foundation, in an effort to create a lasting source of support for arts and culture charities in Durham Region. Elegant fine wines were up for the tasting, flushing the cheeks of guests who got to enjoy their subtle hints and sweet aromas! The luscious reds and succulent whites were provided by local wineries, including: Archibald’s, Ocala, Chadsey’s Cairns, Casa-Dea and Keint-He.

The mixture of nature and abstracts on display lent themselves to the minglers and musicians who gazed admiringly at the beautiful artworks of local renowned artists, Karin Isenburg, Anne Johnson, Robert Thackeray, Hi-Sook Barker, and Shirley Heard.

This event certainly had something remarkable for each of our five senses!

If you would like to visit one of Durham’s fine wineries feel free to check out Durham Tourism’s website for more details, or for information on future concerts, you can visit The Ontario Philharmonic online!

Writer Will McGuirk, Artist Steven Frank, Transition's Editor and Durham Tourism's Melissa Bies, and Durham Tourism's Lisa Goulet

This past Friday was the launch of Art of Transition’s fanzine, Transitions Vol. 5, in collaboration with the First Fridays event. The event showcases local music and art at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery. This entire evening was an embodiment of creativity and inspiration in every respect, the food from Arthurs on 4th, the musical performance by Forest City Lovers, and the art exhibit, You May Find Yourself, by artist Peter Smith.

My evening began with dinner. I ordered a “Caesar-Caesar?” and the glazed salmon entrée. The Caesar-Caesar? is the perfect manifestation of a Caesar drink made into a salad complete with celery salt and pickled veggies. I couldn’t help but think of warm summer days on the patio as I indulged in my first bite, the most critical of all bites. The new chef’s menu is original and playful, and continues to encapsulate an elegance that I am sure would silence Durham Region’s harshest food critic.

As the night progressed Forest City Lovers took the stage and mesmerized the audience with their creative melodies. I was hooked to their sound immediately. As a musician and songwriter myself, I could really appreciate the unique vocals, well thought-out lyrics, and deeply felt composition in each song they performed.

I thoroughly enjoyed the exhibit. It was new, inventive and moving. Smith’s artwork is a collaboration of sculpture, oil painting, and assemblage layers, mixed with an assortment of wooden and found items, which represent an expression of his devastated mind, lending viewers a frenzied sence of restlessness. Each piece is charismatic and metaphorical, symbolizing Smith’s “desire to share his reactions to life and impressions of consumerism, industrialism and the rat race,” according to the description on the Robert McLaughlin Gallery’s website, “the work is inevitably tied to his struggle with Schizoaffective Disorder.”

The night as a whole, was nothing short of magnificent. I cannot wait until next month’s First Fridays event on April 1st! For more information on the upcoming First Fridays visit the Robert McLaughlin Gallery’s website.

Q. How does living in Durham Region contribute to this inspiration? Being surrounded by the beautiful countryside of rural Durham Region is a constant inspiration. I farm and raise my livestock here, but also have easy access to various galleries, studios, and Durham’s vibrant art community.

Q. What does the Art of Transition mean to you? The Art of Transition is a fantastic collaboration, bringing together different facets of this creative arts community. It encourages residents and visitors alike to participate in an exciting and ever-expanding artistic adventure.

VIP Reception

Friday, March 25, 2011 | 5:30 p.m. | Regent Theatre, Oshawa
Durham Tourism and friends invite you to this special pre-concert reception at the newly renovated historic Regent Theatre. Taste a selection of fine wines, sample appetizing hors d’oeuvres and enjoy an art showcase featuring renowned local artists.

An opportunity to experience this iconic venue and mingle prior to the fabulous Let’s Tango performance with the Ontario Philharmonic.

Proceeds go towards the Art of Transition Culture Fund.
This reception will serve as the official launch for the Art of Transition Culture Fund, presented by Durham Community Foundation.
“Creating a legacy for the future”

Reception Tickets: $35 each

To purchase tickets, please call 905-579-6711

ONTARIO PHILHARMONIC PRESENTS

Let’s tango

Friday, March 25, 2011 | 7:30 p.m. | Regent Theatre, Oshawa
A sizzling program including the music of Argentinean tango legend Astor Piazzolla. Violinist Erika Dobosiewicz will ignite the fiery music of Piazzolla’s masterwork, The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. The OP’s own Leslie Newman performs the sprightly Flute Concerto by Jim McGrath – Genie and Gemini Award winner, renowned composer of music for film and television. With its charming melodies and enticing dance rhythms, Tchaikovsky’s Serenade will come alive with the strings of the OP. International award-winning Music Director Marco Parisotto takes the reins of Durham’s premiere orchestra for the evening.

