The English Language Arts Network (ELAN) wants to learn more about English-speaking artists living and working in Quebec regions outside Montreal.
The non-profit organization, which connects, supports, and creates opportunities for English-speaking artists and arts communities, has launched an online survey aimed at creating a profile of artists in the regions.
The goal is to address a lack of information about English-speaking artists living outside urban areas – in terms of numbers, but also regarding locations and the types of professional opportunities available to artists locally. The information gathered will be used to identify areas for improvement and different ways in which ELAN can better serve regional communities.
Francisco Gonzalez-Rosas, a research coordinator with ELAN, says the survey is an opportunity for artists in the regions “to speak up and influence how ELAN allocates its resources and tailors its support for their communities in the coming years.”
The organization already advocates on behalf of the English-language arts community with government bodies, arts funders, and community leaders on issues such as funding allocation, the adoption of equity, diversity and inclusion practices, and to ensure the unique linguistic reality of English-speaking artists is being taken into consideration.
“The survey is designed to help us better understand what these challenges look like in the regions. This way we can count on concrete data when engaging with government and other key decision-makers, and to be able to make compelling recommendations about possible solutions to these issues,” says Gonzalez-Rosas.
The survey results will primarily be used internally by ELAN; however, statistics and numbers from the survey will be shared on the organizations social media channels.
The Survey, which includes eight questions, was launched in January and will continue through mid-April. (SR)