Who
“
Every so often in the life of an organization there is a year
of upheaval and uncertainty. Here at MASC, 2017-2018 was that
year. The loss of a number of key staff and Board members, the
extended absence due to illness of our Executive Director Audrey
Churgin and the disruption of our traditional funding sources, put
enormous strain on the organization. Many organizations collapse at
this juncture of their evolution but our incredible staff, funders and
members of the community were just not ready to see that happen
and stepped up with unparalled commitment and energy. We have to
particularly mention Micheline Shoebridge and Wendy Hartley who,
while still doing their regular jobs, thankfully agreed to share the
Executive Director position. They worked tirelessly for more hours
than we thought humanly possible to bring us through to the other
side of this crisis and have imbued all staff and Board Members with
their enthusiasm to strengthen and reinvigorate MASC.
The focus on students was the initial impetus for MASC when it
was conceived almost 30 years ago, and it remains one of the pillars
of the organization. We are committed to bring new vitality and
relevance into our programming every year. The landscape of
education has changed drastically since our beginning and we will
continue to use the power of art in support of educators to address
issues that we couldn't even conceive of thirty years ago.
Since those early days, under the leadership of Jennifer Cayley
and Audrey Churgin, supported by exceptional staff, our mandate
has grown to encompass seniors and communities at risk. The
potential for growth in this area is enormous and as society
grapples with issues of inclusion, diversity and gender norms, our
challenge will be to manage that growth in a responsible and
effective way.
2017-18
The third pillar of MASC is one that is often not given the
attention it deserves outside the community. We are the
second largest employer of artists, after the National Arts
Centre, in Eastern Ontario. In real terms, that means
that artists can supplement and nurture their artistic
practise while doing exciting and relevant work
that connects them to the community and to
other artists with whom they can collaborate
and share expertise.
The potential for growth and renewal at MASC
is enormous and we are all excited that in the
spring of 2019, with the support of the City of
Ottawa, we will be embarking on an extensive
strategic planning process that will celebrate all we
have accomplished in the last thirty years and to set
our sights enthusiastically on the years to come.
“
Jane Ellens & Dan Pearlman
3
Co-chairs, Board of Directors