Concert Tickets:

Section A: $57 Adult or $53 Senior/Student
Section B: $47 Adult or $43 Senior/Student
Section C: $37 Adult or $33 Senior/Student

To purchase concert tickets, please call the Ontario Philharmonic at 905-579-6711 or visit www.ontariophil.ca.

We put out a call for submissions of one-minute jingles about Durham Region. The winner would receive $500 and perform their jingle live at the Songwriters Music Festival in Whitby on Jan. 29.

The result was 27 diverse entries from entrants of all ages and musical styles, uploaded to YouTube and hosted on www.artoftransition.ca. The entries were judged by representatives from The Regional Municipality of Durham, Economic Development and Tourism Department, along with Ron Beer of the Durham Regional Songwriters Group and local music writer Will McGuirk.

Click here to read about our winner

Eccles has been active in Durham Region’s vibrant art community for 37 years, engaging artists, residents and visitors of Durham Region with public performances and gallery exhibits. A significant amount of Eccles’ stories and artwork represent Durham Region and what she experiences, observes and identifies with in this community.

“I want to paint Canadian things, I want to be regional,” Eccles says, noting her dissimilarity to artists who do not wish to represent where they are from. “Some artists get all bunged out with this regional stamp on their head. I say, ‘bring it on!’ I can’t do Africa or Mexico… I don’t know that stuff! I am about this landscape, I am about this feeling, and I am about these people.”

Eccles is a creative self-promoter, engaging local, national and international media to draw attention to the arts community in Durham Region. Shining a light on Durham’s creative community is important to both Eccles’ personal success as an artist and to our local economy. “It’s a total bag; it’s galleries, concerts, restaurants, artists… It’s the whole picture. You have to have it, or your area is not alive,” states Eccles.

For her upcoming exhibition, Overlap, Eccles disseminated several emails to family, friends and fans, and has engaged media from Nova Scotia to Moosejaw, and beyond! Her efforts even earned her a front-page feature in the Toronto Star. “I know that the way I am using the media is pointing it back to Durham Region,” Eccles says.

Eccles has been recognized for her innovative use of the media and is the first artist to be a recipient of the Marshall McLuhan Award for Distinguished Teaching.

“McLuhan knew the artists punctured into the media,” Eccles says, emphasizing the importance of being innovative, not only in the way she uses media, but also in the way she taught and inspired young creative minds as the Head of Visual Art at Bowmanville High School.

Eccles continues to pass along useful words of advice to any young artist attempting to find their way, “You can’t get dislodged by people with authority who tell you that you’re not doing something right. If it is passionate for you, pursue it.”

Overlap showcases the paintings of dresses that Eccles has been creating for five years. These paintings express the struggles of the women who wore them, and tell the story of how each individual pushed through to overcome their obstacles.

“These women have lived through horrendous things and survived, this is a way of honouring their untold stories of strength, elegance and then renewal in Canada,” Eccles says of the exhibition, which will run from
Feb. 26 until April 10 at the Whitby Station Gallery.

From Left: Artist Jane Eccles, Durham Tourism's Lisa Goulet and Station Gallery's Marketing Coordinator Jessica Vreugdenhil

By: Lisa Goulet

About a month ago I had the privilege of interviewing local artist, Jane Eccles, for the Art of Transitions zine, Transitions Vol. 5. While talking to Jane I learnt a significant amount about her work, passion for the arts, and history in Durham Region.

During our interview I asked Jane about her motivation for her upcoming exhibition, Overlap, which features 45 vintage dress paintings that she has been creating over the last five years.

“I wanted to create beautiful paintings, evidence of the lives of beautiful women who fought continually to live gracious successful lives,” Jane said.

On Saturday, Feb. 26, I went to the grand opening of Overlap at the Station Gallery to view the paintings I had now heard so much about. As I walked through the event, and looked at the accompanying vintage dresses that Jane had painted, her words ran through my head, “In this piece of cloth, I know this once existed,” and to me, they brought to life the paintings and corresponding stories in a very real way.

Although I was only able to stay for a couple hours, I was lucky to have a personal guide, Station Gallery’s Marketing Coordinator, Jessica Vreugdenhil, to show me around, share her experience with the exhibition and enlighten me with an interesting history lesson on the gallery itself. I also got to speak with Jane for a moment, and get a picture with her and my favourite painting, Annemarie’s dress. I definitely recommend you check out this beautifully crafted exhibit!

