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Harnessing the power of research to learn and generate new insights, enabling the arts community to be strategic, focused and adaptive.

ASOs: Positioning a Future Forward logo.

ASO Convergence Conference

January 22-24 2023

ASOs: Positioning a Future Forward

Post-conference materials

Zainub Verjee's keynote
Click to watch keynote now
Photo Gallery
Click to view photo gallery
Blog posts by Convergence Attendees
Click to read blog articles
Blog post by Creative Futures
Click to read blog article

The conference

On January 23 – 24, 2023, arts service organizations (ASOs) and ASO representatives met for a future-oriented gathering; a convergence of like-minded organizations and people.

During the two-day convergence, we discussed the findings of the Solution Pathways, sharing potential ways forward in the sector, engaging in interactive professional development workshops, and participating in collaborative transformative discussions.

The event was held at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Catalyst Space, located on the 2nd floor of 80 Gould St.

On January 22, 2023, an opening reception was held at the Arts and Letters Club of Toronto, located at 14 Elm Street, an evening of cocktails and light refreshments as we set a collaborative and positive tone for the following two-day event.

This event arose out of the ASOs: Positioning a Future Forward project.

We convened to...

…take part in a future-oriented exchange, learning more about how we might work together as an ASO community to advance the future that we envision for the Canadian arts sector.  

Connect: With a national network of peers in an intimate gathering space as well through participatory hybrid sessions.
Imagine what is possible for the future of our arts sector through artistic intervention and inspiration.

Conversation Starters

Fun fact: Zainub has made an appearance on Mass Culture's MC Minds Podcast.
Catherine Tammaro is a multi-disciplinary artist whose practise spans decades.
Get to know Catherine
The Solution Pathways occurred from Fall 2022 and concluded prior to the conference, in early Winter 2023.
Find out more about the Solution Pathways
Fun fact: Soni facilitated a Learning Stream as part of the T.R.A.I.N program.
Find out more about T.R.A.I.N
Fun fact: Gladys hosts a podcast, 'Indigenous Insights: An Evaluation Podcast'.
Click here to listen now
Lucy is an art therapist, artist, mental health therapist and community facilitator
Get to know Lucy
Fun fact: Mariel is the founder and CEO of Tandem, a woman-led, purpose-oriented company making date night easy.
Find out more here
Tara and Andrew join us from PAA Advisory | Conseils, a national public affairs and strategic communications firm.
Find out more about PAA Advisory | Conseils
Heather and Jessica join us from Creative Futures, which helps public, nonprofit, and socially-minded leaders plan and prepare for their future.
Find out more about Creative Futures
Previous slide
Next slide
Fun fact: Zainub has made an appearance on Mass Culture's MC Minds Podcast.
Click here to listen now
Catherine Tammaro is a multi-disciplinary artist whose practise spans decades.
Get to know Catherine
The Solution Pathways occurred from Fall 2022 and concluded prior to the conference, in early Winter 2023.
Find out more about the Solution Pathways.
Fun fact: Soni facilitated a Learning Stream as part of the T.R.A.I.N program.
Find out more about T.R.A.I.N.
Fun fact: Gladys hosts a podcast, 'Indigenous Insights: An Evaluation Podcast'.
Click here to listen now.
Lucy is an art therapist, artist, mental health therapist and community facilitator
Get to know Lucy.
Fun fact: Mariel is the founder and CEO of Tandem, a woman-led, purpose-oriented company making date night easy.
Find out more here.
Tara and Andrew join us from PAA Advisory | Conseils, a national public affairs and strategic communications firm.
Find out more about PAA Advisory | Conseils.
Heather and Jessica join us from Creative Futures, which helps public, nonprofit, and socially-minded leaders plan and prepare for their future.
Find out more about Creative Futures.
Previous slide
Next slide
Fun fact: Zainub has made an appearance on Mass Culture's MC Minds Podcast.
Click to listen
Catherine Tammaro is a multi-disciplinary artist whose practice spans decades.
Get to know Catherine
Click for Solution Pathways
Fun fact: Soni facilitated a Learning Stream as part of the T.R.A.I.N program.
Find out more
Fun fact: Gladys hosts 'Indigenous Insights: An Evaluation Podcast'.
Listen now
Lucy is an art therapist, artist, mental health therapist and community facilitator.
Get to know Lucy
Fun fact: Mariel is the founder and CEO of Tandem.
Find out more
Tara and Andrew join us from PAA Advisory | Conseils.
Find out more
Heather and Jessica join us from Creative Futures.
Find out more
Previous slide
Next slide

Production Team

  • Robin Sokoloski, Co-Producer
  • Jacoba Knaapen, Co-Producer
  • Shawn Newman, Creative Director
  • Kathryn Geertsema, Communications
  • Gillian Cade, Logistics
  • Charissa Wilcox, Stage Manager
  • Bridget MacIntosh, Hybrid Stage Manager

This event is made possible through the support of the following

Canada Council for the Arts logo.
Toronto Metropolitan University.
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Sector Partners

In attendance

Association for Opera in Canada.
Canada Council for the Arts logo.
Toronto Arts Council logo

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Land Acknowledgment
Mass Culture honours and acknowledges the territories upon which our offices reside, the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Métis, and the Anishinabek, including the Mississaugas of the New Credit Nation. We recognize and respect all recorded and unrecorded Nations who cared for this land of Tkaronto, meaning “Where the Trees Meet the Water.” We honour the Dish With One Spoon treaty and our responsibility to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. Mass Culture is grateful for the opportunity to nurture the world of the arts and connect cultures and communities across this land, which is the home to many Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We hope to breathe life into our obligations to those communities and treaties. If you’re not sure of the history of the land on which you live and work, you can check out whose.land/en/ and native-land.ca/.
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