MANITOULIN—With anticipated operating funding not being provided this year, 4elements Living Arts is seeking public input on what they should focus on as well as strategies on how to get there. In the meantime, the group has formed a plan that will mean an expanded annual Elemental Festival this fall.
“We held a strategic planning discussion with members after our annual general meeting (held March 18),” said Susan Snelling, president of 4e. In past years, 4e has been recipients of Ontario Arts Council (OAC) operating funding, but the organization has been informed it will not receive this funding in 2023-2024. “There is no question that this will impact our future plans.” She explained at the close of its annual meeting, “The meeting was opened up for community input on the direction 4e could consider and how they could address the very real capacity and resource limitations we are facing.”
In prior years the funding provided by OAC has gone toward operating costs for 4e and the group is very grateful for receiving this support. “So, we want to get peoples’ thoughts as to where we are now, what we should focus on and strategies to help us get there.”
“Yes, there are a lot of small non-profit organizations that are not receiving funding this year,” said Ms. Snelling. “One thing that was emphasized at our meeting is that we need to collaborate and work in partnership with other groups and organizations. And one partnership we already have in place involves the annual Elemental Festival taking place September 20-21, 2024.”
“We are collaborating with NorthWords Festival of Words hosted by the Billings Library,” announced Ms. Snelling. “They were saying their members were feeling tired and stretched out, the same way we feel, so we are joining together to have an expanded arts and literacy program as part of the annual festival. It really makes sense for us to work together. By partnering, the festival will be bigger and broader and work with existing volunteer capacity.”
“We will be exploring other partnerships and getting further input on what we should be focusing on and are asking for more public input,” said Ms. Snelling.
“We want 4e to do well and we need new people and ideas to help take us there,” said Ms. Snelling.
At the 4e annual meeting, Ms. Snelling provided the president’s report in part. “4elements Living Arts is pleased to be delivering our vision and mission: engaged experiences of land, arts and community.” The 4e mission “is to nurture and inspire community engagement in land-based arts on Manitoulin Island.”
“In 2022-2023, 4elements has continued with our artist in residence program, taking place in our mobile studio. The mobile studio is a live/workspace for artist residencies, allowing artists to spend a period of time immersed in a location to do land-based work,” said Ms. Snelling.
“Spencer Rice was our third artist in residence in the mobile studio, staying in Wiikwemkoong for their time with us in the fall of 2023. This residency was supported through an Ontario Arts Council Visual Arts grant. Spencer is an Indigenous visual artist who developed their technique and offered workshops as art of their residency.”
“In September 2023, we offered the Elemental Festival in Kagawong and welcomed more than 300 community members to the festival,” continued Ms. Snelling. “Candice Irwin provided amazing coordination for the festival,” she said, acknowledging her work and the work of volunteers. “The festival featured many remarkable performers and a special fundraising dinner offered by Mast. 4e received funding from the Canadian Heritage Local Festivals Fund and Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation) to support Elemental Festival.”
“With funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, 4e has been offering arts workshops, exploring online and in-person options for delivering arts programming,” said Ms. Snelling, who acknowledged the efforts of Lauren Satok and collaborators and Helen Siksek for providing two fascinating series of workshops.
Ms. Snelling praised Stephanie Hahn and Sharon Hunter who provided leadership for 4e in 2022-2023.
“Finally, a special note of thanks to Barbara Baker, Sharon Alkenbrack, Carly Valiente and Helen Siksek, dedicated board members who have recently finished their terms, or are finishing tonight,” continued Ms. Snelling. “Non-profit arts organizations run on the time and effort of volunteers, and people who are willing to take on the responsibilities of board service deserve our thanks and gratitude. Barbara, Carly, Sharon and Helen, we appreciate everything you contributed, and 4elements is stronger for your contributions. We wish you all the best.”
“We are pleased to say that our communities continue to engage with land-based arts, and we know that 2024 will be a time for exploration of effective ways to bring land, arts and community together,” added Ms. Snelling.