If you are interested in more information about Jane or the exhibition, I invite you to order the Art of Transition’s Transitions zine, Volume 5 and take a look at our In Transition Profile featuring Jane. You could also stop by the Robert McLaughlin Gallery’s First Fridays event on March 5 where the Art of Transition will be launching Transitions Vol. 5, to pick up a copy and find out what First Fridays are all about!

Durham Region was the winner in the Industry Communiqué category for the Durham Tourism e-newsletter. This e-newsletter is compiled monthly by staff within both the Economic Development and Tourism Department and the Corporate Communications Office. An environmentally friendly way of communicating with more than 20,000 residents, visitors and industries within Durham Region, the e-newsletter is inclusive of Durham Region’s eight local area municipalities. Content varies based on season, holidays and major events.

“These awards highlight the creativity and hard work that staff has demonstrated in promoting the countless tourism opportunities within Durham Region,” said Regional Councillor Don Mitchell, Chair of the Finance & Administration Committee. “Congratulations to all staff who were involved in each of these outstanding initiatives.”

Honourable mentions in the Business Development–Marketing Utilizing Technology, and Social Media categories were given to www.artoftransition.ca. The website is a collaboration tool for the community, created as a way to continue the momentum from the Art of Transition symposium of November 2009. The website is also the online home of Transitions magazine–a quarterly publication that promotes the creative community in Durham Region–making the publication interactive, by allowing for commenting and social media sharing.

In the Tourism-Publications-Specialty Brochure/Map/Guide category, the Durham Region Trails Guide was also given an honourable mention. This guide is an initiative of The Durham Lives! Trails Committee, consisting of several Durham Region departments, including Economic Development and Tourism, Health and Planning, through the assistance of the Durham Trails Coordinating Committee. The guide features maps of more than 350 kilometres of recreational trails winding through Durham Region, listing trails by municipality and giving a description of their length, surface type, access points, washroom stops and wheelchair accessibility. The trails guide is free and can be ordered online at www.durhamtourism.ca.

“Our honours this year were the result of the teamwork displayed by Durham Region staff, municipal partners, industry stakeholders and suppliers, and others within the community,” said Kerri King, Manager of Tourism. “Being recognized out of hundreds of entries demonstrates that our efforts are effective and make positive impacts to Durham Region’s tourism industry.”

EDCO is Canada’s largest provincial economic development association.  The organization’s goal is to provide a forum to enhance the professional development of its members; advance economic development as a profession; and promote, assist and foster economic development prosperity in Ontario. The Ontario Economic Development Awards took place on Feb. 3 at the Toronto Marriott Eaton Centre Hotel.

Forget flowers or chocolate this Valentine’s Day. Instead, treat yourself or that special someone with registration to Greenbelts: Local Solutions for Global Chalenges. Don’t miss this chance to attend the first ever Global Greenbelts Conference from March 22^nd to March 24^th, 2011 at the Radisson Admiral Hotel. This Conference brings together policymakers, practitioners, and advocates from around the world, while mixing panel discussions and site visits to Ontario’s Greenbelt to highlight the potential of Greenbelts to help manage urban growth, sustain farming and the vibrancy of the surrounding countryside communities, and protect valuable ecosystems.

Within the Netherlands, the four large cities of Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, and The Hague surround a unique landscape, and mainly agricultural area, the Groene Hart or Green Heart. In the 17^th century, parts of the Green Heart were used as a line of defence, whereby a system of locks, dykes, and controlled flooding of the land stopped the enemy from advancing.  In 2003, the Green Heart was declared a National Landscape park.

Dutch speakers at the Conference include:

• Dr. Wim Heijmans, Chair of Regional Economics at Wageningen University, will discuss a stakeholder consultation that integrated willingness to pay as a measure of preference for different scenarios in an area in the Netherlands.
• Cheryl de Boer of the University of Twente will speak about enhancing the connection of remaining natural areas in Dutch rural areas to meet habitat and water quantity and quality goals. Ms. de Boer will discuss the Regee River Restoration project, including the important role played by independent regional water boards.
• Marcel Houtzager, Deputy Mayor of the Leidschendam-Voorburg Municipality, will discuss how the regional governance structure in The Hague peri-urban area is working to ensure protection of prime agricultural and environmentally significant land.

Other Conference highlights include: keynote speaker and world renowned author Margaret Atwood, world leading sketch-based comedy ensemble Second City, and Juno award winning and three time 2011 Juno nominee Sarah Harmer.

Spotlight:

Enjoy a memorable site visit to the Niagara Peninsula’s tender fruit and grape area, one of two specialty crop areas in Ontario. Learn about the history of the region and taste some premium Vinter’s Quality Assurance (VQA) wines matched with delectable locally grown foods. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about the eco-friendly practices of local wineries.

