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Closing the gap between art college and employment – GuelphToday

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Ottawa philanthropist Alan Rottenberg has a soft spot for arts students so in 2018 he started an apprenticeship program to help them find work. 

“I have two sons who were arts students and I watched them and their friends graduate,” said Rottenberg. “Half of them got jobs and started their careers. Half kind of wandered around and couldn’t get their first jobs. I thought, this is insane.”

He joined forces with the faculty of Arts and Science at Queens University and the Kingston Economic Development Corporation to establish the Queen’s Career Apprenticeship Kingston program.

“The program was up and going in 70 days and in the process of doing interviews for the first pilot,” he said. “We are now in year three.  Year one was 10. Year two was 20 and this year the target is 40 graduates.” 

Rottenberg was sure the program could work for other arts colleges. 

“It is a passion project of his and has grown on its success in Kingston,” said Christine Chapman, economic development officer for the City of Guelph. “The Dean of Arts at the University of Guelph, Samantha Brennan, ran into Alan at an event and asked him to come to Guelph and see what we had to offer here.  So here he is.”

The Guelph Arts Apprenticeship Program GAAP is a pilot program managed in partnership with the  University of Guelph and the City of Guelph’s Economic Development Department to create an incentive for local employers to hire U of G graduates straight out of college.  

“Typically it can take a couple of years for a college of arts student to find meaningful employment,” said Chapman. “What he put forward was a funding program that would help pay for four months at up to $4,000 per month to hire a college of arts grad.” 

Several business owners and students attended the program launch at the Cutten Fields Tuesday where Rottenberg talked about the success of the program and Chapman explained the application process.  

“Twenty students have already signed up for the program and there will be more students here,” said Chapman. “We have about 15 businesses already interested as well.” 

Job postings must be submitted to Experience Guelph by Jan 31 and students will have from Feb. 1 to Feb. 14 to apply.

Businesses are required to register on the GAAP site.

The program is available to U of G arts students that graduated in the 2019-2020 academic year. The business will receive a maximum grant of $4,000 per month or a maximum of $16,000 for the first four months of the one-year paid apprenticeship. 

“Employers must be within the boundary of the city of Guelph,” said Chapman. “We are looking for entry level positions that would be of keen interest to students. We are looking for creative tasks for them to do – research, critical thinking, strategy development, those types of things.” 

The program allows both employers and students to see what resources and opportunities are available.  

“We have businesses that need talented people and we have these talented people that need the jobs and then we have reality,” said Mayor Cam Guthrie.  “Yes, this pun is intended. There is a gap between those things and that is the age-old problem. How do you get a job without experience? How do you get experience without a job?” 

That gap will be closed for the 10 applicants that get accepted this year and Rottenberg is confident that number will grow and the program will build on the success of every year going forward. 

“We learned a lot of things and first of all, almost all without exception the graduates are great employees and the employers are thrilled with them as employees,” said Rottenberg. “All are still employed and have been promoted and building their careers. By the end of this spring we will have 60 or 70 young new graduates of Queens building their lives.”

GAAP is intended to give Guelph businesses an edge and encourage U of G grads to stay and build their careers here.

“This program provides a real frontline chance for people,” said Guthrie. “It’s a win-win for employers and for graduates and a huge win for Guelph and that is why I am so excited about it.  I can’t wait to start hearing the stories of success that will be coming out of the program as it continues.”

For more information visit www.uoguelph.ca/arts/gaap

 

 

 

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone  BBC.com



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Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”

On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”

The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.

Blaze in the West Wing

The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.

About Somerset House

Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.

Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.

Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.

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Sudbury art, music festival celebrating milestone

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Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.

The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.

Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”

With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.

The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.

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