Leverage the Arts Ecosystem to Influence Local Prosperity A Partnership Guide for Arts Administrators and Community Builders

A stimulating intersection of opportunity and trepidation: Art and Business!

A vibrant arts sector impacts local business, citizens, youth, artists, governments--in short, everyone! Integrating unique, authentic, creative assets that flow from the arts across multiple sectors support community prosperity. Through mutually-beneficial partnerships, local stakeholders build a web of community resilience, one that is deep-rooted.

This evidence-based book lifts the veil on subtle but highly influential impacts the arts bring to all communities. It recognizes not only that artists and their artistic creativity are the foundational germ that drives the arts ecosystem, but also their impact on subsequent arts sector and non-arts sector beneficiaries. Suggested strategies and tactics guide artists, arts administrators and all ecosystem stakeholders in their support for and intersection of arts sector development, business, and community-building. A focus on local arts sector development intertwines advocacy, public relations, and partnership initiatives, with many examples illustrated through case studies, research findings, and peer reviewed articles.

A native of Mermaid, Prince Edward Island, Cate Proctor is Founder and Principal of Proctor Shift Consulting, an arts-sector-focused, evidence-based practice. Working more than 20 years in senior arts administration, creative industries, and consulting roles, she has influenced creative cultural sector development at macro and micro levels. Her business expertise includes strategic planning, public relations, communications, research, public presentations, theatre operations, festival management, and building multi-sector partnerships. Her work has advanced business development, community-building, audience engagement and non-profit operational management successfully guiding venue and event operations, ultimately advancing financial stability. She co-authored the Arts and Culture chapter in the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternative's 2020 presentation of the Alternative Federal Budget. She is a Board member for Evolution Theatre (Ottawa), Co-chair of Mass Culture's Policy and Research Working Group, and an active member of Arts Consultants Canada as well as other arts councils and advisory boards. In 2017, Cate was awarded a Canada 150 Sesquicentennial Pin by Ottawa-Vanier MP Mona Fortier for her contribution to Arts and Culture. Cate works independently or collaboratively with consulting colleagues, artists, arts organizations, academic institutions, business partners, and others. Clientele include Mass Culture, the National Arts Centre, the Canadian Dance Assembly, Canada Council for the Arts, Ottawa Cultural Alliance, Canadian Arts Presenting Association (CAPACOA), University of Ottawa, Propeller Dance, Music PEI, this town is small Inc., Artisans on Main, and others. Cate holds an Executive Master of Business Administration, a Certified International Trade Professional certificate, and post-secondary diplomas for marketing and audio production. She combines both academic and consultant-driven research findings into her first book publication to assist arts administrators and community builders in their public relations, partnership and advocacy roles. Leverage the Arts Ecosystem to Influence Local Prosperity was published in 2020. Additional information is available on Cate's LinkedIn profile or at www.proctorshiftconsulting.com.