To learn more about this site visit – click http://globalgreenbeltsconference.ca/site-visits

To register now or to learn more visit: www.globalgreenbeltsconference.ca

Individuals, organizations and venues who submitted their event to Durham Tourism enjoyed free promotion for two months leading up to Culture Days. Along with distributing media relations, an online and print ad campaign, an e-newsletter, handouts and other promotional materials listing Culture Days events, Durham Tourism also hosted a launch party on Thursday, Sept. 23. After being welcomed by a drum circle, guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, a display of local art and musical performances by Jeff Leech and the Pepperbox Choir, Sunbear and Derek Giberson.

Culture is alive in Durham Region every day. Culture Days gave us a special opportunity to put that culture in the spotlight and celebrate it with communities right across Canada. Durham was proud to be a part of this movement and already looking forward to next year’s celebration—Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, 2011.

1. Kerri King and Will McGuirk promoting Transitions Vol. 3 2. Muhtadi Drummers 3. Jeff Leech and the Pepperbox Choir 4. Carmyn Thomas and Jacquie Severs 5. A Gift of Art in Newscastle promotes Culture Days 6. Kate Boothman and her band, Sunbear 7. Derek Giberson 8. Uxbridge street pARTy

By embracing Durham Region’s heritage, two cultural hubs are re-opening this season. Combined more than 220 years of heritage will provide premier venues for arts, culture and celebration.

ST. FRANCIS CENTRE FOR COMUNITY, ARTS and CULTURE

We all know that an investment in a creative community contributes substantially to the overall quality of life and vitality of a town. Municipalities are starting to recognize the importance arts, culture and heritage play in the social well-being of our everyday lives, and the impact it has on enriching our community. To that end, the Town of Ajax has launched a very exciting heritage conservation and cultural development project in historic Pickering Village. The former St. Francis de Sales Church is being transformed into the St. Francis Centre, a multi-use community, arts, cultural and performance venue; the first of its kind in west Durham.

Originally constructed in 1871 by Henry Langley, the former church has been returned to its majestic beauty through a careful restoration and renovation process.

Marrying the facility’s heritage architecture with modern design elements, Ajax is seeking to provide a unique place for the community to meet, learn, celebrate and perform. And with features such as a stage, retractable seating for 150 people, bar, catering kitchen, dressing rooms, theatrical light, sound and audio-visual capabilities, the programming possibilities are endless. From live theatre, art exhibitions, film screenings, concerts, and recitals, to corporate and social receptions, business meetings, lectures and workshop space…the St. Francis Centre is poised to become a dynamic destination for urban living and cultural pursuits in Ajax.

The St. Francis Centre provides a tremendous opportunity to respond to stakeholders while creating a decidedly different cultural destination in Ajax. Our hope is that this facility becomes an incubator for the creative community in Ajax and Durham Region, where networks and relationships are forged and projects developed.

By Robert Gruber
Manager of Community and Cultural Development, Town of Ajax

THE HISTORIC REGENT THEATRE

The Regent Theatre was constructed in 1921 by Norman McLeod Ltd., for the Famous Players theatre chain, at a cost of $100,000. The King Street facade was modelled on Georgian architectural lines and it is one of the few remaining examples in Oshawa of this classically inspired architectural style.

Under the headline Regent Theatre credit to city, a story from the Oshawa Daily Reformer in June 1927 proclaimed: “The Regent Theatre in Oshawa stands as a living memorial to its community spirit, and as one of the finest moving picture theatres in Canada.”

Given its historical and architectural significance to Oshawa, in January 2001 the Regent Theatre was designated a historical property under the Ontario Heritage Act.

The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) acquired the Historic Regent Theatre in November 2009 as part of a plan to expand the downtown Oshawa campus. Now restored to its former glory, the Regent Theatre is a spectacular 600-seat lecture hall by day and a community event and performance venue during the evening and on weekends.

Given the theatre’s history, the role it has played in downtown Oshawa and the special attachment the community continues to have for the Regent, UOIT is pleased to share this local gem with the surrounding community and visitors to Oshawa.

By Lisa Banks
Director of Communications and Marketing, UOIT

BROCK
Jay Yerema-Weafer, Magic Door Gallery
“Our society is enriched by art, whether it is in the form of a painting, music, poetry, architecture or even good design principles. When the creative community is empowered, a whole new level of cultural vitality is inspired, socio-economic barriers begin to disappear, uniqueness is celebrated, and new opportunities are created that refine and enhance the quality of life in both urban and rural environments.”

