At The Mic / Au micro Embracing Distinctiveness Through A Rural Arts Consulting Practice
Does working as an arts consultant with clients in a rural location differ in approach from working with clients in an urban setting? It can, yes. Rural and remote communities hold distinctive nuances that overlay a way of life to which arts sector development is not immune. Knowing what these nuances are and understanding how to both embrace and navigate them offers a path for stronger, webbed, resilient arts communities!
Cate Proctor (LinkedIn)
Having lived on an island on Canada’s east coast and having established Proctor Shift Consulting while there, Cate Proctor’s arts sector consultancy bridges multiple geographies. Grounded in senior arts administration and creative industry roles, her clientele ranges from rural artist collectives, festivals and municipalities to national and international projects involving multiple partners of diverse sector and artistic origins. Cate leans into arts sector development projects that centre artists within strategic and multi-sector partnerships while cultivating collaborative and trust-based relationships.
Cate is the author of Leverage the Arts Ecosystem to Influence Local Prosperity. Published in September 2020, her book offers artists, arts administrators and civic- or community-minded leaders, both strategies and tactics to centre artistic value in programming and community-building development. The book has generated much interest from across Canada, the United States and Britain and ranked #17 in Amazon Books ‘Art and Business’ category (2022).
Cate is both founding Co-Chair and member of Mass Culture’s Research Working Group and an active member of Arts Consultants Canada. Her current focus at PAL Ottawa engages an expansive team piloting a new, innovative, affordable live/work option for senior artists and arts workers.
Bridget MacIntosh
- Twitter: @bridgetannmac
- Instage: @bridgetannmac
An award-winning strategist and creative producer, Bridget has held senior municipal management positions with portfolios spanning arts, cultural policy, public art and festivals.
A trusted arts leader, she continues to work with municipalities, and organizations across Canada and internationally – engaging, questioning, facilitating, and designing to build resilient communities, networks and organizational models. Her consultancy practice is particularly focused on exploring the power of intersectoral collaboration and leveraging opportunities for cultural expression to be championed and meaningfully integrated into everyday life and protected through public policy. Bridget is the founding Co-Chair of Mass Culture’s Research Working Group, a Toronto Arts Council Cultural Leadership Lab Fellow, a Next City Vanguard and an IETM Global Connector.
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