Genesis
In March 2018, the Canadian Arts Coalition (CAC) asked the Minister of Finance for significant funding over 3 years to develop policies, procedures, tools and resources to ensure respectful workplaces in the arts, free of harassment of any kind. CHRC was asked by the CAC (including Live Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Crafts, and Literary Arts organizations) to take the lead on developing a project in line with this funding request.
The project, Respectful Workplaces in the Arts, addresses harassment in the workplace, including sexual harassment, bullying, discrimination and violence. CHRC is working in collaboration with national arts service organizations (NASOs) and other leaders in the sector in equity-seeking groups. Respectful Workplaces in the Arts will ensure that artists and arts organizations across Canada have the tools, resources and training to prevent harassment of any kind, and build respectful workplaces as the norm in the cultural sector.
The project is funded by the Canada Council for the Arts (phase 1) and the Strategic Initiatives component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage (phase 2).
CHRC is leading the project, working with a Coordinating Committee of NASOs and leaders from equity-seeking communities, chaired by Richard Hornsby who is Chair of CHRC. In Phase 1, Working Groups were established to guide research and tool and resource development in the areas of: training, reporting mechanisms for harassment victims, sample codes of ethics and Board composition.
Phase 2 will include train-the-trainer sessions (in English and in French) to prepare trainers from the sector to develop and deliver discipline specific workshops on harassment. The workshops will be subsequent to and build on the information, tools and resources of the current proposal. It will start in January 2019.
Respectful Workplaces in the Arts -
CHRC Press Release
April 24, 2018
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Respectful Workplaces in the Arts -
Update
August 2018
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