AJAX
Farley Flex, Social Activist and Impresario
“As a resident of Ajax, I am very encouraged by the city’s compatibility with the spirit of the Art of Transition. Ajax’s new Diversity and Community Engagement Plan, “Fostering a Culture of Inclusion,” embraces diversity and inclusiveness in Ajax, an important piece of the Art of Transition. I encourage all residents of Durham to read the plan and see how they can apply its values in their community.”

WHITBY
Donna Raetsen-Kemp, Station Gallery
“There’s a powerful Art of Transition momentum building in Whitby. Important conversations are going on about culture as an untapped economic asset. A cross-sector buzz is building steam. The Art of Transition broke down barriers and opened doors to rev up an exciting new economic engine.”

PICKERING
Don Terry, Ontario Power Generation
“The art of partnerships is an essential component of the Art of Transition. At Ontario Power Generation, we continue partnering and contributing to the momentum. We have the Young Singers rehearsals, as well as Pine Ridge Arts Council and Durham West Arts Council events in our auditorium. We’re also coupling local farm fresh cooking classes with farmers’ markets on our site.”

CLARINGTON
Diane Higgs, Everyday Desktop
“The symposium’s focus on the role of talent and creativity in economic development set in motion a process that has created opportunities for me to collaborate and communicate with a whole new network of artists as contributors to My Durham Desktop. Clarington ambassadors have had the opportunity to brainstorm ideas for future initiatives to both strengthen our artistic community and build the Region’s reputation as a creative hub.”

OSHAWA
Charlotte Hale, Durham College
“The energy for change in Oshawa is amazing one year later! All sectors are taking hold of the opportunity to evolve this city into the dynamic economic and creative engine that it will be. The integration of the educational community into the downtown core is an excellent move, and the cool factor just keeps on growing. Congrats to everyone for their vision and tenacity.”

Left to right: Kristyn Chambers, Kerri King and Marilyn Pearce, former Mayor of the Township of Scugog.

The Art of Transition Symposium received first-place honours at the 2010 Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) Marketing Awards in the Events category. The Art of Transition was chosen as best event from the more than 180 submissions received from across Canada.

Staff of the Regional Municipality of Durham, Economic Development and Tourism department would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all of our community leaders for being a part of the Art of Transition. A year after the symposium, the Art of Transition continues to be a collaboration of Durham Region’s creative thinkers dedicated to addressing our current economic challenges and working collaboratively to evolve Durham Region’s economy.

Durham Community Foundation has created the Art of Transition Culture Fund, the first of its kind in Durham Region. The fund is a permanent endowment for charitable initiatives that help culture thrive in our community.

The Art of Transition Culture Fund will be launched on Friday, March 25, 2011 at the “Let’s Tango” pre-concert reception at the historic Regent Theatre. We hope you can join us.

Local songwriters have the opportunity to be the voice of Durham Tourism. Songwriters – professional or amateur – can submit a one-minute jingle about Durham for a chance to win $500 and perform their jingle live at the Songwriters Music Festival.

Jingles will be judged by Durham Tourism and Ron Beer of the Durham Regional Songwriters Group. The winner will be announced at the Songwriters Music Festival in Whitby at the Whitby Centennial Building on Jan. 29, where the winning jingle will be performed during the opening ceremony. For more information about and to purchase tickets for the Songwriters Music Festival, please click here!

Jingles should be one minute in length, be original compositions and must not infringe on any copyright. Songwriters may opt to use the Durham Tourism “Good Natured, Good Times” slogan or create a new catch phrase.

How to enter:

• Write your jingle and videotape it being performed.
• Upload the video to YouTube.
• Go to www.artoftransition.ca to submit your video before 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 24.

The winning jingle will receive:

• A $500 grand prize ($250 for the songwriter and $250 for the performer).
• National exposure with the opportunity to perform their winning jingle at the Songwriters Music Festival in Whitby on Jan. 29, where songwriters from across Canada will be on hand.
• The jingle may be recorded for use in Durham Tourism marketing campaigns, including “Durham Destinations” segments on Rogers TV Durham.
• An artist profile in an upcoming issue of Transitions magazine.

The Art of Transition Songwriting Competition is now closed. A winner will be announced on Saturday, Jan. 29.

1. Regional Chair and CEO Roger Anderson
2. Audrey Andrews, Tracey Tyner Cavanagh, Pauline Reid
3. Mike Rosenplot, Ryan Howe, Harley Pageot
4. Daniel Knight, Deb Robatille, Ruth Lafarga, Lisa Weiss
5. Joan Bontje, Lesley Kelz, Tammy Gay, Sandy Ravary
6. Dan Carter

More than 120 Durham Region leaders came together on June 22 to explore, share and build on the themes and energy from the November 2009 Art of Transition event.

