ISPA’s 100th congress, to be held in Montréal, is now less than a month away. Coinciding with 150 years of Canadian independence, and 375 years since Québec’s largest city was founded, the congress is programmed under the theme ‘Identities’. Canadian playwright Michel Marc Bouchard will give the keynote address at host venue Place des Arts, where the majority of the events will take place.
Speaking at the 100th Congress London launch, ISPA CEO David Baile, said: “The theme of Identities is relevant to Québec culture, but also to what’s going on in the world. The congress will examine how different cultures bring different artists to work with existing organisations and look at how we are embracing immigration and refugees around the world, and how we are using music and arts to welcome them into our communities.”
Sessions include ‘Identity, Diversity and Creativity’; ‘Production: New Practices to Cross Borders’; ‘In Search of an Audience: Are all Stories Universal?’; ‘Education, Outreach and Inclusion: Projects that Create Identity’ and a special panel on ‘Funding Models: Embracing Diversity and Identity’ featuring speakers Simon Brault (Canada Council for the Arts, Canada); Jane Chu (National Endowment for the Arts, US); and Henriëtte Post (Performing Arts Fund NL, Netherlands).
ISPA has also announced details of the Montréal performance schedule, with Middle Eastern ensemble Constantinople, klezmer band Kleztory and Daniel Leveille Dance all on the bill. ISPA delegates also have the chance to get discounted tickets for Cirque du Soleil’s Volta, a dance triple bill from Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, the opening performance of Festival TransAmériques and a Kent Nagano-led Shostakovich concert at Maison symphonique de Montréal.
Other items on the agenda include a visit to Cité des arts du cirque (TOHU) and a performance by the National Circus School, as well as a closing party at the elegant Mount Royal Chalet.