The “Creative Think Tank” focused on three main areas—small- and medium-sized enterprises, communications and culture.

A few common themes emerged from the discussions, including the need to:

• Engage youth.
• Build on Durham’s current strengths.
• Break down silos.
• Reflect the true nature of Durham.
• Collaborate rather than compete.

Of the three main ideas, specific goals were identified to assist in developing an action plan.
What do small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to remain viable and be innovative?
SME’s need a spirit of inclusion. They need to be connected to each other, to resources and to customers. They also need access to mentors, technology and financing and need to be enabled in order to do what they
do best—create.

How should Durham Region connect and engage its stakeholders?
Successful communications is relevant and effective, two-way and results in unusual and unique partnerships. Effective communications enables many voices.

What will best support a vibrant and sustainable culture within our communities and across Durham Region?
Culture needs to be celebrated and showcased across the Region. People support what they create.

Durham’s Creative Think Tank Mind Map

Developed based on themes and ideas brainstormed at Creative Think Tank. Click here to view a larger version of the image above.

Durham Region Artist, Karen Richardson

Durham Region has joined the ranks of communities ranging from small towns to big cities hosting free, hands-on, interactive arts activities.

Culture Days is a collaborative movement to encourage awareness, participation and engagement of all Canadians in the arts and cultural
life of their communities. Already, we are seeing an amazing response to the campaign with extensive media
coverage, tons of social media buzz and hundreds of volunteers organizing activities. In this first year, there
are more than 500 activities registered across Ontario! Culture Days congratulates Durham Region for the great events scheduled to take place this year, and we look forward to seeing how Culture Days will grow
and flourish in your region.

We invite you to participate in the “behind-the-scenes” world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators, designers… all within your own community. Explore your own creativity and discover the inspiring work that goes on in studios, rehearsal halls, community centres, libraries, parks, theatres, museums and galleries, public squares, or on the downtown streets of Durham Region. Please visit www.culturedays.ca to search for activities in Durham or to check out the movement across the country.

The arts and culture festival is occurring nationwide and will be celebrated by a number of communities across Canada, including Durham Region. For more information, see the events calendar at www.durhamtourism.ca or visit www.culturedays.ca.

• Sharing a Significant Music
  Pickering Library – Pickering
• Multilingual Gallery Tours
  The Robert McLaughlin Gallery – Oshawa
• Community Textile Tree
  Kniterary – Whitby
• Adrenalin: 40 Hour Arts-a-thon**
  Station Gallery – Whitby
• Pass the Book Gala
  Jubilee Pavilion – Oshawa
• Friday Fashion Show
  Isabella’s Chocolate Café – Oshawa
• The Champion Heartache: Indoor Voices CD Release
  Status Lounge – Oshawa
• The Depth of Art**
  A Gift of Art – Newcastle
• Artist Studio/Gallery Open Door**
  Eteli Art Works – Pickering
• Amateur Photography Contest Exhibition**
  McLean Community Centre – Ajax
• “Celebrating Diversity through Art” exhibit **
  Town Hall, Council Chambers Lobby – Ajax

• Glass Studio Open House*
  839 Greystone Crt. – Oshawa
• Karen Richardson Studio Exhibition*
  Karen Richardson Watercolour Studio – Port Perry
• Karen Richardson Open Studio*
  Karen Richardson Watercolour Studio – Port Perry
• Town Art Party 25 Year Celebration
  Downtown – Uxbridge
• Doors Open Oshawa*
  Various Locations – Oshawa
• Saturday Arts in the Park
  Memorial Park – Oshawa
• Walk On! Glen Bensley
  Memorial Park – Oshawa
• Eleven in Motion – Abstract Expressions in Animation
  The Robert McLaughlin Gallery – Oshawa
• Costumed Life Drawing
  The Robert McLaughlin Gallery – Oshawa
• Grandmothers to Grandmothers / COFAA Arts & Craft Sale*
  Pickering Islamic Centre – Pickering
• School Days and Days of Rebellion
  Pickering Museum Village – Pickering
• Believe in You 2010: Youth Talent Showcase
  J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate Theatre Ajax

• Celebration of the Harvest
  Downtown – Port Perry
• The SCA Boardwalk Art Fair
  Palmer Park – Port Perry
• Dance Workshop
  living. the dance company – Brooklin

Notes:
* This event runs both Saturday and Sunday.
** This event runs all weekend long.

Please click image above to see full Mind Map (please be patient, it may take several minutes to load). Full report to follow.

<p><a href="http://www.durham.ca/default.asp?nr=/corpoverview/accessibility/expo/expo.htm&amp;setFooter=/includes/corpFooter.inc" target="_new"><img src="http://www.durham.ca/images/corp/accessibility/expo/CelebratingAbilities.jpg" alt="Accessibility Logo - Celebrating Abilities. Celebrating Life." hspace="10" width="159" height="158" align="left" /></a><strong>Learn about the new law in Ontario  called <em>Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005  (AODA).</em></strong></p>

<p>The Accessibility Expo is the first of its kind in Durham where the Regional  and local municipal Accessibility Advisory Committees have partnered with the  Region of Durham Economic Development &amp; Tourism Department to bring our  community an important event on new legislation, accessibility and  abilities.</p>
<table border="0" width="100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>•</td>
<td>An Accessibility Marketplace will feature over 100 exhibitors showcasing  products and services.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>•</td>
<td>An exciting lineup of extraordinary speakers and performers including:</td>

</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Robert Pio Hajjar</strong>, a charismatic, motivational speaker, who  travels widely as living proof of what is possible when you include and  encourage people with intellectual disabilities.</p>
<p><strong>Dr. Mark Nagler’s</strong> ambition and perseverance is told with  humour that<br />
will motivate.</p>
<p>Speaking from experience, <strong>Paul Rosen</strong>, Paralympic Gold  Medalist &amp; Sledge Hockey Goaltender, joins us to inspire through his story  of courage.</p>

<p>Special performance and speaking engagement by <strong>Justin  Hines</strong>&#8230; his words and music will move you.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.durham.ca/default.asp?nr=/corpoverview/accessibility/expo/expo.htm&amp;setFooter=/includes/corpFooter.inc" target="_new">Click here for more information</a></p>

Learn about the new law in Ontario called Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).

The Accessibility Expo is the first of its kind in Durham where the Regional and local municipal Accessibility Advisory Committees have partnered with the Region of Durham Economic Development & Tourism Department to bring our community an important event on new legislation, accessibility and abilities.

Click here for registration form. For more information, or if you require the registration form in another format, please contact Tracey Tyner Cavanagh at 1-800-372-1102 ext. 2103.

<p><a href="http://www.durham.ca/default.asp?nr=/corpoverview/accessibility/expo/expo.htm&amp;setFooter=/includes/corpFooter.inc" target="_new"><img src="http://www.durham.ca/images/corp/accessibility/expo/CelebratingAbilities.jpg" alt="Accessibility Logo - Celebrating Abilities. Celebrating Life." hspace="10" width="159" height="158" align="left" /></a><strong>Learn about the new law in Ontario  called <em>Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005  (AODA).</em></strong></p>

<p>The Accessibility Expo is the first of its kind in Durham where the Regional  and local municipal Accessibility Advisory Committees have partnered with the  Region of Durham Economic Development &amp; Tourism Department to bring our  community an important event on new legislation, accessibility and  abilities.</p>
<table border="0" width="100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>•</td>
<td>An Accessibility Marketplace will feature over 100 exhibitors showcasing  products and services.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>•</td>
<td>An exciting lineup of extraordinary speakers and performers including:</td>

</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong>Robert Pio Hajjar</strong>, a charismatic, motivational speaker, who  travels widely as living proof of what is possible when you include and  encourage people with intellectual disabilities.</p>
<p><strong>Dr. Mark Nagler’s</strong> ambition and perseverance is told with  humour that<br />
will motivate.</p>
<p>Speaking from experience, <strong>Paul Rosen</strong>, Paralympic Gold  Medalist &amp; Sledge Hockey Goaltender, joins us to inspire through his story  of courage.</p>

<p>Special performance and speaking engagement by <strong>Justin  Hines</strong>&#8230; his words and music will move you.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.durham.ca/default.asp?nr=/corpoverview/accessibility/expo/expo.htm&amp;setFooter=/includes/corpFooter.inc" target="_new">Click here for more information</a></p>

Learn about the new law in Ontario called Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).

The Accessibility Expo is the first of its kind in Durham where the Regional and local municipal Accessibility Advisory Committees have partnered with the Region of Durham Economic Development & Tourism Department to bring our community an important event on new legislation, accessibility and abilities.

Click here for registration form. For more information, or if you require the registration form in another format, please contact Tracey Tyner Cavanagh at 1-800-372-1102 ext. 2103.

The Accessibility Expo is the first of its kind in Durham where the Regional and local municipal Accessibility Advisory Committees have partnered with the Region of Durham Economic Development & Tourism Department to bring our community an important event on new legislation, accessibility and abilities.

Robert Pio Hajjar, a charismatic, motivational speaker, who travels widely as living proof of what is possible when you include and encourage people with intellectual disabilities.

Dr. Mark Nagler’s ambition and perseverance is told with humour that
will motivate.

Speaking from experience, Paul Rosen, Paralympic Gold Medalist & Sledge Hockey Goaltender, joins us to inspire through his story of courage.

Special performance and speaking engagement by Justin Hines… his words and music will move you.

Click here for registration form. For more information, or if you require the registration form in another format, please contact Tracey Tyner Cavanagh at 1-800-372-1102 ext. 2103.

General themes included:

(From left): Break dancers, emcee Dan Carter; Township of Scugog Mayor Marilyn Pearce, Chair of Durham Region’s Finance & Administration Committee; Wayne Conrad, Omachron Science Inc.; Ajax Convention Centre filled to capacity. (Above): Keynote speaker Dr. Richard Florida speaks to attendees about creativity and the evolution of our economy.

Minavox Inc. (www.minavox.com) is a premier provider of innovative web-based video software solutions designed to enable organizations to effectively communicate with their customers or targeted demographics.

Utilizing their unique Smart Asynchronous Video Interface System (SAVISYS), Minavox offers a broad scope of online survey and analysis tools to customers primarily within the human resources, marketing and advertising, entertainment, environmental, political and educational markets.

The SAVISYS suite allows non-technical users to collect, analyze, and post video feedback in a matter of minutes. The combination of traditional feedback and video feedback is a powerful method for engaging an audience and collecting rich, meaningful data.

Richard Florida is one of the world’s leading public intellectuals. Esquire Magazine recently named him one of the “Best and Brightest”. He is author of the national and international best-selling book, The Rise of the Creative Class, which received the Washington Monthly’s Political Book Award and was cited as a major breakthrough idea by the Harvard Business Review. His ideas have been featured in major ad campaigns, such as BMW, and are being used globally to change the way regions, nations and companies compete.

He is founder of the Creative Class Group, an advisory services firm, charting new trends in business and community.

Richard is a regular correspondent for The Atlantic Monthly and a regular columnist with The Globe and Mail newspaper. He has written numerous articles for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Harvard Business Review, The Boston Globe and the Financial Times. His new book, Who’s Your City? has been hailed a National Best-Seller, an International Best-Seller and Amazon Book of the Month.

Richard has also been recently named European Ambassador for Creativity and Innovation.

He is Director of the Martin Prosperity Institute and Professor of Business and Creativity at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. Previously, Florida held professorships at Carnegie Mellon University, a visiting professor at Harvard and MIT, and a visiting fellow of the Brookings Institution. Florida earned his bachelor of arts degree from Rutgers College and his PhD from Columbia University.

It has been said that once you know you are going to live you must decide how to live. That’s what Dan Carter has done for the past 18 years. Audiences have been inspired not only by Dan’s tragic life, but his ability to overcome adversity. He has a gift to motivate people to take control of their own lives. When you hear Dan Carter speak, you truly understand that life is a journey that can take many paths.

With a personal goal to inspire hope and encourage leadership, Dan truly lives what he believes.

As a committed leader, Dan has founded several community projects that include:

• The Isobel Carter Youth Award, a foundation that awards educational grants to disadvantaged children under the age of 15.
• The funding of the Hope Centre of Learning.
• The Day of Hope & Leadership Professional Development Day.

Sue Sutcliffe has been using the Internet since 1993, and started building websites before most people even knew what they were.

Sue is always a step ahead of the game, using her discoveries to give clients cutting-edge performance on the Internet. When search engines and Google rankings first hit the market, Sue mastered search engine optimization. When Facebook became the craze, Sue showed savvy business people how to leverage social media to extend their networks. Noted speaker, web coach and social media strategist, Sue surfs the waves and explores the frontiers of cyberspace.

Sue believes it’s not what you’ve got but what you do with it that matters. Witty, passionate and clever, this dynamic entrepreneur shares her expertise with the GTA business community and her ever-broadening online network.

Dan Taylor is a self-confessed Creative Economy Geek.

After becoming the Economic Development Officer for Prince Edward County in 2001, Dan realized that he was working in a Creative (Rural) Economy, before he was aware of the language or the concept.

Since learning about the language, tools and theory, Dan became a practical researcher, student, disciple and teacher of the practice of Creative Economy Development. As a result, Prince Edward County’s economy has grown at a greater rate than that of Ontario and Canada.

Dan’s passion on the subject has driven him to collaborate with and lead a three-region Creative Economy Data Analysis and Economic Development Action Plan for Eastern Ontario, Durham Region and Southwestern Ontario.

As a result of this collaboration, Dan is expecting to be part of the formation of a new Ontario-based Creative Economy Alliance.